Darcy sat in the downstairs café, squinting contentedly in the morning sun, soaking up this little slice of peace that belonged entirely to her. This kind of lifeis actually pretty nice. It's just— She rested her chin in her hand. The thought niggled at her. Only one person in the house is earning a living. Lucian must be under a lot of pressure. Should I start looking for a job? Her leg was pretty much healed now, at least good enough for walking around. Maybe she should give it a shot. Two days passed uneventfully, but Darcy's job hunt hit a brick wall at every turn. With no ID, no paperwork, no one dared hire her. That evening, Lucian returned home to find the apartment empty. A cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.He had just gotten off the phone. That man was flying into Londyn tomorrow and had pleaded with Lucian to take good care of Darcy. Relief and disappointment warred in Lucian's heart—she'd never been his, not really. His heart hammering against his ribs, he was about to rush downstairs when the elevator dinged. Darcy emerged, looking utterly dejected, her shoulders slumped. Driven by a surge of frantic relief, Lucian acted before he could think. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. "Where were you? You scared me half to death." Darcy blinked up at him, bewildered by his sudden intensity. "I was job hunting. But not a single place would hire me. They said I have no papers, that I'm "of unknown origin." Some even hinted I might be here illegally." She looped her arms around his neck, her voice thick with disappointment. "I'm so useless." "You're not," Lucian murmured into her hair, his face buried in the curve of her neck. "How could you ever be useless?" She was smart and driven, kind but not a pushover, passionate and clear about her boundaries. In her career, in her relationships, she was a force to be reckoned with. She shone so brightly. If she ever got her memories back, she would never be content in this small corner of the world. She belonged back in her own orbit. A sour, achy feeling spread through his chest. His words were as much for her as they were a mantra for himself. "It's okay. It's really okay." It's okay if she leaves. You're used to being alone. She has family. She has a love waiting for her. That she could be by your side like this for even a few days is a gift you never deserved. Don't get greedy. Darcy stared at the sudden catch in his voice and reached up to trace his lean cheek. "You're home early today. Everything alright?"Lucian managed a small smile. "The fridge is empty. Let's go grocery shopping. And... I took tomorrow off. I'll take you out. Where do you want to go?" Darcy thought for a moment. "How about bazaar? I heard there's tons of great food." "Deal." They packed up and headed down, then took Lucian's car to the supermarket. Everything seemed to fascinate Darcy. She'd pick something up, her eyes lighting up, then put it back with a sigh, remembering there was only one income in the household now. "What's wrong? If you like it, get it," Lucian said, noticing her hesitation. He reached to reclaim the things she'd set aside. Darcy shook her head. "It's fine. We don't really need it. Some things are just nice to look at." Lucian pressed his lips together but said nothing more. After checking out, they walked toward the parking garage. Once the two large bags of groceries and essentials—vegetables, steak, milk—were loaded into the trunk, Lucian suddenly opened his palm. A plush strawberry bear keychain sat there. Darcy's eyes widened. "Wow! When did you get this?" She took it, turning it over in her hands, her delight quickly mingling with guilt. "I told you I didn't need it. Why'd you sneak it into the bill?" Lucian chuckled, "Relax. I can afford a keychain." But it's not just any keychain! It's a limited collaboration piece! Darcy's heart ached a little. It cost over 100 dollars. She had admired it for ages but never dared to put it in the cart. Well, it was bought now. She'd graciously accept it. Back in the car, as Lucian started the engine, a soft murmur came from the passenger seat. He didn't catch it at first. "What did you say?" he asked, leaning closer. Darcy turned toward him. In one swift, gentle motion, she leaned in and brushed a kiss against his cheek. "Thank you," she whispered. "And... I'm sorry." The sudden, feather-light touch sent Lucian's brain into a dizzying whiteout. Emotions surged violently in his eyes, a storm he desperately tried to quell but couldn't. His intense reaction left Darcy flustered. Did I do it wrong? Why is he looking at me like that? After what felt like an eternity, Lucian let out a long, controlled breath. He turned his head to the side, toward the window, letting the cool night air rush in. Gradually, the chaos in his gaze subsided. "Sorry for what?" he finally asked, his voice low. "For being stubborn, for fighting with you, for... jumping into the sea." Lucian looked down. His hands on his knees clenched, then relaxed, then clenched again.He already knew the whole story—why she had jumped into the sea, and why he'd found her on that island's shore. He reached over and ruffled her hair. "It's okay. Let's go home." "Yeah. Let's go home." Dinner was a joint effort—two dishes each, making for a surprisingly lavish spread. After they finished, Darcy moved to clear the plates, but Lucian stopped her. He rolled up his sleeves. "I'll handle it."