Lorenzo Accardi POV

I had just finished reviewing some documents when my phone began vibrating against the glass surface of my desk.

The sound echoed softly in the quiet office.

I glanced down absentmindedly, expecting it to be another business call or a report from one of the council members. But the moment my eyes landed on the screen, my brows lifted slightly in surprise.

Otello Bianchi.

A small smile appeared on my face.

It had been quite some time since we last spoke.

Without wasting another second, I picked up the phone and pressed the green button before bringing it to my ear.

“Accept my greetings, Mr. Bianchi. How are you?” I greeted respectfully.

Otello Bianchi was one of the few people in our world whom I genuinely respected. He was not only a powerful Alpha but also a man of integrity and wisdom. He had always treated me with kindness—even during times when the world around me was not so forgiving.

“Greetings to you too, Alpha Lorenzo. I am doing well. How are you?” he replied politely.

The moment the word Alpha left his lips, I sighed softly.

I had never liked being addressed like that by elders.

Titles were for formal gatherings and political meetings, not for people who had known me since I was younger.

“Please call me Lorenzo,” I said gently.

For a brief second there was silence before he chuckled warmly.

“Very well, Lorenzo. But on one condition.”

I leaned back slightly in my chair, curious.

“And what condition is that?”

“If I call you by your name, then you must call me Uncle.”

A smile tugged at my lips.

“That seems fair,” I replied. “Alright… Uncle.”

His laughter echoed through the phone.

“So, Lorenzo,” he continued after a moment, his tone becoming slightly more serious, “I called today because I wanted to talk about something important.”

Immediately my full attention sharpened.

I straightened in my chair and closed the file in front of me.

“I wanted to speak to your father first,” he continued, “but I heard he is currently in the United States. Considering the time difference, he must be asleep right now. So I thought it would be better to talk to you instead. After all, you are the one who handles most of the family matters now.”

He ended the sentence with a soft laugh.

I smiled faintly.

That part was unfortunately true.

“Of course, Uncle,” I said sincerely. “Tell me how I can help you.”

There was a small pause before he finally spoke.

“I was calling regarding a possible alliance.”

I leaned back slowly, waiting for him to continue.

“I was thinking about Vincenzo… and my daughter, Gia.”

For a moment, I forgot to breathe.

Then suddenly, a strange warmth spread through my chest.

A proposal… for Vincenzo.

As his elder brother, nothing in this world would make me happier than seeing him finally find someone who could bring light into his dark, guarded life.

But at the same time… I knew my brother.

Vincenzo did not believe in relationships.

He did not believe in love.

Not after everything he had gone through.

Many times, I had tried to speak to him about marriage, about companionship, about having someone beside him.

Every single time he avoided the topic like it was poison.

Even Mother—who was technically my stepmother but whom I respected deeply—worried constantly about him.

She never said it openly, but I knew her heart ached whenever she thought about how lonely he truly was.

And yet…

Otello Bianchi was not someone whose proposal could simply be dismissed without thought.

He was respected across the entire werewolf world.

And I had met his daughter a few times when she was younger during diplomatic gatherings.

But that was years ago.

I had no idea what kind of woman she had grown into now.

Still… a small voice inside my mind whispered something hopeful.

Maybe this was destiny finally knocking on Vincenzo’s door.

“That is wonderful to hear, Uncle,” I said sincerely.

“I would very much like to meet your family,” he continued carefully. “And if possible… Vincenzo too.”

His hesitation was understandable.

Everyone in our circles knew that Vincenzo stayed away from Brussels as much as possible.

He had built his own life in Frankfurt—far from royal politics, far from palace walls, far from the whispers of society.

“I think it would be best if we meet first,” I suggested thoughtfully. “You already know that Vincenzo is not currently in Brussels. But I will speak to him and ask him to visit soon.”

“That would be perfect,” he replied warmly.

After a few more polite exchanges, we ended the call.

The moment the phone left my ear, I sat silently for a few seconds, staring at the screen.

Then I immediately dialled another number.

If there was one person who deserved to know about this before anyone else, it was her.

The phone rang twice before it was answered.

“Greetings, Lorenzo.”

Her voice sounded cheerful.

Even through the phone, I could hear the warmth in her tone.

“Accept my greetings, Aunty,” I said respectfully. “How are you?”

