Chapter 20: First Step

Lucian exited the hotel with light steps, the bouquet of rare Kadupul flowers hanging limply from his hand, their once-precious value now meaningless. His heart felt as if it had been weighed down by lead, the emptiness in his chest mirroring the hollow look in his eyes. He barely noticed the curious glances from passersby, the way they quietly observed him with pity.To the outside world, he looked like a young man whose heart had just been broken, rejected by the one he'd hoped to impress.

The flowers, once meant to symbolize his love and dedication, now swung loosely at his side, as if they too had lost their purpose.

He walked past the bustling street with his head slightly down, every step feeling heavier than the last. The noise of the world around him chatter, cars, the clinking of glasses from nearby cafes faded into a distant hum, leaving Lucian lost in his own thoughts.

His once-straight posture, the confident air he used to carry, was gone, replaced by a man who had lost not just a love but the belief in love itself.

Ring ring.

The sudden sound of his phone broke through his thoughts. Lucian's eyes shifted down, confused. He reached into his pocket, pulling out the phone, staring at the screen for a moment.

Mom.

The name blinked on the screen. His mother. In his last life, she rarely called him unless it was something transactional, something she needed from him. Not once did she call to check in on him out of concern, out of love. And certainly not at this point in time this was the moment when she was too consumed with her own life to care about her son's feelings.

He could still remember the sting of her indifference, the subtle jabs, and how it had chipped away at him over the years.

Lucian's footsteps slowed until he came to a complete stop. He stared at the phone for a moment longer, his hand hovering over the screen. His breath hitched slightly. Should I answer? The thought crossed his mind, but he shook his head. No, I know how this goes.

His thumb swiped across the screen, not to answer, but to silence it. Without hesitation, Lucian walked over to a nearby trash can, the phone still vibrating weakly in his hand. Without a second thought, he tossed the phone into the bin, hearing the soft thud as it hit the bottom.

"There we go. Let's start with cutting ties with all the toxic people," he muttered to himself. His voice was low but determined. For years, he had held on, hoping foolishly that things would change, that somehow his family would love him the way he had always loved them. But now, standing here, back in time with the knowledge of what was to come, Lucian had made his first real choice.

No more hoping. No more waiting. No more suffering.

The few people who saw him throw his phone away exchanged glances but said nothing. In this part of the city, everyone was too well-off to bother digging through the trash, and none of them cared enough to intervene. To them, it was just another person with his own drama.

Lucian felt a weight lift off his chest as if that simple action had cut one of the chains holding him down. For the first time in a long while, he felt free.

He spread his arms wide as if embracing the fresh air, the bouquet still in hand. "Now I feel lighter…" He whispered to himself, a small, bitter smile tugging at his lips. "I don't have to answer to anyone anymore. No obligations, no missions. Just me."

For the first time, there was no weight of expectation or pressure. No more playing the part of the obedient son, the dutiful brother, or the lovesick fool. Lucian felt the strange sensation of freedom, the kind that came with knowing he owed no one anything.

With a sense of newfound purpose, Lucian walked toward the parking lot of the hotel. It had been years since he'd driven this particular car, but memories flooded back. He scanned the rows of luxury vehicles until his eyes landed on a sleek black beauty parked at the far end.

A smile tugged at his lips as he approached it, his fingers already itching to touch the gleaming surface. "How could I forget you?" he murmured as his hand brushed against the side of the car. Sёarch* The novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

The car before him was a raven black 1966 Ford Mustang convertible, the paint so polished that it reflected the sky above. Lucian chuckled softly to himself, recalling how he and Jimmy had spent countless hours modifying this masterpiece. It was more than just a car it was a piece of art, something they had poured their hearts into.

The roar of its engine, the smoothness of its ride, and the power it held beneath the hood had always thrilled him.

"God, it feels good to see you again," he whispered as his hand ran along the car's body. His fingers felt the smooth metal, and an electric excitement ran through him.

Lucian hopped into the car, not bothering to open the door. He vaulted into the driver's seat over the side, landing smoothly as he dropped into the plush leather. The top was already down, so he could feel the sun on his face, the slight breeze ruffling his hair. He tossed the bouquet onto the passenger seat carelessly, like a memory he was trying to forget.

As soon as he inserted the key into the ignition, the engine roared to life. Furrr… Kachh kachh kurrr, the deep, guttural sound of the Mustang's engine echoed through the lot, reverberating off the concrete walls. It wasn't just any sound it was the sound of raw power, the kind of roar that turned heads and made hearts race.

Lucian couldn't help but grin. That sound it was the only thing that could make him feel alive right now. He pressed his foot on the gas, and the engine responded with a thunderous boom that sent a shiver down his spine.

People turned to stare, their eyes wide with envy and awe as the car's deep rumble filled the air. Men passing by paused, unable to tear their eyes away from the black beauty, their faces painted with admiration.

Lucian gripped the steering wheel, feeling the vibrations from the engine beneath him. His mind was no longer clouded with the thoughts of betrayal and lost love. For this brief moment, it was just him and the car, a rare escape from the storm inside his head.

"Let's go for a ride, shall we?" he muttered to the car, his smile widening as he revved the engine one last time. He didn't care where he was headed, didn't care about the past or the future. Right now, he was in control, and it felt damn good.

He pulled out of the lot, the Mustang's tires squealing as they hit the pavement. The car roared onto the street, the engine singing a symphony of power and freedom. As Lucian sped down the road, the wind whipping through his hair, he couldn't help but laugh.

For the first time, he felt like he could breathe.

No more toxic people. No more heartbreak. No more living for others.

Just him, his car, and the open road ahead.