I opened it randomly, the pages smelling of old paper and dried lavender.

A loose piece of paper slipped out from between the pages.

It fluttered down to the polished wood floor.

I bent down and picked it up.

It was an old photograph, the edges slightly yellowed.

A young woman with dark hair and bright eyes smiled at the camera.

She was standing in a garden, laughing.

My breath caught in my throat as I looked closer at her neck.

Around her neck, she wore a silver locket.

It was identical to the one I was wearing.

The engraved rose on the front was exactly the same.

I reached up and touched my own locket, my fingers trembling.

Suddenly, the doorknob behind me began to turn.

I slipped the photograph behind my back, my heart hammering against my ribs.

The heavy wooden door swung open, creaking slightly on its hinges.

Lucian stood in the doorway.

He had taken off his dark suit jacket, and his white shirt was unbuttoned at the collar.

His dark hair was damp from the rain, clinging slightly to his forehead.