“I am doing well, my dear,” she replied lovingly. “Tell me, how are you? How is Aria? And the children? Is everything peaceful in the palace?”

I chuckled softly.

Those were always the first questions she asked.

“Everyone is doing well,” I replied. “You should come visit soon. The kids would love to see you.”

“I definitely will,” she said warmly.

There was a brief pause before I finally spoke again.

“Aunty… I wanted to talk to you about something important.”

Her tone immediately became attentive.

“What is it, dear?”

“I received a marriage proposal today… for Vincenzo.”

For a moment, there was complete silence on the other end.

Then suddenly—

“Oh my God! Really?”

Her voice burst with excitement like that of a child.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, I could not stop the smile that spread across my face.

“Yes,” I confirmed gently. “Otello Bianchi wishes for his daughter Gia to marry Vincenzo.”

Her happiness was almost palpable through the phone.

“Lorenzo… you have no idea how happy this makes me.”

Then she added softly,

“But you do not need my permission for such matters. I trust you completely. I know you will always do what is best for him.”

Her words were sincere.

But I shook my head.

“No, Aunty. You are his mother. You deserve to know everything about him.”

A soft sigh escaped her.

“But Lorenzo… he will not agree,” she murmured sadly. “You know how he is. The moment I mentioned marriage once; he practically ran away from the conversation.”

I rubbed my forehead slightly.

Yes.

That sounded exactly like Vincenzo.

“Do not worry,” I assured her calmly. “First, we will meet the girl and her family. If she seems right for him… I will convince him.”

“You always find a way,” she said softly.

After ending the call, I contacted Uncle Bianchi again and scheduled the meeting for the coming weekend.

Once everything was arranged, I informed Aria as well.

She listened quietly… and then smiled in that mysterious way of hers.

“I have a feeling this girl might be interesting,” she had said.

________________________________________

A week passed quickly.

Soon it was the weekend.

The palace was buzzing with activity.

Servants moved through the hallways making final preparations for the guests’ arrival.

The living room had been arranged perfectly, flowers placed carefully, tea prepared, everything in its place.

I sat on the couch scrolling through my phone while chaos unfolded somewhere deeper inside the palace.

Aria’s voice echoed loudly through the halls.

She was probably chasing after our three little devils.

And to make matters worse, my cousin’s children were also visiting.

I sighed and shook my head.

My peaceful palace had become a battlefield.

My attention shifted when I noticed Aunty sitting nearby.

She was twisting a handkerchief nervously in her hands.

Her eyes carried a familiar anxiety.

I leaned toward her slightly.

“You do know they are not coming here to see you, right?” I teased gently.

She smiled faintly but the worry remained.

“I know… but what if they…”

Her voice trailed off.

I immediately understood.

“Aunty,” I said firmly, placing my hand over hers, “we are not hiding anything. Vincenzo is not an illegitimate child. Father married you before he was even born.”

Tears filled her eyes.

“That does not matter,” she whispered. “Many people still think I ruined my sister’s marriage.”

Her voice broke slightly.

Even after all these years… she still carried that guilt.

My chest tightened.

“You are worrying for nothing,” I assured her firmly. “I am on your side. No one will disrespect you here.”

“And if they do,” Aria’s voice suddenly interrupted from behind us, “then they are definitely not worthy of our Vincenzo.”

I turned and smiled at her.

She always knew exactly when to appear.

Moments later, a maid approached us.

“Alpha, the Bianchi family has arrived.”

We all stood and walked toward the entrance to welcome them.

But the moment I stepped outside…

I froze.

Near the car stood a girl.

She was leaning casually against the vehicle, looking around the palace grounds.

And then—

She whistled.

I blinked.

Wait.

Did she just whistle?

At the palace?

At the house of the man, she was potentially going to marry?

She wore ripped jeans, a short crop top, and a cap with a bold letter ‘G’ on it.

Her eyes were hidden behind sunglasses.

She was casually chewing gum.

This…

This was definitely not how a princess usually presented herself.

Somewhere deep inside my mind, a voice had already decided.

This alliance will never work.

But Aria caught my glance.

And she winked.

I narrowed my eyes at her.

She was enjoying this far too much.

Suppressing a smirk, I stepped forward.

“Accept my greetings. I hope your journey was comfortable, Uncle?”

