For months, Erven had been living in Lucas's penthouses, a daily routine filled with quiet routines, careful movements, and a form of security he had never felt before. Everything was provided for him. Food, clothes, medicine, even a maid who did all the work so that Erven didn't have to lift a finger unless he wanted to.
It felt strange, being cared for like that. Strange in a way that made his chest feel tight every time he thought about it for too long.
Lucas often went far away. Sometimes for business in the city, sometimes abroad for things Erven didn't dare ask. But every time without fail Lucas would return to the penthouses to rest for a few days... And every time he came home... Erven felt something... Warmth and fear. Gratitude and longing. A mixture of feelings that were painful.
That evening, when the doorbell rang (ting dong), Erven didn't think anything of it... Maybe it was a food delivery... Maybe the maid had left something behind... He walked slowly towards the door, still wearing Lucas's big sweater... there was still Lucas' scent clinging to his clothes...
But when the door opened, his breath stopped.
A man stood there, an omega but not like Erven.. Tall, neat, face like a magazine model. Confidence radiated from the way he stood.. A dominant aura that was not rough, but very organized and charming.
Nathan: "Hello."
A charming smile with arranged teeth appeared on his lips..
Nathan: "Lucas Fabian is there?"
Erven paused for a moment hearing Lucas' full name...
Erven: "He… he's not there. He's abroad."
Swallowed.
Erven: "Who are you?"
Pushed his sunglasses back on his head.
Nathan: "Hi, I'm Cendric Nathan, Lucas' fiancé."
The words stabbed Erven in the chest.
Erven: "F-fiance? You, are you engaged to him?"
Nathan: "Of course.. He didn't tell you?"
Looking Erven up and down with a sarcastic expression.
Nathan: "And who are you? His maid?"
His voice cracked softly.
Erven: "No… I'm not an assistant. I… I…"
Nathan, who was lazy about wasting time with Erven, immediately stopped the conversation right there..
Nathan: "Neverminds, it doesn't matter, just tell Lucas I'm coming, we have to finalize our wedding arrangements. Okay? Bye."
Nathan turned and walked away… as if he hadn't just broken someone's heart…
Erven still stood there, his fingers trembling. It felt colder, His heart beating so hard that it hurt his ears..
Fiancée.
Lucas has a fiancée.
A beautiful omega. Confident. Elegant. High status. Someone who is a match for Lucas. Of course it makes sense.
So…
Why did Lucas ever talk about me carrying his child?
Why did he hold my chin that night in a low and warm voice?
Why did he say words that an alpha shouldn't say to someone he doesn't want?
Why did he protect me like something important?
All of that… was just a joke?
Temporary desire?
Or no meaning at all?
I closed the door slowly, leaned against him and fell to the floor. His chest hurt. I pressed my hand to his chest, but it didn't help at all.
Maybe he was just talking at the time.
Maybe he didn't mean it.
Maybe I misunderstood… everything.
Why did Lucas choose me?
A worn-out, scared, and traumatized omega?
The one found dirty and damaged?
The one still shocked by the sound of loud footsteps?
I'm not beautiful.
Not confident.
Nothing like Nathan.
And Nathan... perfect by Lucas' side.
Erven felt jealousy stab him in the heart, sharp, foreign, painful. I hated that feeling. Hated himself for feeling it. I had no right. Lucas wasn't his. Lucas had never said he was Erven's.
But I remembered Lucas's voice, slow, mischievous, but honest.
"If you want, one day you can conceive my heir."
Erven's breath caught.
Were those all just empty words?
I felt stupid.
Stupid for expecting something more than kindness.
Kindness isn't love.
Protection isn't a future.
Maybe Lucas was just holding him back out of responsibility. Or duty. Or compassion.
Lucas belonged to someone else.
Erven hugged his knees, bowed his head as tears began to flow.
Should I ask Lucas?
Ask about Nathan?
Ask who I really am in his life?
Or should I keep quiet…
and avoid an answer that could destroy him? biting his lip hard.
If I asked, Lucas might get angry.
Maybe walk away.
Maybe say that Erven was just temporary entertainment.
And if he heard that… he wasn't sure he could survive.
But even being quiet hurt.
"Maybe I'm nothing to him…" he whispered softly.
The penthouses still smelled of Lucas.
The clothes I was wearing were Lucas's.
This place… Erven waited for Lucas to come home every day.
Tears kept falling.
I hoped he hadn't answered the door earlier.
I hoped he hadn't seen Nathan.
I hoped Lucas was here… to explain that it was all just a misunderstanding…
But Lucas wasn't there.
And Erven was left alone with the painful truth:
I don't know where he stands in Lucas's life.
And the scariest thing…
I'm not sure if he has a place there…
or not at all.