Chapter 0424

"My escort?"

"He specifically requested to monitor you. It wasn't my decision to make."

"Who?" I ask softly, already dreading the response.

"Lucas Adler. My advice..."

"I comply with his every instruction and answer all his questions." I cut in swiftly.

He gives a curt nod. "You'll be assigned to the gardens today. Fruit inspection, vegetable maintenance, and weeding."

"I can handle that." Though I wasn't certain how I'd cope with Lucas's constant scrutiny.

"Take this." Mum extends a paper bag toward me. "I packed you a lunch."

"You didn't have to..."

"I know. See you later."

An unfamiliar emotion swelled inside me, threatening to bring tears to my eyes again. Not from anger or sorrow. This feeling was entirely different. "Thank you," I whispered, but she had already turned away.

I opened the door to find Lucas massaging his temples. "You didn't attempt to escape? I was anticipating it."

"To give you another excuse to end me?" I countered.

"Perhaps. You're learning quickly, it seems. Let's move. I hope you're decent with plants."

I followed him to the expansive gardens, where rows upon rows of various plants were being tended by multiple workers. They all paused to glare at me. Lucas gestured to a woman with long, wavy red hair. She approached me slowly, carrying a bucket of small gardening tools.

Removing her glove, she offered her hand. "I'm Hannah."

"You're the woman they mentioned. The one who lost her abilities?"

"Correct. Shall we begin working?"

Surprisingly, Lucas didn't follow me through the crops. He remained at the perimeter, his watchful gaze never leaving me. His silent observation made me increasingly uneasy.

"You don't need to keep looking at him." Hannah murmured beside me. "He's just here to observe, nothing more."

"It's just... I ruined his life. I know he wants me dead. But I'm trying to make amends."

"I know. The fact that you're here at all shows you're trying." She winced as she bent over.

"Are you all right?"

"He believes it's too soon for me to be doing this, but I insisted. I can't remain indoors all day."

"Too soon?"

She lifted her shirt just enough to reveal badly bruised ribs.

"Did he do this to you?" I gasped.

"Absolutely not. I'm still recovering from Levi."

"I hope he gets what he deserves. To do this and strip us of our identity... it's worse than death." I sighed heavily.

"I'm certain they'll find a way to handle him. Athena is remarkably clever, and so is Alexander. They always prevail." She gave me an encouraging smile.

"I truly hope they win this time." I remained filled with doubt.

I worked for hours, letting Hannah guide me through each task. Lucas never once hovered over me, but he always positioned himself within sight.

He walked me to my new residence in complete silence. I wanted to say something, anything, but ultimately chose to keep quiet.

He knocked on the door and waited for Caleb to answer. The moment the door opened, Lucas turned and walked away without uttering a single word. His silence felt more punishing than any words he could have spoken.