“Greetings, Alpha and Luna,” he replied respectfully.

I immediately shook my head.

“First, it is Lorenzo for you. And second, you are my elder. King or not, I cannot forget my manners. Please, come inside.”

Then the girl stepped forward.

She removed her sunglasses.

And for the first time…

I saw her eyes.

Clear.

Bright.

Surprisingly pure.

“Accept my greetings,” she said politely.

My earlier judgment faltered slightly.

“Greetings to you too,” I replied with a nod.

“This is my daughter, Gia,” Uncle said proudly.

Aria stepped forward immediately.

“You are very pretty, Gia. And I absolutely love your name.”

I looked at Aria.

That smile she was giving Gia…

That was usually reserved only for me.

Which meant one thing.

My wife already liked her.

And that complicated things.

A lot.

As we all moved inside and began talking, I slowly started noticing more about the girl.

She was an Oxford graduate.

She understood politics remarkably well.

She loved music and singing.

And she had travelled to half the world with her band.

Independent.

Confident.

Fearless.

And surprisingly intelligent.

Slowly… my earlier judgment began to shift.

But still…

Two days.

That was all I needed.

Because no one can pretend forever.

And I intended to see the real Gia Bianchi before making any decision about my brother’s future.

Lorenzo’s POV

“Good morning.”

We all looked up at the sound of a bright, cheerful voice that seemed to fill the room with unexpected warmth.

“Oh, my… my.”

The girl walked toward Zara and Zen, our two-year-old twins, who were sitting in their baby chairs and happily smearing mashed potatoes all over their tiny hands and faces. Beside them sat Lio, our eldest son, who was carefully eating his breakfast with a seriousness far beyond his seven years.

“Hi, I’m Gia,” she said softly, bending slightly to their level.

Zen paused mid-bite, his spoon hanging in the air as he stared at her with wide doe-like eyes. Zara tilted her head curiously, studying Gia’s face with deep concentration as if she were trying to read her soul.

For a moment, the twins simply stared.

Then, slowly, their small faces lit up with smiles.

I could not help but notice it.

Children have a strange instinct. They understand only one language—love. And somehow, they sense sincerity far better than adults ever could. If someone carries even the slightest trace of falsehood, children react immediately.

But Zara and Zen had accepted her instantly.

That meant something.

“She is my sister, Zara,” Lio announced in his usual calm tone, pointing toward the tiny girl beside him, “and he is my brother, Zen.”

His expression was almost comically serious.

I could not stop the faint smile tugging at my lips.

There it was again—my genes.

That same quiet composure.

That same habit of observing before speaking.

Sometimes I wonder if I should be proud of it or worried about it.

A part of me does not like seeing him so reserved at such a young age. Children should be loud, careless, playful. But then again, some things cannot be changed.

Nature has its own design.

My gaze shifted back toward Gia.

She crouched slightly beside the twins, wiping a bit of mashed potato from Zen’s cheek with a tissue while laughing softly. Zara had already grabbed her finger, as if claiming ownership of her.

Gia did not seem uncomfortable at all.

In fact, she looked completely natural around them.

She spoke to them in that soft, playful tone that children instinctively trust.

I silently observed her.

She had already made a good impression on the rest of the family, but one opinion mattered to me above all others.

Aria’s.

“My queen,” I said calmly, rising from my seat, “I want to see you in my study.”

Without waiting for an answer, I walked away.

Grandfather and Uncle were already engaged in a serious discussion about politics, and Gia was completely absorbed with the children.

Moments later, Aria entered the study.

“Alpha.”

She stood before me with that graceful confidence that had always captivated me.

“Come here.”

I motioned toward her.

She walked closer, and I lifted her gently, making her sit on the edge of my desk.

The moment she settled there, I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer.

The familiar warmth of her body immediately calmed something restless inside me.

For a moment, I buried my face against her, breathing in her scent.

God.

Even after all these years, this woman still felt like my peace.

“Alpha,” she whispered softly, pushing lightly against my shoulders, “leave me now. Someone might come.”

“No one would dare disturb their king when he is with his queen,” I murmured.

Her cheeks flushed faintly.

“After so many years,” she sighed, shaking her head slightly, “I still wonder what kind of obsession you have.”

“It’s not an obsession,” I replied quietly.

“It’s my peace.”

