LUCAS' POV “Twelve hours? How could I have been asleep for twelve hours?” Audrey asked in confusion and I took a seat beside her as I held her hands in mine. “I haven't spoken with the doctor but I feel it must be the stress you've had to go through all these while. I'm sorry you had to go through them because of me.” I replied and she immediately shook her head as she wrapped her hands around me and hugged me tightly. “Don't be sorry for anything. I'm sure it's nothing. I'm probably just very tired and need some rest. See, I'm fine now. I don't even feel any pain at all.” She said and I let out a sigh of defeat as I gently stroked her hair. If anything happened to her, I wouldn't be able to take it. “Alright, I had to make sure I was here when you wake up, I'll go see the Doctor now. Stay here and don't move, alright?” I asked and she nodded before placing a soft kiss on my cheek, causing me to smile. “I'll be fine, you should go now.” She said and I held onto her hand for a whi
AUDREY'S POV “Where is everyone?” I asked in panic as Lucas placed me down gently and took out his phone. Before he could turn on the flashlight, the lights suddenly came on and I turned around to see Claire and Aiden standing behind me. “Surprise!” They both yelled, and I let out a sigh of relief as I immediately moved to hug them tightly. The bodyguard was behind them as he smiled at us and I couldn't help but feel relieved. I thought something had happened to them. My heart, which was pounding harshly, slowly returned to normal as Claire grinned at me while Lucas crossed his arms in anger. “Claire, what was that?” He asked as I pulled away and her smile faded as she turned to look at him. “What was what? We just wanted to surprise her.” She replied and he immediately facepalmed as he pulled me closer before placing his head on my chest. “Her heart is beating irregularly, what will you do if she passes out again?” He asked and she looked at both of us in confusion as she crosse
AUDREY'S POV My phone wouldn't stop buzzing and I had to place it on silent so it wouldn't disturb the dinner we were having. There was this sinking feeling in my stomach and I just couldn't place my hand on it. I knew things weren't going to be easy for us ever since Lucas found out the truth about our relationship but I couldn't help but feel like it might take a very harsh turn soon. Isabella was vicious and I knew that she would stop at nothing to bring me and Lucas down. “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom,” I said with a smile as I stood and took my phone while Lucas looked at me in worry. “Would you like me to come with you?” He asked as he moved to stand up but I placed my hand on his shoulder before pushing him back to his seat. “It’s just the restroom, I'll be back in no time. No need to worry so much.” I replied with a reassuring smile as I walked out of the room and headed for the bathroom. I tried to calm my heart down as I unlocked my phone and a frown formed on
LUCAS' POVI could feel it within me, I knew that something was bothering her. When she came out of the restroom, I noticed how puffy her eyes were and it looked like she had been crying.It made me worried to know that she was hurt about something but she couldn't tell me about it. She tried her best to put up that brave front and act like everything was fine.But I knew her. And I knew that she was worried and scared about something.I couldn't fall asleep because she was awake. She kept tossing and turning, and she couldn't take it anymore; she left the room.I got up and quietly followed her with confusion written all over my face. What was the problem? What was she hiding from me? She took a seat outside and my heart broke when she started to cry.I let out a sigh as I walked over to her side slowly before gazing up at the moon that shone over her perfectly.“The moon is beautiful, isn't it?” I mumbled, and she turned around to look at me in shock, with tears running down her pre
AUDREY'S POVI woke up to see Aiden and Claire giggling about something on her phone. I rubbed my eyes as I looked around but there was no sign of Lucas anywhere.“Lucas has left for work?” I asked and Claire glanced at me before nodding as Aiden ran over to my side before climbing into my bed.“Yeah, he left a while ago. Why? You miss him?” She asked as she wiggled her brows at me and I blushed slightly before nodding in response.“I guess I can say I do? He's my fiance after all.” I replied softly and she let out a scoff of amusement as she sat on the bed before burying her face in her hands.“I'm so single with no one to miss. Who will love me?” She cried out dramatically, and I facepalmed at her exaggerated performance as Aiden burst into laughter.“How about… Berry? I mean, I've seen the way he looks at you, and I see the way you look at him too. He's more than just a bodyguard, isn't he?” I asked with a teasing tone, hoping to get her hopes high but when her cheeks flushed from
