On the way from the Vance family's main house to Dominic Vance's villa, Lucien almost fell asleep several times. It was obvious that just a few minutes ago he could still smile and talk with Mrs. Vance, but now his whole body felt as if all its strength had been drained.
Upon arriving home, Lucien said nothing, only silently took off his shoes, hung his coat on the hook, and went straight up to his room. Dominic Vance stood in the living room, his eyes following Lucien's back, but he did not ask. He was used to Lucien occasionally retreating into his shell in silence. It was just that this time, that silence seemed much heavier.
Lucien entered the room, closed the door, and slumped down onto the floor next to the bed. He pulled out a crumpled handkerchief from his pocket, the dried bloodstains looking like dark red petals. He had tried to suppress that coughing fit in the car earlier, to the point that his throat still tasted like blood.
