the house was eerily quiet that afternoon the kind of Silence that makes you notice the hum of the fridge or the birds singing outside I sat alone in the living room flipping through a magazine without really reading it my husband Ryan was away on another business trip I wasn't bothered it was routine by now but the emptiness felt more overwhelming than usual I glanced at my phone hoping for a message or call but there was nothing the silence highlighted how predictable my life had become routine had become a comfort but also a barrier I loved
Ryan or at least I thought I did but over time something had shifted passion had turned into comfort and comfort had become complacency the sound of a car door shutting broke the silence I peaked through the window to see my nephew Lucas walking towards the house he was Ryan's younger brother's son I opened the door to find Lucas my nephew standing on the porch with a confident smile hey Lucas what brings you here I asked hiding my surprise Uncle Ryan asked me to pick up some documents he left behind he replied his eyes sparkling with
Charisma hope it's not a bad time I stepped aside letting him in not at all come on in as he entered I noticed how effortlessly he moved bringing a burst of energy into the room he tossed his bag onto the couch and glanced around nice place as always you've got great taste Aunt I chuckled dismissing the compliment flattery won't get you out of trouble what documents are you after Lucas Shrugged something about property papers I think as he headed to the study I found myself reflecting on how different he was from Ryan Lucas was spontaneous
charming and unapologetically self- assured traits that had been missing from my life for a long time I shook off the thought feeling a bit silly he was family after all but then Lucas returned with the papers his sleeves rolled up to reveal a tattoo on his forearm Lucas caught me staring at his tattoo and smirked you like it he asked his eyes sparkling with Amusement it's interesting I replied feeling a bit embarrassed we sat down and chatted for a while sharing stories and laughter Lucas's Tales were Lively and humorous a stark contrast to the mon
I'd grown accustomed to for a moment I forgot about everything else my husband my responsibilities the unspoken rules of propriety it was just Lucas and me two people sharing a connection I couldn't quite Define our conversation flowed naturally filling the room with a warmth I hadn't experienced in years Lucas leaned back on the couch his eyes meeting mine a moment too long as he spoke there was something about the way he listened genuinely interested in every word I said that was disarming almost intoxicating at one point Lucas reached for the glass of water on the
coffee table and our hands accidentally touched the contact was brief but it left a lingering sensation in my mind I instinctively pulled back laughing it off but I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks are you Lucas asked his voice trailing off as he studied me with an INT intensity that made my heart skip a beat Lucas's tone was casual but his eyes searched mine intensely of course I said quickly standing up to create some distance it's just warm in here that's all I busied myself in the kitchen trying to shake off the tension
but I could sense Lucas's presence even from across the room when I turned back he was standing in the doorway leaning against the frame with effortless confidence you seem different today he remarked his voice softer different how I tried to sound indifferent Lucas's words caught me off guard I don't know maybe more alive there was sincerity in his tone that made it hard to dismiss as flattery I felt seen in a way I hadn't in a long time and it frightened me Lucas you should probably go soon I said finally avoiding his gaze why he
asked stepping closer I quickly replied no reason just he pressed his eyes into mine and I didn't have an answer or maybe I did but I couldn't bring myself to voice it the air between us felt charged heavy with unspoken words and unacknowledged feelings Lucas was standing too close now and I felt my resolve weakening this isn't right I whispered more to myself than to Lucas I know he said his voice low and steady but doesn't it feel right I looked up at him my heart racing in my chest for a moment the rest of
the world faded away it was just the two of us suspended in a moment that felt both impossible and inevitable Lucas reached out his hand brushing against mine I didn't pull away the rooms seemed to contract around us the distance between Vanishing as if it had never been there my mind screamed at me to stop to step back to consider the consequences but I couldn't move just as the tension peaked the sound of the front door opening shattered the moment my heart leapt into my throat as Lucas and I quickly separated both turning toward the
noise my nephew Lucas's cousin stood in the doorway his expression a mix of confusion and suspicion hey Lucas said slowly his eyes darting between us am I interrupting something no of course not I replied forcing a laugh that felt Hollow even to me Lucas was about to leave he was just grabbing some papers for me Lucas addressed his cousin with a casual grin yeah that's right his cousin Tyler raised an eyebrow clearly not convinced while I tried to compose myself Lucas turned to leave his eyes locking onto mine for a brief charged moment guess it's
good timing then Tyler said his voice neutral Uncle asked me to stop by and pick up the same papers my stomach churned as I realized Lucas's excuse had been exposed Tyler's presence was a stark reminder of the line I had nearly crossed and shame washed over me like a wave I think there's been a misunderstanding I said quickly desperate to regain control of the situation Lucas already has the documents you don't need to be here Tyler didn't move his eyes narrowing slightly funny he didn't mention you'd be here Lucas Shrugged his easy demeanor unchanged I
didn't think it mattered we were just catching up nothing more the words hung in the air seemingly harmless on the surface but loaded with unspoken meaning Tyler seemed to sense it his his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than was comfortable well I'll let you two continue he said finally his tone clipped as he turned and walked back out the door leaving it slightly ajar behind him the ensuing silence was overwhelming Lucas looked at me his expression unreadable
