His one regret in this lifetime is

His one regret in this lifetime is choosing a woman over his children.”
Lucian’s breathing was labored. What difference did any of this make? His father had made his choice years ago, and now he had to live with it. Was she telling him this in hopes that he would offer her some form of comfort?
“My mother also had regrets when she died. Suffice it to say, our family’s fucked-up, Tibet, and you knowingly married into it.”
She nodded. “I did. I just thought you should know that he loves you.”
She stood, and he frowned as she gathered her papers and made to leave. “Why did you tell me all that?”
She turned, a sad look on her face. “Because your father is a difficult man to love. I imagine you are too. Our hearts choose for us, and mine chose Christos. Whoever you love, Lucian, love her well. Do not cause her pain because you are too afraid to face your emotions.”
She couldn’t be more off. “I’m not afraid of love. I’m not my father.”
“No, you’re not. Did you know my father was very much like yours? We never got along and he was a very cold man. We tend to do that, fall in love with people who are as emotionally broken as the ones who raised us. When it occurred to me that you were in love, I found myself wondering, is she like your mother or your father?”
His blood chilled. Holy shit. Evelyn like Christos? No. “She’s not like either of them.”
She shrugged indifferently. “Perhaps. But perhaps she is a bit of both of them. Your mother loved your father to a fault while your father has always been terrified of love. If she’s like either of them, you shouldn’t be here. You should be with her, because I imagine your absence is killing her.”
“I’m leaving tonight,” he announced.
She nodded. “Good. As much as your father wants you here, I believe there is someone else who needs you more. Go to her, Lucian, and love her with all of your heart. Don’t let life complicate it for you. Love is simple. It drives itself. But I’m afraid you have to be present for it to flourish.”
She left then. Lucian stared after her. Tibet was a mistress. Her moral compass was crap, yet she was obviously a romantic. He couldn’t fathom his father’s relationship. It had been complicated and tainted from the start. His regret was a result of his own actions, and Lucian couldn’t be bothered to fix the many bridges Christos had burned in his long journey to the top.
What he did gain from Tibet’s confusing story was that love was complicated enough between two people. He’d seen what happens when three were involved. He’d experienced it with Slade and Monique. Even when three hearts were accepting of the situation, it was awkward. His mother had not consented to Tibet being an addition to their marriage, yet she tolerated it and left this world miserable and alone.
There was no way he was going to repeat his parents’ past. He didn’t share. He loved Evelyn and she loved him, whether she’d admit it or not. If she fell in love with Parker as well, he was doomed.
His heart raced as he dialed his pilot, Ken. He couldn’t get out of there fast enough. He told Ken there was an urgent situation and he needed to return home as soon as possible.
“Sir, we have the engine being looked at now. There was a short somewhere and we’re doing our best to locate the problem.”
“How long?” Lucian asked.
“Should be worked out in a day or two.”
He ground his teeth. “Fine. I want someone working on it round the clock. Call me as soon as we’re ready to go. I’ll be waiting.”
He hung up and fixed his stare on the door. His father would have another day of his time. Lucian would try to be civil and perhaps they could make some headway. It wasn’t going to be long, and as soon as he got the call, he would be gone.