Lucian’s POVNoticing how even more quiet the house was than usual, I strode through the halls with measured steps, my mind preoccupied with the weight of the day. But as soon as I reached my bedroom door and pushed it open—I froze.Something was off. In fact, everything was amiss, because the room staring right back at me was empty. My eyes swept across the space, my chest tightening slightly when I noticed the absence of her things.The vanity table where Brenda’s little accessories used to sit? Cleared.Her side of the closet? Vacant.The faint scent of her perfume lingered in the air, but it was the only trace of her left behind.She was gone.A strange feeling gripped me, something I couldn’t immediately place. My first instinct was to tell myself it wasn’t because of anything deep—of course not.It was just the inconvenience of it all that I was feeling this way.Yes. That was it.People would talk—especially at work.I could already hear the whispers."The great Lucian Kingsle
Lucian's POV As soon as I stepped out of the guestroom and into the dimly lit hallway, I let out a sharp breath, dragging a hand down my face. My heart was still pounding, my mind at war with itself.I had gone there to apologize. To make things right.Yet, I had ended up making an absolute mess of it.I stormed back to my room, each step heavy with frustration, regret clinging to me like a second skin. The moment I shut the door behind me, I clenched my fists and exhaled sharply. My stomach churned with unease, but the real problem was my mind—my damn mind that refused to let go of what I had just seen.Brenda.Naked.I had barely gotten a glimpse before I turned away, but the image had seared itself into my brain. Her flawless skin, the way her wet hair clung to her shoulders, and—damn it—those curves, those perfect, round—I cursed under my breath and shook my head violently. No.I wasn’t supposed to think about her like that.This wasn’t supposed to happen.I had spent days, week
Lucian's POVI wasn’t sure how long I sat at Brenda's door, my back pressed against the door, my elbows resting on my knees. I had knocked on the door a few times but she would either not answer me at all or yell at me to go away. The weight of everything pressed down on me—regret, guilt, confusion.The realization that I loved Brenda had shaken me to my core, but now that I had acknowledged it, I didn’t know what to do with it.Love wasn’t supposed to be part of this.This marriage had been a strategic move, a well-crafted plan to get my parents off my back. And it had worked. But now… now things had spiraled into something I had never anticipated.I had hurt her. Over and over again.And now she was crying because of me.Her voice had been thick with emotion when she yelled at me to go away, and it tore through me like a blade. I had never been able to handle her tears, and knowing I was the reason behind them made it worse.I took a slow breath, steeling myself.Then, in a softer
Brenda's POVThe moment the words left Lucian’s lips, I froze.I love you, Brenda.For a second, my mind couldn’t even process it. Had I misheard him? Had he actually said that?But then I saw the way he looked at me—his eyes steady, unwavering. There was no mockery, no smirk playing on his lips. Just sincerity.And I laughed.It started as a small chuckle, an incredulous burst of disbelief, but it quickly grew into something almost hysterical. Laughter bubbled out of me, sharp and bitter, as I took a step back and shook my head."You love me?" I repeated, my voice dripping with sarcasm.Lucian didn’t flinch. He just stood there, watching me, as if bracing himself for the storm he knew was coming."You must be joking," I continued, crossing my arms over my chest. "Because I am not in the mood for jokes right now."Silence stretched between us, thick and heavy. I felt like I was standing in the middle of a battlefield, my anger crackling like flames while Lucian remained calm, composed
Brenda's POVLucian's question still hung in the air before me waiting for an answer, yet I didn't know what to say to him. I felt like a deer caught in the headlights, my mind racing through the memories I had buried so deep—the blood, the fear, the cold night when I ran for my life.I remembered that night at Lucian’s mansion, when the cops were after me, when I had been desperate for shelter. When he had asked me in that dark night how I ended up there, and I—shaking and breathless—told him about finding out my father was murdered and how, while trying to flee from the same assailant, I got entangled in another crime.Back then, he hadn’t seen my face clearly. The darkness had shrouded my identity. He never recognized me. Not then. Not now.And I needed to keep it that way.If I repeated the story now, if I gave even a shred of that truth, Lucian—intelligent, calculating Lucian—would piece it together.He would know.So I swallowed down the truth, ignoring the burn in my throat,
Brenda's POVA sharp gasp slipped past my lips as the towel pooled around my feet, leaving me completely bare before Lucian—for the second time. The air felt electric, the tension between us thick and undeniable. My skin burned under his intense gaze, his sharp breath the only sound between us.I should have reached for the towel, should have shielded myself, but I couldn’t move. His eyes—dark, filled with something primal and unrelenting—pinned me in place.Then, he shot up to his feet, taking one step toward me, then another. Like a predator closing in on its prey, his steps were slow and measured.A shiver ran down my spine, anticipation curling deep in my belly as Lucian stopped only inches away from me. His breath, warm and uneven, fanned against my cheek.“I—” My voice broke, but before I could think, his fingers skimmed over my bare shoulders, trailing down my arms with a touch so light, so reverent, that my entire body trembled.His eyes were fixated on my breasts as though h