AUDREY'S POV “Look who we have here.” He said and my eyes widened when I realized that it was him. Jason. My abusive ex-boyfriend. “Jason, what do you want? I thought we broke up a long time ago. You said you never wanted to see me again because I was disgusting. What is this about?” I asked in anger even though I was trembling inside and terrified. I was scared of him. I was scared of what he was going to do to me or Claire. “Well, I missed you and wanted to see you again. I knew that if I asked you out nicely, you'd say no, so this was the only way that I could think of. And hey, it worked, didn't it?” He replied with a sarcastic tone, and I glanced behind him to see Claire tied up to a chair, unconscious. “Fine, you have me here so let her go. She has nothing to do with this.” I said and he stared at me for a while before bursting into laughter. “Wow, you have changed. You can now talk back? Is it because of that idiot, Lucas? He's giving you wings now, right?” He ask
LUCAS' POV I was hoping to get flagged down by the police for speeding so that I could get them off my back, but there was none. Even when I sped through the red light, no one was stopping me. And the car wouldn't stop following me. There was a huge traffic in front of me, and I didn't know what those people wanted from me, so I took a right turn and drove into a narrow alley, the car following me like I was a magnet. I sped down the road as I maneuvered through the obstacles, but whoever was after me couldn't make it through those obstacles, and I couldn't help but laugh. I finally made it out of the alley and continued to drive to the office, proud that I had sent those pursuers off my back. Something suddenly collided with the back of my car and my eyes widened when I saw that the car was right behind me. “Y'all don't give up, huh?” I mumbled as I switched gears, but the car crashed into mine again, causing me to lose control of the wheel, but I immediately gained contro
AUDREY'S POVMy eyes slowly fluttered open as I placed my hand over my chest to stop it from hurting. My heart wouldn't stop pounding harshly and I couldn't move any part of my body.I glanced around, but Jason and his men were nowhere to be found. I remembered someone calling out my name, and then I was lifted off the ground before I blacked out. There was no one else here except…Claire!I struggled to get out of the couch and stumbled over to her side. She was still tied up to the chair, and my hands fumbled with the ropes, but I still managed to get them off as she collapsed into my arms.Luckily, she wasn't injured or hurt, just the bruises from the ropes on her wrist. I searched my pockets for my phone and I realized that I also had her phone with me.I shakily reached for her phone and unlocked it as I searched for Berry's phone number. I didn't want to bother with this… he wouldn't want to leave my side anymore and I didn't want that. The phone rang once and Berry picked up im
Meanwhile, doors swing outward into a corridor of burning neon lights that seethe with maddened intensity.Lucas's bodyguard had captured a group of men attempting to break into the boardroom. They had masks over their faces, but there was one man with a red tie in his hand—a detail which I'd seen in Michael's reports the last two years.I felt sick. "Lucas, is that you?" I stuttered into the receiver, speaking the words out loud.I received only mumbling answers over the phone. My tears began recalling Lucas's vow to stay with me, and I vowed to myself only that I would fulfill the vow to the very core of my soul. Soft knocking on the door of the safe room persisted. My throat had been grabbed and I pushed my ear into the door, pushed the door. "Who is that?" I shrieked, trembling.Low murmuring, soft breathing, "Audrey, I'm here. Open it."I was shocked and didn't want to open it for her. The voice was soothing, yet it wasn't anyone special—I didn't know who it was. My phone beeped
