---- "How long can you keep that up?" I asked. "For the rest of my life," he answered without hesitation. "Even if I never come back to you?" Lucas was silent for a few seconds, then nodded." Even if you never come back to me." I got in my car and started the engine. "Lucas, stop wasting your time. Go find a pureblood Omega who's actually worthy of your bloodline." With that, I drove away. But in the rearview mirror, I saw Lucas still standing there, his eyes filled with desperation. For the next month, he actually did what he promised. He appeared outside my studio every day, but he kept his distance. No Alpha dominance, no commands, no controlling behavior. ---- He was like a loyal guard, watching over me in silence. My colleagues were all curious. "Who is that guy?" "He's here every day." "He looks so devoted." I didn't explain. Because I knew this was just another one of Lucas's tactics. Softer, more persistent, but at its core, it was still an attempt to win me back. He was playing a part. The part of a deeply remorseful man who had seen the error of his ways. A month later, the gifts and the vigil suddenly stopped. I thought he had finally given up. ---- I sighed, moved the text to the trash, and didn't think about it again.