Mara
The morning Lucian left, I felt like my chest was caving in. But I couldn’t show it.
I couldn’t be the weak link in our bond.
I had almost lost my mind the last time he left on a mission, and I swore I wouldn’t unravel again. So I stood tall, pressed my shoulders back, and smiled through the ache as I faced the press.
I announced his illness with calm authority. It spread through Mooncrest quickly, whispers, speculation, sympathy. Meanwhile, I prayed every night that he would return and speak for himself. That he’d walk through the door and make it all go away.
Suspending operations at Steel Corp was brutal. Not just for me, for everyone. People were scared. Angry. Hungry. But when I explained it, when I stood before the cameras and explained our decision, our caution, they liste
