Chapter song: Personne d'autre que moi - Barbara Pavi
Lucien stared at his screen for what felt like hours. His vision went in and out as he focused on the caller ID.
A strange numbness overtook him as the familiar ringing cut through the air, sounding more shrill than usual. It was that same feeling of unease he got whenever his mother called. Her calls were always a promise of bad news. And as he held his phone so tight his knuckles turned white, he could feel Kenneth's gaze on him.
For the first time ever, he suddenly wished the Anchor wasn't around. The last thing he wanted was for Kenneth to see the effect his mother had on him. He tended to not act like himself when it came to the woman who birthed him.
It wasn't like he hated his mother. Honestly, he didn't think he was capable of hating her. But that didn't mean he was fond of her either. Lucien sighed as he picked up the call. What horrible timing.
"Hello—"
"Why did it take you so long to answer the phone?"
