His Heir, Her Secret - Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Isla
I spent the next few days caught in a whirlwind of emotions, torn between wanting to keep Lucien at arm’s length and feeling an undeniable pull towards him. It wasn’t just his words that got to me; it was the way he behaved around Leo. The way he cared for him, played with him, and showed up—despite the past. It all felt so… genuine. But I couldn’t shake the doubt that lingered in the back of my mind.
Lucien had never been the kind of person who stuck around. I knew that. I had seen firsthand how easy it was for him to walk away when things got difficult. And now, after all this time, was he really different? Or was this just another game? A way for him to fix what he had broken, only to walk away again once he got what he wanted?
The thought gnawed at me every night as I lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Leo would be fine. He had me. I was everything he needed. But Lucien? He was a wildcard. And I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of impact he’d have on Leo’s life if I let him back in.
It was easy to tell myself that I was doing the right thing by keeping my guard up. After all, I had survived this long without him. But deep down, I knew I was lying to myself. I had missed him—more than I was willing to admit.
I needed answers. I needed to know if Lucien had really changed. I couldn’t just take him at his word. Not after everything.
I found myself standing in the kitchen late that night, staring out the window. The city lights below twinkled like distant stars, but all I could think about was what had brought us here. Lucien had always been a mystery, even back when we first met. His world was a complex web of power, influence, and danger. I had known that when I fell in love with him. But now, as a mother, I couldn’t afford to ignore the reality of his world.
I heard the faint sound of footsteps approaching behind me, and then the familiar scent of his cologne filled the room. I didn’t turn around. Instead, I continued to watch the lights flicker in the distance, pretending like I wasn’t already aware of his presence.
“I’ve been thinking,” Lucien said, his voice low and measured. “I know I’ve made mistakes. But I want to be here for you. For Leo.”
I didn’t respond immediately, my mind racing. Was this real? Or was he just playing a part?
“I don’t know if I can just forgive you,” I said quietly, still not turning to face him. “I can’t pretend that everything is fine, Lucien. I can’t just forget the past.”
He was silent for a moment, and then I felt him move closer, his presence suddenly overwhelming. He was standing just behind me now, close enough for me to feel the warmth of his body, but far enough that it didn’t feel like an invasion. Still, I couldn’t help but feel the pull of his closeness.
“I’m not asking you to forget,” he said softly, his voice laced with sincerity. “I’m asking you to trust me again. To let me show you that I’m here for good.”
I closed my eyes, trying to push down the surge of emotions that threatened to overwhelm me. I had always been the one to handle everything, to take care of Leo on my own. But now, with Lucien standing here, offering something I had never imagined—his commitment—I didn’t know how to react.
I turned to face him then, and for a moment, we simply stared at each other. His eyes were dark, serious, as if he were pleading with me without saying a word. And for the first time in a long time, I didn’t see the man who had hurt me. I saw the man who was standing here, vulnerable, asking for a chance to make things right.
But could I trust him? Could I really let him back into our lives after everything?
“I don’t know if I can,” I whispered, the words heavy with uncertainty. “I don’t know if I’m ready to let you back in.”
His gaze softened, and he took a step forward, closing the space between us. His hand reached out, and I didn’t pull away as his fingers brushed against mine. It was a tentative gesture, an unspoken promise that he wasn’t going anywhere.
“I’m not asking you to be ready right now,” he said quietly, his thumb gently stroking my hand. “I just want you to know that I’m here. And when you’re ready, I’ll be waiting.”
I stared at him for a long moment, the weight of his words sinking in. It was terrifying, this uncertainty. But there was also something comforting about the fact that he wasn’t rushing me. He wasn’t demanding anything. He was simply there, waiting for me to make up my mind.
“I don’t know if I can trust you,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I want to. I really do.”
Lucien’s expression softened, and he squeezed my hand gently. “Then take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”
The words hung in the air between us, heavy with promise and doubt. I wasn’t sure if I could ever fully forgive him. I wasn’t sure if I could let go of the fear that he would hurt me again. But one thing was certain—I wasn’t ready to let him go just yet.
I didn’t know where this would lead. I didn’t know if Lucien could really change. But for the first time in a long time, I felt like I had the possibility of a future—one that didn’t feel like it was just me and Leo against the world.
I squeezed his hand in return, the first real sign of trust I had shown him in years. It was small, but it was a start.
“I’m still scared,” I whispered, looking up into his eyes. “But I’m willing to try.”
Lucien smiled, a rare, soft smile that spoke volumes of the relief and hope flooding through him. “That’s all I can ask for.”
And in that moment, I allowed myself to believe that maybe, just maybe, this time could be different.