I rested my forehead against her shoulder, letting the warmth of her presence steady me.

She sighed softly, but I could see the faint smile she tried to hide.

“You are impossible,” she murmured.

“And yet,” I replied lightly, adjusting her scarf back into place, “you married me.”

“Some mistakes are irreversible,” she said, though her eyes sparkled with affection.

“Gosh,” I muttered dramatically, stepping back slightly, “you will be the death of me one day, my queen.”

She shot me an amused glare.

But I knew her too well.

“Be ready for a cold shower tonight,” she warned teasingly.

My confident smirk disappeared instantly.

“My queen,” I groaned dramatically, taking her hand, “do not be so cruel.”

She laughed softly before pulling her hand away.

“We’ll discuss your crimes later,” she said calmly. “Now tell me why you called me here.”

That was one of the many reasons I loved this woman.

She always knew exactly when to switch from playfulness to seriousness.

“What do you think about Gia?” I asked.

Aria did not hesitate.

“My king,” she said thoughtfully, “if you are asking for my advice, I would say yes.”

“She is perfect for Vincenzo.”

I frowned slightly.

“Don’t you think she’s… too forward?” I asked carefully.

“And Vincenzo is too closed.”

Aria smiled gently.

“Opposites attract,” she said.

“Look at us.”

I could not argue with that.

Still, my chest tightened slightly as I walked toward the window.

“Vincenzo has had a very difficult life,” I said quietly.

My reflection stared back at me through the glass.

“And now… I just want happiness for him.”

The guilt I had buried for years stirred again.

Vincenzo never blamed me for anything.

But that didn’t erase the fact that he had suffered because of the mistakes of others.

Because of our family.

Because of decisions he never asked for.

“Do not worry,” Aria said softly behind me.

“She is the one.”

I wanted to believe her.

But I also knew Vincenzo.

He was not the man people saw on the surface.

What he showed the world was carefully controlled.

The real storm lived much deeper.

“He won’t accept her easily,” I said quietly.

“Maybe not at all.”

“And I don’t want to destroy this cheerful girl’s life.”

Aria stepped closer and touched my arm.

“Sometimes,” she said gently, “the right person doesn’t destroy your life.”

“They rebuild it.”

I exhaled slowly.

“Send Gia,” I said after a moment.

Aria nodded and left without another word.

She always understood me without explanations.

A few minutes later, there was a knock.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Gia stepped inside.

“Sit,” I said, gesturing toward the chair.

She sat comfortably, looking directly at me without nervousness.

“Queen told me you wanted to speak with me.”

I studied her carefully.

“Do you know who Vincenzo is?”

She shrugged slightly.

“I know he’s your brother from another mother.”

For a moment, I simply stared at her.

That single sentence filled me with unexpected satisfaction.

For the first time, someone had described our relationship exactly as it was.

Not stepbrother.

Not half-brother.

Just… brother.

I nodded slowly.

“Vincenzo’s life was not easy,” I said seriously.

“He has seen too much at a very young age.”

“I am proud of him. Everything he has built—his company, his reputation—he achieved through his own hard work.”

“But the world has shaped him into the man he is today.”

Gia listened quietly.

Then she spoke.

“Alpha,” she said calmly, “nothing is permanent.”

“Not the past. Not the future.”

Her voice carried quiet conviction.

Before she arrived, I had already investigated everything about her.

Her education.

Her work.

Her travels.

Her reputation.

She was not pretending.

Her words came from her heart.

“Why do you want to marry him?” I asked directly.

“You know life won’t be easy with him.”

She met my gaze without hesitation.

“I want to be someone’s need,” she said softly.

“I want to be someone’s desire.”

Then her lips curved into a small smile.

“And I won’t lie.”

“Vincenzo is my desire.”

The determination in her eyes surprised me.

She wasn’t dreaming of a crown.

She wasn’t chasing power.

She wanted him.

Just him.

“The one who understands someone’s pain,” I said quietly, “is often the one who can heal it.”

She nodded.

“I just need you to guide me,” she said.

“The way you guided Vincenzo.”

That caught my attention immediately.

“How do you know about that?”

“Papa told me, “She replied.

“He said you once asked him to reconsider Vincenzo’s company’s price quotation before rejecting it.”

