I Was Hoping She Would Notice but again Now When She Did... Im Tired

Chapter 154 - 154: Olivia

"So, what is it, Mother? And… well, Rose?" Lucian asked softly, letting out a small sigh.

He shifted uncomfortably on the couch, his posture stiff. With both women seated on either side of him, their eyes intently focused on his face, the moment felt uncomfortably intimate. The silence that followed only made it worse, the weight of their expectant gazes pressing on him like a stone.

Olivia was the first to break the silence. "Actually, there's a lot to talk about," she said, her voice calm but measured. "But first… tell me, how was your day?"

Lucian hesitated, his gaze flickering toward her briefly before looking away. He ran a hand through his hair, stalling. "It was… okay, I guess," he replied, his tone flat and unconvincing.

The truth was far from "okay." Today had been a whirlwind, full of chaos and decisions he wasn't ready to process, let alone share. Something in his gut told him it wasn't a good idea to tell these two the truth not now, at least.

Rose, sitting quietly beside him, suddenly spoke up, her voice soft but deliberate. "How's it going with the Avey matter?" she asked, her tone casual yet probing.

Lucian turned his head to look at her, his brows furrowing slightly in confusion. Rose, of all people, asking about this? It felt off completely out of character. Her question caught him off guard, especially since she rarely showed interest in his personal affairs.

"I told you I've given up on her," Lucian answered, his tone clipped. He leaned back against the couch, crossing his arms defensively.

Rose's reaction was subtle, but telling. For a split second, a flicker of shock passed through her expression, her usually composed features betraying her surprise. Olivia must've mentioned this to her earlier, but hearing it confirmed by Lucian himself was a different matter altogether.

He really gave up on Avey? The thought struck her like a hammer. While a part of her struggled to process the idea, another part one she wasn't ready to acknowledge felt an unfamiliar, inexplicable relief. Her face, however, remained neutral, masking the swirl of emotions within. She simply nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Olivia, ever the observant one, decided to steer the conversation. "Did you have fun with your friends today?" she asked, her tone light but purposeful, her gaze lingering on him.

Lucian shifted in his seat again, clearly uneasy. "Umm… ugh, well, great, I guess. But why?" he stammered, his confusion growing. Their line of questioning was throwing him off balance.

The way they looked at him like they were holding back something only made him feel more on edge. Their behavior wasn't just strange; it was downright unsettling.

As if seeking an escape, his eyes darted around the room, landing on the array of gift boxes scattered across the tables. His brows knitted together as he took in the sight once more. The bright ribbons and wrapping paper looked so out of place in the minimalist decor of the house.

"What… what's all this?" he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion. His gaze shifted between Olivia and Rose,