" And yet, you're still standing here," he replied, his tone brimming with confidence, his eyes never leaving hers.
Lisa placed her hands firmly on Canary's chest and pushed him back, her cheeks still flushed.
"Alright, that's enough," she said, her voice flustered but firm.
Canary raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "What? Am I making you nervous?"
"No," she shot back, crossing her arms. "I just need space to get dressed. Now, out."
He chuckled, holding his hands up in surrender. "Fine, fine. I'll give you your space, Miss Modesty."
As he turned to leave, he threw a playful glance over his shoulder. "But don't take too long. You know I hate waiting."
Lisa sighed, shaking her head as he walked away, his laughter lingering in the air. "That man," she muttered under her breath, trying to steady her racing heart as she prepared to get dressed.
——
At the Andersons Mansion, Lucy paced nervously in the living room, her mind racing. Canary hadn't returned home yet, and despite telling herself not to worry, a knot tightened in her chest.
She glanced toward the door, hoping he would walk through it any minute.
Ketra, sitting on the couch with a calm expression, watched her with concern.
"Lucy, he's fine. Canary's always like this when he's busy. You know he's not one to disappear without a reason."
"I know," Lucy muttered, her eyes flickering toward the clock. "But it's unlike him not to check in, especially this late. What if something's happened?"
Ketra shook her head gently, standing up and walking over to her.
"Nothing's happened. He's probably just wrapped up in work or something. You've seen how he is when he gets focused."
Lucy sighed, still uneasy. "You're right. I just can't help but feel something's off."
Ketra placed a hand on Lucy's shoulder, offering a reassuring smile. "He'll be home soon. Just give him some time."
As Lucy stood by the window, still restless, the front door creaked open.
Joel stepped into the room, a sly grin on his face as he glanced between her and Ketra.
"Still worried about Canary, Lucy?" he asked, his tone dripping with casual indifference.
Lucy turned sharply, her worry turning to irritation. "Where have you been, Joel?"
"Out," he replied, shrugging. "Business." He dropped down onto the couch next to Ketra, who gave him a brief, neutral look.
"Lucy, you really need to stop worrying about Canary," Joel added, leaning back and crossing his arms.
"He's a grown man. He can take care of himself."
Lucy frowned, still pacing. "I know he can, but this isn't like him."
Joel raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening.
"Maybe he's just having a good time. You know, living his life, not constantly on your leash."
Ketra shook her head and walked away.
Lucy took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but Joel's voice broke the silence.
"So, Lucy," he began, his tone casual but with a hint of provocation, "were you worried like this when I left twenty years ago?"
Lucy froze, her hand still on the window frame as she turned to face him.
Her heart skipped a beat. The question hung in the air, the past resurfacing with a weight she hadn't expected.
"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice steady but her mind racing.
Joel leaned back in his chair, eyes glinting with something unreadable.
"You were always so focused on Canary, so protective. But when I left… when I went off on my own, did you even care? Or was it only Canary you worried about?"
Lucy's expression hardened, the sting of his words reaching her.
"Of course I cared about you, Joel," she replied, her voice quiet but firm.
"But you made your own choices…You chose to leave us... "
Joel's smile turned tight, almost bitter. "Is that it? Canary's different, so he gets all the attention, all the care, while I was just… what? Forgotten?"
Lucy shook her head, feeling the old wounds reopening. "That's not what I meant."
But Joel only shrugged, his gaze cold. "Maybe it doesn't matter. I am just your brother afterlol, You cared more about your husband and son.."
" Joel…" Lucy called not believing what Joel was starting to say.
Joel leaned forward, his voice laced with a cold amusement as he stared at Lucy.
"You know, I can't help but wonder… What will Canary do when he finally finds out you're not really his mother?"
Lucy's breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, she was silent, the shock of his words freezing her in place.
She had always feared that this secret might one day come to light, but hearing Joel voice it so casually made it all the more real.
"Don't be ridiculous," Lucy managed to say, her voice trembling slightly, though she tried to hold her composure.
" I'm his mother. I've always been his mother."
Joel's smile widened, a knowing look in his eyes.
" Are you really sure about that? Or are you just fooling yourself? Canary has a right to know the truth, don't you think?"
Lucy's heart raced, a mixture of fear and anger bubbling inside her.
" I am his mother, That doesn't change." Lucy argued.
Joel's gaze hardened as he stood up, the room growing heavier with his words.
"You know, Lucy," he began, his tone quiet but sharp, "being a wife to Canary's father doesn't make you his mother."
Lucy's hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought to stay calm.
"You're wrong," she said, her voice barely a whisper now, a quiet determination settling in.
"He will never find out."
Joel's smirk remained, but his eyes were filled with something darker now. "We'll , You have played that role for too long. ?"
" Don't talk about it again." Lucy demanded.
" Alright Sis.."
Joel leaned against the doorway, his tone sharp. " Don't forget that the only real connection you had to the Andersons was Alexander. Now that he's gone, maybe it's time you stopped pretending and started thinking of yourself as a Rivers again."
Lucy's eyes narrowed, her voice steady but firm.
"I built a life with Alexander, raised Canary, and that family is mine—whether you like it or not."
Joel scoffed, his smirk cold.
"You can't change the truth, Lucy. You're a Rivers, not an Anderson. Maybe it's time you accepted that."
Joel shrugged, turning away after that.