Chapter 968 Future Plans

"Okay!" Lucas' voice was as rough as ever. I stood up, left the room, and gently closed the door. Astoria was waiting outside and gave me a worried look. "Is he doing okay?" she asked. I nodded, my heart aching so fiercely I could not find the words. Lucas, who used to be so vibrant and mesmerizing, had been reduced to that. I could not even begin to imagine what he had been through. "We should talk downstairs," I managed to say despite the soreness in my throat. Astoria agreed, and we made our way down. We settled on the couch, and she handed me a glass of water. She seemed like she wanted to say something but ended up staying quiet. I knew what was on her mind. After a small sip of water to soothe my throat, I looked at her and asked, "Is this place yours?" She nodded, a touch of embarrassment in her voice. "Yeah, I was supposed to graduate and start job hunting after coming back from the border. But I met Mr. Fowell, and it all stopped. "He asked me to find Mr. Lucas, and t