Brenda’s POVA dull ache pulsed through my body the moment I stirred awake, stretching lazily against the soft sheets. At first, I frowned, wondering why every muscle in me felt so deliciously sore. Then, like a tap being switched on, memories of last night rushed in, flooding every corner of my mind.Lucian. His hands. His lips. His body moving in perfect rhythm with mine. And then, the sex!We freaking had sex!A deep blush crept up my cheeks as I bit my lip, warmth spreading through my chest. I had given myself to Lucian—fully, completely. It wasn’t just my first time; it was my first time with someone I loved. Someone who, for the first time, I believed loved me back.I was glad I gave away my virginity to someone like Lucian and not Ralph who chose to betray me instead.I let out a small, contented sigh, sinking deeper into the mattress. Last night had been intense, breathtaking, and unlike anything I had ever imagined. Every touch, every whisper while stroking deep inside me, ev
Brenda’s POVAs I sat across from Lucian at the breakfast table, stirring my coffee absentmindedly, the question that had been lingering in my mind since last night resurfaced.I had been moments away from asking it before he silenced me with a kiss, one so deep and consuming that all rational thoughts had evaporated. But now, with the glow of last night still lingering between us, I needed answers.I set my cup down, gathering the courage to voice my thoughts. "Lucian…"He looked up from his plate, his sharp blue eyes flickering with curiosity. "Hmm?"I hesitated for a second but then pressed on. "What happens now?"A small crease formed between his brows. "What do you mean?"I exhaled slowly, choosing my words carefully. "The contract, Lucian. We set rules—no intimacy, no sex. And we broke them. So… what happens with the contract now?"Recognition flashed in his eyes, followed by a slow exhale as he leaned back against his chair. "Ah, that.""Yes, that." I nodded, watching his expre
Lucian’s POV“Brenda! Brenda, please!”My voice was hoarse, raw with desperation as I cradled her limp body against me. The warmth of her blood seeped into my clothes, sticky and thick, a constant reminder that she was slipping away. My heart pounded in my chest, my breaths ragged as I shook her lightly, willing her to open her eyes, to say something—anything.Tears burned at the edges of my vision, but I refused to let them fall.I couldn’t lose her.I wouldn’t lose her.“Damn it, Brenda, stay with me!” My voice cracked as I pulled her closer. “Don’t do this—don’t you dare leave me like this.”She didn’t respond.A strangled sob tore from my throat, and I pressed my forehead against hers, murmuring broken pleas against her skin. My entire body trembled as panic surged through me, drowning out all rational thought.I had to get her to a hospital.Now.With a deep breath, I swallowed the fear choking me and gathered her in my arms, staggering to my feet. Sweat dripped down my temples
Lucian’s POVMy fingers trembled slightly as I fast-forwarded through the CCTV footage, scanning each second with sharp focus. The tension in the room was suffocating, the only sounds being the low hum of the computer and the occasional sharp intake of my breath. My eyes burned from staring too long at the screen, but I couldn’t afford to blink—not until I found something.And then I did.Vanessa appeared on the screen, emerging from the restroom. Her posture was relaxed, unaware of the impending danger.Then her phone rang.I watched as she pulled it out of her purse, answering with a quick swipe. I couldn’t hear what was being said, but her reaction was immediate—her brows lifted in surprise, then a slow, eager smile spread across her face. Whatever was being told to her, it excited her.Then, without hesitation, she turned and started walking.My pulse spiked as I tracked her movements. She wasn’t heading back to the party—she was heading toward the exit.“Where the hell are you g
Lucian’s POVIt had been five weeks since Vanessa was released and reunited with her sister and mother. Five weeks since the dust began to settle, since the chaos that once tore through all our lives finally started to fade into something resembling peace.In those five weeks, everything had changed.My father had been sentenced to ten years in prison, a fate that somehow felt both too lenient and just enough. Meanwhile, Grayson had received life imprisonment—a fitting end for a man who had thrived on destruction.But justice didn't stop there.Since Grayson had stolen Miller’s capital—money meant for Mrs. Elizabeth’s fashion design business—along with her entire business idea, the court had ruled that the business rightfully belonged to her. The legal process to transfer ownership back to her was still ongoing, but soon, she would finally reclaim what had always been hers.Yes, a lot had changed.And as I sat on the couch, lazily scrolling through my phone, I couldn’t help but feel a
