The light came back, but it didn't bring relief.
It only made everything clearer.
Too clear.
He was there.
For real.
No shadows, no tricks.
His hand still resting on Noah's shoulder, firm, almost casual — as if it were normal.
As if it had always been.
Lucas felt his stomach twist.
— Take your hand off him.
His voice came out low, controlled.
But loaded.
He didn't obey.
On the contrary.
He tightened his grip slightly on Noah's shoulder.
Noah let out a low, restrained sound, as if trying not to react.
— You still try to give orders — he said, looking directly at Lucas. — Interesting.
— I'm not playing.
— Neither am I.
Silence.
Heavy.
Emily took an instinctive step back.
— Stop this… — she whispered.
He tilted his head, analyzing her.
— You were always the first to step back.
That hit.
She froze.
— But you were also the first to lie — he added.
— Enough — Lucas cut in.
— No — he replied, without looking away. — This is exactly where it begins.
His hand left Noah's shoulder.
But not to move away.
He took two steps forward.
Standing between them.
Controlling the space.
— You still don't understand, do you?
No one answered.
— This isn't about remembering — he continued. — It's about paying.
The air grew heavier.
— We've already paid — Emily said, her voice breaking. — You think we don't live with this?
He looked at her.
Long.
Cold.
— Living isn't paying.
Silence.
Lucas clenched his teeth.
— Then what do you want?
This time, he smiled.
Slowly.
— A choice.
That made Lucas's heart pound harder.
— What kind of choice?
He took another step forward.
— The same one you made.
No one understood at first.
But Lucas's body reacted before his mind.
— No…
— Yes.
He pointed.
First at Noah.
Then—
At Emily.
— One of you leaves.
Time seemed to freeze.
— What? — Emily whispered.
— And the other stays.
Absolute silence.
— That's not going to happen — Lucas said, firm.
— It already did before.