ter. He sat on the edge of the mattress, his hands immediately going to her ankle, touching it carefully, his brow furrowed with concern. "Does this hurt? What about here?" Victoria winced.

was in the kitchen, already dressed in one of his tailored suits. There was a plate on the table with toast and eggs, even a small bowl of fruit. He never made breakfast. "You didn't come back to sleep," I said. He looked up from his phone. "I was taking care of Victoria. It got late, and I didn't want to wake you, so I slept on the couch." The knot in my chest loosened slightly. He'd stayed up helping her because she needed it. That was just who Lucas was. Responsible. Dutiful. And he'd made me breakfast. He was trying, in his own way. "I waited for you." I sat down at the table. "Next time, just come back. It's okay." He nodded, already checking his messages. "We should leave soon. There's a meeting at nine." "I'll get ready." Twenty minutes later, I came downstairs with my bag and laptop. Lucas was already outside by the car. I could see him through the window, checking something on his phone. I walked out and reached for the passenger door handle. Victoria was already sitting in the passenger seat, adjusting the visor mirror. I stopped, confused. She turned and saw me, her eyes widening. "Oh, I'm so sorry, sister-in-law. I'm used to sitting in my brother's passenger seat. My foot isn't healed yet, so it's hard to switch." She gestured vaguely at her ankle. "But this is where I always sit. Why didn't you take the back seat?" "Oh, I'm so sorry it didn't cross my mind. I was in so much pain that I didn't take note. Also, I didn't know you would be coming." She said, an innocent smile plastered on her face. I gasped as I looked at Lucas who was settling in the driver's seat. "And why won't I come along?" I asked. "I don't know. I am really sorry sister In law, my ankle just hurts too bad." "Lucas," I said. He glanced up, impatient. "It's just a seat. Stop fussing. We're going to be late." Victoria smiled sweetly, before she continued. "Mom asked me to come to the company to observe and learn. If I don't understand something, you'll have to teach me, since I'll be joining the company soon." Her words filled me with unease but before I could speak further, Lucas's impatient voice reached me.