Ironically, Lucian stood outside the house, watching Khan open the backseat door for Ashley as she prepared to leave for work.

Primo was already inside, waiting for her to join him.

"Right." Ashley turned back to where Lucian was standing.

She stopped in front of him and looked up. "Lucian."

"Hm?"

"If, let’s say, I mess up at work today, what happens?" she asked curiously. "Specifically to you and me?"

Lucian thought about it for a moment.

"Nothing."

They would still be together.

They would still have dinner together and spend the evening watching a movie—or whatever they felt like watching.

They would still hold each other at night, kiss each other passionately, and cherish every second of it.

"Right?" She chuckled, her eyes squinting. "It’s not like what we have now is transactional."

She smacked her lips and leaned closer, standing on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his cheek.

"I’ll see you later. Don’t forget our dinner with Auntie Liza and Uncle Tom. He’ll be arriving later."

Having said that, Ashley skipped toward the car.

Lucian remained where he was, watching the vehicle slowly roll away. He stared at the rear of the car in silence before letting out a heavy sigh.

"How can I understand her..." he whispered. "The parents I cut off weren’t even mine."

His gaze lowered.

"It wasn’t that hard when I never hoped they would become family."

If only he could do more for her.

Shaking his head, Lucian went back inside to rest.

That was what he was supposed to do.

Rest.

And perhaps look into how Red and the others were carrying out his orders regarding the captive man.

That was how his day was supposed to go.

*****

Raka walked into his research facility wearing a bright smile.

The moment he opened the door to his office, however, he nearly jumped out of his skin.

"Ah—!"

Clutching his chest dramatically, he staggered backward against the door. His eyes darted toward the man sitting inside.

Lucian.

Lucian sat comfortably on the couch, an open book resting on his lap.

Raka’s face twitched. For a split second, he almost yelled at him.

How was Lucian already in his office before he was?

But before the words could leave his mouth, yesterday’s events flashed through his mind.

"..."

Raka pursed his lips. Straightening his posture, he forced a wide smile onto his face and sauntered over.

"Good morning, sir," he greeted sweetly, setting down his briefcase.

He even bent slightly beside the couch.

"You’re early today. Do you need anything from me? I mean, I’m sorry for arriving late. Have you had coffee? Tea? Anything you prefer?"

The shift in his attitude was so dramatic it would’ve given anyone whiplash. Even when Lucian didn’t answer, Raka maintained his smile.

"I’ll prepare some tea, then."

The moment he turned around, his smile vanished.

Still, he went to make the tea.

Ashley had given him plenty of the same blend Lucian drank, specifically to make sure Raka stayed healthy enough to keep treating him.

When he returned, he placed a cup in front of Lucian before taking a seat across from him. Only then did he notice something.

Lucian wasn’t actually reading.

The book was open, and his eyes were fixed on it, but his thoughts were clearly elsewhere.

"Chairman?" Raka waved awkwardly. "Is everything alright, sir?"

"Just call me Lucian." Lucian blinked, finally returning to reality.

His gaze lifted to meet Raka’s. "Aren’t we already on a first-name basis? Or am I mistaken?"

"Ahh! Haha!" Raka laughed, rubbing the tip of his nose to hide his pride.

First-name basis with the chairman of the Black Dragon Corporation? Only he could do that.

"Of course not!" he replied, laughing louder. "Then, if you don’t mind—ahem—Lucian, do you have any concerns? Tell me everything."

Placing a hand over his chest, he nodded sincerely. "I’ll do my best."

"Can your miracle pill turn back time?"

Raka’s smile froze.

A second later, he gasped.

"Hey! You and your wife!" he blurted out. "Do you think my miracle pill is magic? Why do you two keep asking me impossible questions?"

It took him another second to remember who he was speaking to. Immediately, he bit his tongue and forced another smile.

"I mean, of course not, my friend."

He laughed awkwardly.

"The miracle pill is the result of decades of research. I inherited the project from a respected professor—my amazing grandfather—and his brilliant researchers, Penelope Bennet and Dean Pierson. Two of the greatest minds of their generation."

He pointed proudly. "I graduated from the same university as them, by the way." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

After clearing his throat, he continued.

"Anyway, the miracle drug aims to combat illnesses like your original diagnosis and make treatment more accessible and affordable. Healthcare is expensive."

There was already enormous interest in the project.

The research had produced remarkable results. Clinical trials were progressing well. Countless companies had offered Raka absurd amounts of money to buy the rights.

He had rejected every one of them.

He wasn’t about to let someone else claim his grandfather’s legacy.

"But it’s not magic," Raka said firmly. "It’s still medicine. Just medicine with a broader focus."

Lucian nodded slowly. "I see."

Raka narrowed his eyes.

"Don’t tell me you came all the way here just to ask that." He quickly raised both hands. "Not that I mind! I love seeing my patients. If you have concerns, tell me."

"Mhm."

Lucian ignored the panic flickering across Raka’s face. Instead, his gaze drifted around the office.

Framed certificates lined the walls. Old photographs. Portraits. Several of them belonged to Professor Singh.

"Does it heal trauma?" Lucian asked suddenly.

Raka blinked. "What?"

"Or at least speed up the process."

Raka frowned deeply.

"No." Then he paused. "Why do you need a time machine?"

Lucian lowered his gaze to the table.

"I want to help someone." His voice was quiet. "Someone who learned to drown out their emotions instead of processing them."

A brief pause followed.

"I need something that can help this person reach that point faster." His fingers tightened slightly. "So she won’t have to cry."

He wanted to help Ashley more. But even Lucian didn’t know how.

Even after she said she was fine, he couldn’t stop wondering if there was something else he could do. Even if it made him look ridiculous.

"That person needs therapy, not a pill." Raka wrinkled his nose. "And there’s no shortcut for something like that."

He leaned back in his chair.

"Especially if it’s rooted deep." His expression softened slightly. "Fast-tracking healing isn’t always the answer. Sometimes it just makes things worse."

Lucian stared at him.

Raka immediately panicked.

"Don’t misunderstand me!" He waved both hands. "It doesn’t mean I am not capable! All I’m saying is there’s only so much we can do for someone else."

His shoulders rose and fell. "Some battles can only be won by the person fighting them. There’s no cheat code for that."

He cleared his throat.

"If you really want to help, then let them heal." His voice grew gentler. "Be there. Support them. But don’t try to fix them."

He shrugged. "Because you can’t. Nobody can."

"Besides, you have your own health to worry about."

Without waiting for a response, Raka abruptly changed the subject.

"Speaking of health, what kind of chemicals or environment were you exposed to that caused your condition?" His eyes lit up. "I want to study it and write a paper."

Lucian didn’t answer.

His thoughts remained stuck on what Raka had said.

Would I really make it worse if I stepped in? Is this really something I can’t resolve for her?