One year before the apocalypse.
A full year had passed since Lucian's regression into the past.
In that time, many things happened.
Let's start with the last chapter(Since the pace is going too slowly and I might cross 100 chapters before his awakening and the apocalypse).
Lucian earned as much money as he could with the knowledge of his past life.
Within months, the money piled up.
He bought a house, a car, and even stocked some supplies in secret.
He also visited his mother as much as he could, and even made preparations to bring her out of that cold facility.
He even offered the staff money—anything to improve her condition, even slightly.
He even had some help from Julia, Stella's maid.
Yes, he found out that she was her personal maid and not just a caretaker or a guard.
With her assistance, it had become possible to bring his mother out.
Though she couldn't help much, even her little help was more than enough for him.
He had earned her trust during that time.
Stella, too, met him a few times.
It was difficult for them to meet outside because she had restrictions at home.
According to her, her father rarely allowed her to go out.
So, they rarely met.
***
Now—back to the present.
Lucian was in his car on his way home.
He drove silently, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
A woman sat beside him.
Long black hair cascaded down her back, contrasting beautifully with her icy blue eyes.
Her complexion—once sickly pale and fragile—now looked healthier, brighter.
Seraphina.
His mother.
"How long?" She asked in a soft tone, far different from her usual cold behaviour.
Lucian glanced at her and smiled faintly.
"Ten more minutes."
She hummed in response and looked out the window.
The world blurred past her.
Cars. People. Buildings.
It had been years since she had last truly seen the outside, so much so that it almost looked foreign.
After her marriage, she had rarely gone outside.
One of the reasons was that her bastard of a husband rarely allowed her to leave the house.
And secondly, there was no reason for her to go outside, not when she had lost all hope.
Ten minutes later, the car slowed, then stopped.
It wasn't a mansion or a giant bungalow, but it was one of the best houses in the area.
Lucian parked the car, and both of them stepped out.
He opened the door and gestured inside.
"Welcome home," he said warmly.
Seraphina stood still for a heartbeat… then stepped inside.
They arrived in the living room together.
The room was modest and comfortable.
She entered empty-handed—since she had no luggage, as patients in the facility were rarely allowed to keep any belongings.
Halfway through the room, she stopped.
"Lucian." She called in a serious tone.
"Hm?" He turned to her, confused, but when he saw her expression, he stilled.
His expression shifted, turning serious.
"Ask."
He said calmly.
"Ask anything. Whatever you want to know."
He already knew there were many questions in her head.
Her lips trembled.
"Why?" she asked.
"Why are you doing this?"
It was the question she had been asking him for quite a long time, and each time she did, he dodged it, deflected it, or answered vaguely.
This time, she wouldn't let him.
"What do you want?"
Her voice broke slightly.
He had shown such care that it felt unreal, almost like a dream.
"Why are you doing all of this?" she continued.
"Meeting me every time… bringing me out of the facility…"
There must have been a reason for it.
Anything.
"Why?"
She didn't think this was a selfless act on his part because if it were, he wouldn't have just come up to her. He would have met and spoken to everyone in her facility.
But he didn't.
He just met her— just talked to her.
"Because…"
He faltered, all his practiced calm vanishing.
He knew he had to answer this; he had been ready for it, or at least he thought he was.
But now—
Now his heartbeat was beating so fast that he could hear it.
"Lucian?" She stepped closer, her eyes narrowing at him.
"Answer me."
He inhaled deeply.
And then—
"Because I love you."
He said, finally…
Not knowing the misunderstanding it had caused.
Seraphina froze completely.
Time seemed to stop.
Her thoughts went blank.
Inside Lucian's mind—
[Pft…]
Akasha tried to hold it in, she really did, but…
[Pft… pft… haha— HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!]
She exploded into uncontrollable laughter, her voice echoing like thunder in his mind.