The opulent penthouse suite, usually a symbol of Lucian’s power, now felt like a gilded cage. Rain lashed against the panoramic windows, mirroring the tempest raging within Ava. She stood opposite Lucian, the city lights painting stark shadows across his face, highlighting the sharp angles and the unyielding resolve in his eyes. The air crackled with unspoken words, with years of secrets, with the potent, undeniable attraction that had been their undoing and, perhaps, their salvation.