Lucas knocked all but once on the door to his father's room before entering. Once he had told Louis to announce his arrival, he had expected his father to summon him, hence the reason he freshened up so quickly. He let his eyes scan the room. It looked so foreign. Had he been gone for that long? He didn't know what he was searching for or why. Any memory of her? He also couldn't understand why he was so disappointed when he didn't find any.
"In here, Lucas," his father bellowed from the study.
Lucas took a deep breath and made his way to the study. As he entered, the tension in the room was palpable.
"You called for me, Father?" Lucas began, his tone guarded.
"Yes, I did," his father replied, his eyes narrowing. "I heard you've been making quite a name for yourself while you've been away."
"I've done what I needed to do," Lucas said, a hint of sarcasm creeping into his voice. "I'm sure you're familiar with the concept."
His father's eyes flashed with anger. "Watch your tone, Lucas. You think you're so clever, don't you? Gallivanting around, leaving your family behind."
"I had my reasons," Lucas shot back. "And I didn't leave my family behind. I left you behind."
"Is that supposed to hurt me?" his father scoffed. "You always were dramatic."
Lucas clenched his fists, trying to keep his temper in check. "I came back because I thought things might have changed. Clearly, I was wrong."He didn't mention that this was the only place safe for Charlotte.
For now.
"Changed?" his father laughed bitterly. "You're the one who changed, Lucas. You think you're too good for us now?"
"No," Lucas said quietly, his anger cooling into a hard resolve. "I just hoped for once you'd see things from my perspective."
"Your perspective?" his father sneered. "All I see is a son who abandoned his responsibilities."
Lucas took a step closer, his eyes blazing. "I didn't abandon anything. I made choices—hard ones. And I've paid for them every single day."
His father's expression softened for just a moment before hardening again. "Life is about sacrifice, Lucas. You're not the only one who's suffered."
"I know that," Lucas said
His father shook his head, frustration evident. "I suppose you think you know everything now."
"Oh, absolutely. I've been away on a grand quest for enlightenment. Found it in a tavern somewhere, I think," Lucas retorted, rolling his eyes.
"Your sarcasm isn't helping," his father snapped. "You think I'm happy dealing with all this on my own? The slaves can't even follow the simplest orders. It's a disaster."
"Well, if you treated people better, maybe you wouldn't have these problems," Lucas shot back. "But then again, empathy was never your strong suit, was it?"
His father glared at him. "And what would you know about running a household? You've been off playing hero while real responsibilities pile up here."
"Real responsibilities," Lucas scoffed. "You mean like berating everyone around you? Sounds fulfilling."
"Don't take that tone with me," his father warned. "You have no idea what it's been like since your mother passed. And now with Grace, things are even more complicated."
"Grace? oh! You mean your replacement" He deadpanned
"This isn't about replacing anyone, Lucas. It's about moving forward."
"Moving forward?" Lucas laughed "You mean forgetting her. Well, I can't do that, and I won't be a part of this farce"
With that, Lucas turned on his heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.