Lucas settled into the passenger seat with the same quiet composure he carried everywhere, the door shutting with a soft, controlled click.
After he had spoken to neo's mom she had sent him a location at a road side, to meet her and he knew this wasn't just a casual meeting it was important so he came more than prepared for anything.
Maggie's fingers tightened briefly on the steering wheel.
"Ma'am… what exactly do you need me to do?" he asked quietly. Lucas broke silence, and maggie swallowed.
For the first time since he entered the car, her composure cracked just a little.
"I need you to follow me somewhere," she said, her voice lower now. "Please."
Lucas didn't answer immediately.
He just watched her.
Carefully. Patiently.
"Where?" he finally asked.
Maggie hesitated just for a second then forced the words out.
"To D'uther's house."
The air inside the car shifted instantly.
Lucas's gaze sharpened, but his face remained calm as ever.
"You know where he lives," he stated.
It wasn't a question.
Maggie gave a small, bitter smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"I always did, he made sure I always knew."
Her fingers tightened in her lap.
"I didn't call you because I want trouble," she continued quickly. "I just… I need to see for myself. I need to know why he's back and what he wants."
She finally turned to Lucas fully, and this time the desperation she had been holding back was clear as day.
"I can't go there alone."
Lucas was quiet for a long moment then he's eyes moved to the little bag on her laps and finally understood where this was all going.
Then he spoke, voice calm but firm.
"Ma'am… I need you to relax and think this through first."
Maggie's jaw tightened immediately.
"Whatever you're planning," Lucas continued evenly, "if it goes wrong, it won't just affect you. It could backfire badly."
The words hung heavy between them.
For a second, Maggie looked like she might actually reconsider.
But then, her eyes hardened.
"I know," she whispered.
Her hand slowly moved to her bag, gripping it tightly not pulling the weapon out, just holding onto it like courage.
"I know it's risky. I know it might be stupid." Her voice trembled slightly now. "But I am so tired, Lucas."
That… made him pause.
"I just got a little peace back in my life," she continued, blinking rapidly. "My children finally started sleeping without fear. Neo finally started smiling again."
Her voice broke just a little.
"And now he's back."
Silence.Heavy.Raw.
Maggie inhaled shakily before continuing, softer now, almost pleading.
"I'm not going there to cause a scene. I'm not going there to fight." She shook her head quickly. "I just… I need to face this. As a mother."
Her eyes met Lucas's again.
"I need freedom, Lucas. I can't go back to that life. I won't survive it this time."
For the first time since he entered the car…
Lucas's expression shifted slightly.
Not pity but understanding.
Maggie leaned a little closer, her voice dropping to a quiet plea.
"And please… don't tell Neo about this. Not yet."
She swallowed, "Just help me this once."
The car fell completely silent.
Lucas studied her for a long moment really studied her.
The desperation.The fear. The determination that wasn't going anywhere no matter what he said.
Finally…
He exhaled slowly.
"…Alright, ma'am."
Maggie's breath caught.
"I'll go with you," he said calmly.
Relief flooded her face so fast it was almost painful to watch.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Lucas leaned back into the seat, eyes forward now, voice steady as ever.
"Drive."
But deep in his eyes…
Something dark flickered. Because for the first time
He was finally about to meet Mr. D'uther
Maggie drove in silence for most of the journey, her grip on the steering wheel tightening the deeper they went into the wooded road. The city noise had long faded behind them, replaced by the low hum of the engine and the occasional crunch of gravel beneath the tires.
The mansion didn't appear immediately.
It revealed itself slowly.
First the long stretch of cleared land…
Then the towering gates…
And finally the guards already standing alert as though they had been expecting her arrival.
Maggie's stomach twisted.
She slowed the car, her voice quieter now.
"This is the house, Lucas."
The gates loomed ahead like a warning.
"My ex-husband is very dangerous," she added, glancing briefly at him. "So please be careful, okay?"
Lucas didn't move. Didn't even flinch.
His gaze remained calmly fixed on the estate ahead, unreadable as ever.
"Oh really, ma'am?"
Maggie frowned slightly at his tone.
"Yes, Lucas. He's dangerous."
The car rolled to a stop as guards approached, their movements sharp and professional. One of them signaled, and the vehicle was quickly but thoroughly searched.
Maggie's pulse drummed loudly in her ears.
Beside her, Lucas sat like this was just another Tuesday.
Completely unfazed.
"I'll be careful," he said smoothly.
The gates began to open.
Slow. Heavy. Almost dramatic.
Maggie swallowed hard as she pressed the accelerator and drove through.
The moment the car crossed into the compound, the atmosphere changed.
The mansion stood tall and imposing ahead of them, the kind of place that screamed power and secrets buried deep in its walls.
Maggie's chest tightened.
Memories she didn't want clawed at the edges of her mind, but she forced them down, lifting her chin slightly.
Not today. Not again.
She parked slowly in the wide driveway, but her hand didn't immediately leave the steering wheel.
For the first time since they left the house…
She hesitated.
Lucas noticed.
His voice came calm and low beside her.
"Still want to do this, ma'am?"
Maggie inhaled deeply.
Then exhaled.
Her eyes hardened with quiet resolve.
"…I didn't come all this way to turn back."
Finally, she opened the car door.
And stepped out.
Right back into the past she swore she escaped.