“There was a time when people wouldn’t even read the proposal because it came from Vincenzo Accardi.”

She smiled sadly.

“He had to fight twice as hard just to be taken seriously.”

Silence filled the room.

At that moment, I knew.

She understood him.

Maybe… more than most people ever would.

“Then start practicing calling him your king,” I said with a smirk.

Her cheeks flushed instantly spreading from her face down to her neck.

At least she still blushes.

Otherwise, she behaves like a fearless tomboy.

As she left the room, I leaned back in my chair.

One brother is calm like the ocean.

Deep.

Quiet.

Dangerous.

The other…

She is a storm.

Bright.

Fearless.

Unpredictable.

Their journey will not be easy.

But it will definitely be interesting.

Now comes the most difficult task.

How do I convince Vincenzo to come to Brussels?

Vincenzo POV

I walk along the same road as I do every single morning, following the routine that has become such an inseparable part of my life that I no longer even think about it.

My hands remain tucked deep inside the pockets of my long overcoat, shielding them from the cold as the chilly morning air brushes against my face. The winter breeze carries a sharpness that seeps through the fabric of my clothes, but the coat does its job well enough to keep the worst of it away.

My glasses sit comfortably on the bridge of my nose, slightly fogging with each warm breath I release into the cold air. The city around me is already awake people walking briskly to work, cars moving in slow lines, the distant hum of everyday life echoing through the streets.

But for me, everything feels calm.

Predictable.

Controlled.

I reach the same spot where my car waits every morning. My driver stands beside it, as punctual and dependable as always.

The moment he sees me approaching, he straightens slightly and gives me a respectful nod.

I return the gesture with a small smile.

No words pass between us, as usual.

They never have.

Over the years, our silence has become its own language. A language made of small gestures, brief glances, and quiet understanding. He has never needed me to explain what I want, and I have never needed him to ask.

He simply knows.

In a world where people constantly demand explanations, conversations, and emotions, having someone who understands without words feels like a rare blessing.

Sometimes I wonder if he realizes how grateful I am for that.

I slide into the backseat of the car, settling comfortably against the soft leather as the door closes quietly behind me.

The car begins moving almost immediately.

As always, we travel the entire distance to the company building without exchanging a single word.

And yet, it never feels awkward.

The silence is peaceful.

Comfortable.

When we finally arrive at the company, the large glass building reflects the pale winter sunlight, its tall structure standing proudly among the other skyscrapers of the city.

My driver steps out first and opens the door for me.

I give him another small nod before stepping out and adjusting the sleeves of my coat.

The moment I walk inside, the familiar atmosphere of the office greets me.

Employees passing through the hallway offer polite smiles and cheerful greetings.

"Good morning, sir."

"Good morning, Mr. Vincenzo."

I acknowledge them all with a gentle nod or a brief smile, continuing toward my cabin.

Despite being the owner of the company, I have never liked creating distance between myself and the people who work here. Respect goes both ways.

And they deserve it.

Reaching my cabin, I remove my coat and hang it neatly before walking toward my desk.

Today's schedule is surprisingly light.

No back-to-back meetings.

No urgent reports waiting for my review.

For once, the day feels... calm.

So before diving into work, I pick up my freshly prepared cup of coffee and walk toward the large floor-to-ceiling window that overlooks the city.

The view from here has always been my favourite part of the office.

The city stretches endlessly before my eyes-cars moving like tiny streams of light, people walking far below, buildings standing tall like silent witnesses to thousands of lives unfolding every day.

I bring the cup to my lips and take a slow sip.

The warmth spreads instantly through my body.

The bitterness of the coffee settles on my tongue, familiar and comforting.

For a brief moment, I close my eyes, allowing the warmth and the taste to calm the endless noise inside my mind.

Coffee has always had that effect on me.

It slows my thoughts.

Grounds me.

Just as I am about to take another sip, my phone rings from the desk behind me.

I turn around, slightly annoyed at the interruption.

But the moment I glance at the screen, the irritation disappears.

A smile forms on my face.

My brother.

I answer the call immediately.

"Accept my greetings, brother," I say as soon as the call connects.

A deep chuckle reaches my ears.

"Greetings, champ. How are you?"

His voice is exactly the same as it has always been-deep, calm, and steady.

Lorenzo has never been a man of excessive emotions.

He rarely shows what he feels.

