Chapter 17: What Did I Just Hear?

Chapter 17: What Did I Just Hear? Seraphina’s POV There was something different about the way he spoke. It was not soft. Just... less sharp and less cold. It almost felt like he was concerned. If Lucien was even capable of that. I didn’t trust it. I didn’t trust him. I just didn’t want to. But my body leaned into him anyway, like it didn’t care what my brain was screaming. Asher’s eyes dropped to the wounds on my arms, the dried blood, the bruises on my skin that hadn’t even started healing. His jaw twitched. His fists clenched, opened, clenched again like he couldn’t decide whether to break something or say something. But he didn’t do either. He just stood there, silently as always. He was too fucking useless. If he had just talked to me softly and asked me to go back with him, I might have done that. But he had not changed at all. I stared at him, something bitter pooling under my tongue. I was tired of men showing up when the damage was already done. I was tired of being dragged between them like a burden they didn’t know how to carry. Lucien was still holding my hand, and Asher was still pretending like that didn’t bother him. "Mr. Lan," I said, my voice cracking like dry glass. "If you have nothing to say, then please excuse me." I didn’t look at him again. I didn’t have the strength to peel open another wound. I instead looked at Lucien wordlessly and desperately for him to just take me away from here. Away from Asher and from all of it. My body ached. My mind was fractured. I didn’t want another Lancaster pretending like they gave a damn now. But the moment I blinked, a voice cut through the silence. "Captain." I stiffened. A group of soldiers walked in, polished boots, rigid postures, and saluted Asher with a disciplined manner. They stopped in front of Asher, giving him full respect. "We’ve cleared the area," one of them reported. "All suspects have been handed over to the military police. They’ll be dealt with for hurting your sister, Captain." Your sister. That word made my stomach twist. The soldier glanced around the room, scanning faces to find out something. But then his eyes landed on me and Lucien. "But I can’t seem to find your sister," he added with uncertainty in his voice. "Miss, are you one of the victims?" I held his stare for a moment. My lips were cracked. My face burned with old blood and salty tears. But my voice came out steady and sharp enough to be heard by them. "Yes," I said. "I’m one of those victims. I paused before continuing. "And if you need a statement, I’ll give it." I didn’t glance at Asher. I just didn’t need to. Asher just stood there stiff and silent. His silence felt like a punishment to me. There was no guilt or shame, just... nothing. Like I didn’t exist. He couldn’t even say the words. He couldn’t even look me in the eye and admit that I was his sister. But who cared? If they wouldn’t give it to me, I’d take it. One day, I’d make all three of my brothers bow to me—publicly, without hesitation. I would make them admit it. They’d say I was their sister. And they’d dote on me like I was the blood they never deserved. "Let’s go," Lucien said, his voice low as he wrapped an arm around my waist to steady me. I flinched. No one had ever touched me in such a way. It was warm and cozy. Nothing like when I had been abused in my past life. I looked at Lucien and met his gaze, but nothing came out of my mouth. I was too tired to resist. We barely took a single step when Asher’s voice cut through the silence behind us. "Wait..." Lucien didn’t stop walking until I did. I turned slowly. Asher was approaching in his soldier-disciplined manner. He stopped in front of me and held out a bottle of water. "Here. Take it." I stared at the bottle as if it was something precious. He was giving me water now out of the blue? Just what had gotten into him? My throat was raw. My lips were cracked. And still, I didn’t move. "I know I don’t deserve your love," he said in tight voice. "Not after what I’ve done... or didn’t do for you. But I’m going to try. I’ll make an effort to make it up to you." I blinked at him, unsure if I was hallucinating. Then his eyes shifted to Lucien, his gaze was firm like he was laying down some kind of claim. "You can take her with you for now," Asher said. "But I will be bringing her back home very soon." ...What? What the actual hell did I just hear? My mind short-circuited. I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. My brain couldn’t catch up. Asher? Bringing me home? As if I had one? Was this some kind of joke? Was this even real? Lucien didn’t say a word. He just stood beside me like a stone. And I stood between the two of them, too stunned to breathe. I took the bottle of water without a word. My fingers brushed against Asher’s as I grabbed it, and for some reason... it made me feel elated. I turned away quickly before it could show on my face. I didn’t really care what made him change his mind. Whether it was guilt or a sudden burst of conscience or whatever. I knew he wasn’t the type of person to express it. And yet... he was here now. That alone felt like some twisted miracle. We hadn’t even made it three steps when I heard low and careless words. "Tell me, was that your girlfriend?" I didn’t turn around. But I heard the crack in Asher’s voice when he snapped, "Shut up."