The Black Sparrow

LP: Chapter 11

TORONTO

Lucian stayed for two days in Italy, and instead of going to Spain, he told Georgina that he was heading straight home to Toronto. When he got home, she was already there. Lucian took a taxi, and as he turned the corner, he saw her from the window. He stood on the sidewalk, allowing his eyes to take in the entirety of the home they had shared for almost three years. He didn’t mind the cold. The sun was trying to rise, but there were too many clouds. The weather felt just like his current mood—overcast.

When Lucian entered the house, everything was tidy, and he couldn’t see a single mess. Georgina had always been neat, and he had nothing to complain about. He swallowed, and his gaze fell on their framed picture together on top of the console. It was from Disneyland on Lucian’s birthday. Georgina had made him go on rides he would never have dared to try, but because of her strong convincing powers, he had given in. He loved her. He loved seeing her happy.

When he heard a rustling sound, he headed to the kitchen, leaving his bag in the living room. Lucian saw Georgina with her messy bun, oversize black shirt, and cotton shorts. She looked like she had just woken up and was feeling hungry. Usually, Lucian would make them breakfast, but since he was away, she had taken care of it. Some men would complain about chores, but Lucian was happy to do them because he felt that Georgina needed him.

He felt important.

He felt that she would never let him go.

Just from the smell of the food, he knew she was making chicken noodle soup. Maybe once he was out of her life, she would learn to cook. Or maybe she would live on takeout. Lucian felt a tightening in his chest. She was cooking something in the kitchen, still wearing her apron. She looked over at him but didn’t approach. Instead, she leaned against the counter and stared at him as if reading the contents of his mind. Lucian did the same. He leaned against the door frame and met her gaze.

She cleared her throat. “How was your trip?”

“As expected.” Less talk, less mistakes.

“Have you eaten?” Georgina asked him.

It was lunchtime, but he didn’t feel hungry. Even the food on the plane had tasted bland to him. The problems he faced in Italy had changed him. One thing would never change, though, and that was his love for Georgina. If only things were different…

“I’m not hungry.”

Georgina simply nodded and turned her back to him so she could check the pot. No kiss. No hug. He should get used to it. Sooner or later, he won’t feel that anymore. No matter what he did, he couldn’t escape the past. And Lucian had just gained another responsibility. He couldn’t run away from that no matter what.

He wanted to curse.

He wanted to scream.

But all he could do was keep it inside. It would fuel him to do the things he needed to do once he walked away.

***

It was late afternoon when Lucian woke up and immediately reached for Georgina’s side of the bed. She wasn’t there, so he suddenly sat up on the bed. When she had asked him earlier if he had eaten, and he said he wasn’t hungry, she had let him be. So Lucian took a shower and went to bed. He felt utterly exhausted. The physical part of it, he could endure. But his head felt like it was about to explode.

“I am not going to be here for much longer, Lucian. You are expected to take this on and lead the family to success.” His father had called him when he learned about the arrival of the child in their home.

“I don’t want it—” He couldn’t finish what he was saying because his father raised a hand. A signal for him to stop speaking. He didn’t want to hear his explanation.

“You cannot turn your back on this family. You have Ludo now.” Lucian knew his father would use Ludo against him.

“I have Georgina. I can’t take her with me, and I don’t want to leave her.” He wanted to stand by his promise to the woman he loved. They were meant to be together until the end.

“I have nothing against Georgina. I love her like a daughter, Lucian.”

“Then why are you doing this to me?” Lucian’s voice broke. “Why? I deserve a life away from this business. I’ve never wanted to be like you or your father, and you know what I’m talking about. It’s not what I want to do for the rest of my life.”

His father fell silent. “There is no escaping it, Lucian. Believe me, son, I wanted a different life too with your mother and your siblings. It’s just not in the cards.”

“It’s not in the cards because you chose it. Mom could have lived longer. We could have been a normal family, Dad. Why didn’t you just walk away?”

Tears welled up in his father’s eyes. “If I did that, they would have killed your mother. We will never be free. So I had to take a chance.” He paused. “Georgina’s life is in your hands. If you decide to run away with her, you will always be looking over your shoulder. If you marry her and take on the responsibility—you will keep wishing she survives the agony and the miserable life we put her into. The only consolation is she’s safe, and you’re together.”

“Then we will just keep running.”

“You think what happened in Toronto was random?” Lucian gritted his teeth. “They are out to get you. And they will get you. You can defend yourself, but what about Georgina? You cannot be with her twenty-four seven, Lucian. Do you want her blood on your hands?”

If Lucian stays away, Georgina is safe. He was alive and breathing, but it felt like he was being killed slowly by his anguish. His grandfather used to say that Lucian was so much like his mother. And silently, Lucian was thanking the heavens for that. His heart was too big to put Georgina in danger.

Therefore, he must let her go.