Vanessa’s POVThe past few days had been nothing short of a nightmare—a slow, painful unraveling of everything I thought I knew about myself.I had always carried myself with an air of superiority, proud of the wealth and power that surrounded me, believing I was untouchable. But now… now, I was nothing. A nobody.The moment Grayson had looked me in the eye and coldly told me that I wasn’t his real daughter, my entire world came crashing down. The man I had spent my entire life seeking validation from, the one I had desperately tried to impress, had never even considered me his own.I was just an adopted child.The words had cut deeper than I could have ever imagined.And if that wasn’t enough, yesterday’s revelation had struck the final blow—the one that shattered me completely.Officer Smith had walked into this cell, looked me dead in the eye, and delivered a truth so painful I had struggled to breathe.Brenda.Brenda, the woman I had despised with every fiber of my being. The wom
Brenda’s POVThe air in the hospital room remained thick with tension, the weight of Officer Smith’s revelation still settling over us. Grayson had been the one to order my father’s murder. The thought alone sent another wave of cold rage through me, but before I could fully process it, Officer Smith’s gaze suddenly shifted.I noticed how his eyes moved—from Mrs. Elizabeth to me, then back to her again. A slow, almost knowing smile spread across his face, and I felt a strange sense of unease rise within me.“What is it?” Lucian asked, his brows furrowing slightly.Officer Smith finally spoke, his voice carrying a kind of anticipation that made my heart pound faster.“Mrs. Elizabeth,” he began, his eyes flickering between the both of us again. “It would interest you to know that Brenda—seated right here—is your biological daughter.”The words hit me like a slap.I felt my body jolt slightly as I blinked rapidly, my mind trying to process what I had just heard. My mouth parted slightly,
Brenda's POVI couldn’t just blurt it out.Not like this.Not when Mrs. Elizabeth had only just regained her memory, not when she was still fragile from years of lost time. I feared that the shock might be too much for her, that her body—already weakened from everything she had endured—might not be able to handle the pain of this truth.But she wasn’t going to stop asking.Her panicked eyes searched mine, pleading for an answer I didn’t want to give. The desperation in her voice clawed at my heart.So I did the only thing I could.I stepped closer, lowering myself beside her hospital bed.Her breath hitched as she looked up at me, hope flickering in her gaze, waiting for me to say that everything was fine—that Miller was alive and well, waiting somewhere for her.But I couldn’t give her that.I swallowed hard, my throat tight with emotion, and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.I didn’t say a word.I didn’t have to.The moment my fingers squeezed lightly, the warmth of my touch mea
Brenda's POVThe hospital room erupted into chaos.A mix of confusion, disbelief, and an overwhelming sense of unease swept over me as I tried to process what had just happened. My heart pounded so loudly in my chest that it almost drowned out the voices around me.I turned sharply to Lucian, my mind racing. “How—” The words barely left my lips before Officer Smith stepped forward, cutting me off with a firm but curious tone.“How did you know that name?” Officer Smith asked Lucian, his eyes narrowing. “How did you know Miller George was her husband?”Lucian exhaled, rubbing a hand down his face as if deciding how best to explain what he knew. His expression was serious—more serious than I had ever seen it.“I overheard it,” Lucian admitted. “Back when Grayson and his father were arguing. They mentioned his name.”My breath hitched. “What?”Lucian nodded, his eyes flickering to me before returning to Officer Smith. “I didn’t think much of it at the time,” he continued, “but from what
Brenda’s POVAs Lucian turned the knob and swung the door open, the sight of Officer Smith standing there sent a ripple of surprise through the room.A thick silence settled as everyone took in his unexpected presence. Mrs. Elizabeth shifted slightly in her seat, her expression puzzled. I could sense Lucian stiffen beside me, his sharp eyes scanning the officer as if trying to gauge the reason behind his visit."Good evening," Officer Smith greeted, his voice even but carrying an air of urgency. His gaze flickered over everyone before finally settling on me. "Ms. Brenda, Mr. Lucian, I see I’ve come at the right time."A tight knot formed in my stomach. Why was he here? How did he even find us? My fingers clenched slightly at my sides as my mind raced with possible reasons. Was it about the investigation? Had something happened? Was it bad news?"If you’re wondering how I found you," he continued as if reading the unspoken questions in our eyes, "I went to your house first, Ms. Brenda.
Brenda's POVMrs. Elizabeth’s tears flowed freely, her shoulders quivering slightly as the weight of her words settled over us like a thick, suffocating fog. I sat frozen, trying to grasp the depth of what she had just revealed. She had been pregnant… with twin girls.Twin girls.My heart pounded in my chest. I could barely breathe as she continued speaking through her sobs."I had no choice but to leave my husband," she murmured, her voice raw with pain. "I was terrified. I thought I was protecting him… protecting myself. I didn’t even tell him I was carrying his children."Lucian sat motionless beside me, his usually sharp and composed features softened by an emotion I couldn’t quite place. His hand curled into a tight fist against his thigh, his knuckles turning white."I gave birth alone," Mrs. Elizabeth went on, her gaze distant, as if she was reliving those painful memories. "Two beautiful girls… my little angels. I raised them myself. It wasn’t easy, but I tried. I did everythi