070{FREE, MAKE-UP CHAPTER FOR 035}

Hello, my lovely readers, as promised, this is the second free chapter. Please, I know this doesn't cut it, but forgive me, I implore y'all. I promise to do better in the future.

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Enjoy your read.

CHAPTER 070.

Luciana froze momentarily as Henry's inquiry resonated in her ears. Her heart began racing rapidly as her eyes darted between his annoyed orbs. She noted his hardened expression. She could tell he was upset but judging by the way he looked at her optimistically, Luciana could guess he didn't know the full truth. Perhaps, he just had his suspicions and wanted her to clarify his thoughts. Yes, that may be it. Luciana thought to herself inwardly.

Swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat as she met his glaring gaze, she heaved out wearily as she recoiled from him but Henry's grip around her waist tightened possessively, causing her to halt.

Luciana's face contorted with a frown as the tension between them escalated. She thought of ways to get past this and when she finally found a solution, she began softly, her tone laced with feigned confusion.

"What?" She stuttered, her eyes flickering between his. "I don't understand you, baby. I shouldn't lie to you? I shouldn't lie to you about what?" She questioned.

Henry's jaws clenched as he reciprocated her gaze. "I asked you a question, Luciana. Where were you today? Who did you visit?"

Luciana's frown deepened as she responded with annoyance. "I told you... I have a bedridden friend at the hospital..."

"Which hospital?" He cut her off tersely.

Luciana was stunned and she struggled to utter another word for a moment.

Finally regaining her composure, she shot back. "Where the hell is this coming from? Why are you asking me these questions? Don't you trust me or what?"

"Tell me, Luciana, don't try to twist this. I want to know which hospital you were at today, is that too hard for you to tell?" He corked his thick brow at her.

Luciana licked her lips as she regarded him with frustration. "Yes," she hissed irritably. "With the way you're talking to me like that, it's as if you're interrogating me. I feel like a suspect right now... The fuck," she added, her tone filled with disappointment as she averted her eyes from his.

Henry looked at her hesitantly, his expression still filled with fury. "Are you lying to me, Luciana?" He asked abruptly, causing Luciana to dart her gaze at him again.

"What?" She muttered.

"Are you lying to me, Luciana? Is there something you're not telling me?" Henry asked again, his gaze fixated on her intently.

Luciana swallowed nervously as she contemplated her thoughts. Though her exterior remained confident and unwavering, deep down, her heart pounded in her chest heavily. She couldn't fathom the reasons behind Henry's sudden interrogation. She hadn't realized how much he was suspecting her until now. It seemed he already knew something was amiss but he wasn't certain what was.

Upon this realization, Luciana thought to use this moment to her advantage. She could simply just manipulate him into believing he wasn't thinking straight and he was wrong about his suspicions regarding her. However, it still plagued to know that Henry was beginning to lose trust in her. That wasn't what she needed at the moment. If she were to help Jordan sabotage the upcoming election, she needed Henry wrapped around her finger. Luciana knew she wouldn't be able to achieve that if Henry truly suspected she had something up her sleeves.

Snapping back to reality, Luciana's expression softened as she made to reply to him. She stared at him with manipulative eyes as she began.

"Baby..."

Henry looked between her eyes searchingly.

"Do you trust me?" Luciana asked as they locked eyes.

Henry regarded her skeptically. "Right now, I'm not sure about the answer to that." He replied.

Luciana's heart pricked her painfully but she maintained he composure. She offered a polite smile as she continued. "Why's that?"

Without hesitation, he answered. "I feel like you're lying to me. I feel like you're keeping things from me, Luciana."

"What could that be, If I may ask?"

"That's the problem, if I knew, I wouldn't be here asking you right now, would I?" He retorted. Unknowingly, he had just affirmed Luciana's initial assumptions about him not knowing anything. He was merely suspicious of her, but he didn't really have evidence to prove his suspicion.

Luciana's insides coursed with relief, prompting her to exhale exasperatedly.

She chuckled softly before adding as she reached for Henry's face. "Baby, you can trust me, I promise. Nothing's changed. I'm telling you the truth." She stated.

"Are you sure about that, Luciana?" Henry asked. "You know I have a thing for liars."

She nodded. "I know and I'm reassuring you that you can trust me. I'm still your woman and forever will be," she winked at him as she grazed his face with her thumb softly. Her eyes bore into his seductively as she reached her second hand for his sturdy chest.

"Then how come you're refusing to accept my proposal to make the world know that you're truly mine?" Henry asked skeptically as he regarded her.

Luciana sighed softly. "Baby, I told you, I can't do that. At least not now..."

"Then when exactly, Luciana?" He asked sharply. "Are you still in love with him?"

Though her heart thumped nervously, Luciana's brows furrowed with confusion. "Who are you talking about?"

"Are you still in love with my brother? Jordan." He asked, his gaze holding hers.

Luciana's expression was unwavering as she shook her head. "No. No, I'm not. You're the only man I have eyes for at the moment."

Her words caused a reaction from him and he managed a smile for the first time.

"Are you sure? Is this your way of confessing your feelings for me?" He asked huskily, his hand reaching for her hair.

Seeing the effects her words had on him, Luciana thought to play along.

She shrugged and replied. "Um, maybe. What if?"

"Hmmm," Henry raised his brows enthusiastically, his smile broadening to a boyish grin. He cupped her cheeks and stared at her lovingly before confessing the words.

"I love you, Luciana. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Luciana smiled coyly, her insides fluttering with delight at his confession. "I love you too, Mr. Salvador." She replied and just like that, she had succeeded in keeping him.

Henry reached for her lips, claiming them with his. Shutting their eyes, their tongues teased one another as they deepened the passionate kiss.

Henry's hand roamed her naked body, gliding downward to cup Luciana's lush ass. She gasped out as he grabbed her roughly.

"I'm going to fuck you really hard tonight. That's what you get for causing me to panic over nothing." He whispered in her ears huskily as his hand reached between her thighs.

"I can't wait." Luciana moaned breathlessly as Henry trailed kisses down her neck. In one swift movement, he lifted her by her ass before pushing her to the wall gently. There, he fell to his knees before her, throwing one of her legs on his shoulder as he prepared to eat her out.