But I know him better than anyone.

And I know how much he loves me.

"I am good," I reply softly. "How are you? And how is everyone at home?"

As I speak, I can faintly hear my sister-in-law's voice somewhere in the background, probably scolding the children for something.

A small smile spreads across my face.

"All are good," Lorenzo answers casually.

"How are the little munchkins?" I ask teasingly. "Are they giving you a tough time?"

Just imagining the chaos those three little devils create in that house is enough to make me laugh.

I can only imagine how exhausted my sister-in-law must feel sometimes.

And though Lorenzo would never admit it, I am sure even he struggles to keep up with them.

"When will I get the chance to ask you the same question?" he replies smoothly, completely ignoring my question.

Of course.

I sigh quietly.

I know exactly where this conversation is heading.

"Mom was saying she is planning to visit the kids soon?" I quickly change the subject, hoping to escape the trap he is setting.

If he thinks he is clever, he should remember one important thing.

I am his brother.

When there is silence on the other end of the call, I frown slightly.

"Bro, are you there?"

"I am right here," he replies calmly. "And I am waiting for my answer."

The smugness in his voice makes me roll my eyes.

Sometimes he is just too smart for my liking.

Taking a slow breath, I finally answer.

"Not in the near future."

There is no point lying.

He knows me too well.

"Okay," he says after a moment. "I will not force you."

His tone softens slightly.

"Take care of yourself. And call me if you need anything."

The way he says it makes me smile again.

Even after all these years, he still talks to me like I am a five-year-old child who might get lost without supervision.

And strangely enough...

I do not mind it.

"I will," I reply quietly.

He hums in response before disconnecting the call.

I lower the phone slowly.

I know he understands that I may never get married.

But he never stops hoping.

And he never stops trying.

Sometimes I wonder if he worries about my loneliness more than I do.

Shaking the thought away, I take a deep breath and sit down in my chair, finally focusing on the work waiting for me.

Hours pass faster than I expect.

By the time I realize it, most of the day's work has already been completed.

Now I am simply reviewing strategies for expanding the company further when I hear a soft knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door opens gently, and Ms. Carlo walks inside.

"Sir, is there anything you need? I will be leaving for my class," she says politely, standing near the door.

This is part of her routine.

She always checks before leaving.

I glance up briefly and shake my head.

"No. You may leave."

"Okay, sir, then I will-"

The door suddenly opens again before she can finish.

Valerio walks in holding a file.

"Vincenzo, I need your signature," he says casually. "Check the documents and sign them. I will collect them tomorrow."

His tone is normal.

But the moment his eyes land on Ms. Carlo, his expression changes.

His gaze hardens.

Ms. Carlo immediately lowers her eyes, clearly uncomfortable.

"You may leave, Ms. Carlo," I say calmly while opening the file.

But Valerio suddenly speaks.

"Where are you going?" he asks sharply.

His voice is colder than usual.

"You have class in the evening. Why are you leaving so early? Or have you started taking us for granted already?"

Ms. Carlo stiffens.

"Let me tell you one thing," he continues harshly. "You already have privileges in this company, so you better respect that."

I close my eyes briefly, controlling my irritation.

This is not like him.

"Si... sir..." Isa tries to speak, but Valerio interrupts her again.

"Oh yes," he scoffs. "How can I forget? People like you never value good deeds."

The words sting.

I can see it clearly on Isa's face.

She is trying desperately not to cry.

"Enough, Valerio," I say firmly.

"She has her exam today. That is why she is leaving early."

He snorts dismissively.

What is his problem with this poor girl?

"You may go, Ms. Carlo," I repeat gently.

She nods quickly and turns toward the door.

But before she can leave, Valerio speaks again.

"Take your bag and come outside," he orders. "I will drop you. I have work nearby, and your college is on my way."

I lean back in my chair, completely stunned.

Valerio offering someone a ride?

That is... unexpected.

"No, si-" Isa tries to refuse.

"I dare you to say anything," he says through clenched teeth.

This behaviour is so unlike him that it leaves me momentarily speechless.

Isa nods silently and walks out.

I immediately turn toward Valerio.

But before I can ask anything, he speaks.

"Not today, Vincenzo."

Then he walks out.

I stare at the door long after he disappears.

Confusion swirls in my mind.

What just happened?