Audrey's POVI sat on the railing of our penthouse balcony as the city awakened askew under the wan, uncertain dawn. The sharp morning air did little to placate the storm raging within. Lucas had been so firm last night, so firm that he would shield us. Even now, I could not shake the disquieting fear that Michael's promises were far from over with us. I gripped my phone hard, reliving that anonymous text:"The truth is still hidden. Prepare for what comes next."It resonated within my mind like a curse. I could not help but wonder if it signaled another turn, another betrayal lurking just around the bend.Inside, Lucas walked into the room. His footsteps were measured, every sound sharp in the quiet stillness."They inform us that someone was seen outside the hotel last night—someone with a black hoodie. And now we receive new warnings from the estate."I shivered down my spine. "Do you think Michael's men have come back?"Lucas shifted his head slowly. "I don't know, but we must pre
Audrey's POVI sat quietly in our penthouse as the aftershocks of the boardroom battle slowly faded from my mind. The adrenaline high was gone, but my heart thudded angrily against the walls of my chest. The phrases Lucas uttered during the meeting still lingered in my mind, every sentence a mix of pain and protest. I could not shake the threat of Michael as well as the uncertain future that lay in wait for me.I gazed out the window at city lights burning below like false promises. The silence was heavy with my own hope and fear. I didn't know if our love, hard-won, could even shield us from the forces of darkness on the horizon.Lucas entered the room quietly. He sat with me on the old creaky sofa, his hand extended for mine. I felt his heat, comfortable and strong, and all was right in the world for that moment. But that moment was like glass.Audrey, he started, his voice barely above a whisper, "I couldn't help but wonder what Michael had said. I think he's got other ideas for us
Audrey's POVThe sun was up in the sky, but its light was miles away from me. My heartpounding as I remained there in the quiet of our bedroom, still warm from last night on my body. Lucas slept beside me, his even breathing a reminder of how much I longed for peace. But as I looked at him, doubt consumed me. I stood up quietly, not to disturb him, and moved towards the window. The ocean sparkled below me, endless and merciless. I looked around warily—someone was there. Within seconds, my world was turned right-side up. Lucas stood before me to take another step, his eyes taut with urgency. "Audrey, we must leave—now!" he commanded, his voice firm and gentle simultaneously.Guards let out low commands of warning as security cameras tracked our every step. I could sense a tempest building—a tempest that would tear all we'd built apart.In the car outside, Lucas's grip on my hand was tight, knuckles white. "Something has happened," he breathed rapidly. "The board… they're having an eme
Audrey's POVThe soft roll of the ocean was ringing in my head as I sat with Lucas on scorched sand. Blazing kisses and blazing vows had set the night ablaze, but now there was some unhappiness within me that churned a storm within, thudding my heart with an arrhythmic beat.Lucas had his arm across my shoulders and looked up at the moon that hovered above a sea that withdrew from it."Sometimes I think we can really leave it all behind," I told myself more than anything else. A tug in the heart—a mixture of hope and fear—warned me the peace was only temporary.I barely got the next word out before my cell phone rang in my hand. I answered it in hope. On the screen, a new message from an unknown number:"You can hide in love, but secrets always come to the surface."My gut roiled over, and I looked up as Lucas's eyes began filling with fear. "What did it say?" he snarled, his voice harsh but uncertain.I wrapped my hand around the paper into a fist, breathing nearly silently. "It says
Audrey’s POVSea salt surrounded me as I walked along the beach of the private island, my feet sunk in the warm golden sand. Blue waves caressed softly, like the kiss of a lover. Everything was so calm, so like a dream—a false guarantee of the next storm. Lucas? Not even close to being calm. He was a couple of feet off, looking at me with that infuriatingly smug grin, his top half-shirt open, the golden sheen of the setting sun on his chiseled chest. He had something concealed behind his back."What are you hiding?”"So impatient. Aren't surprises supposed to be fun?I folded my arms. "Not if you're the one who does the surprising." Lucas flashed a smile and moved in on me, gradual and deliberate, the type of pace that got my heart skipping a beat faster. "You hurt me, Audrey. Suppose I told you it was a gift? Something that I specifically picked out just for you?"My gaze flew down to his hands, but he quickly moved to fold them behind his back again. "Lucas," I cautioned."Oh, you c
Audrey's POVLucas didn't move. Because he knew. I stepped forward carefully. "Yes, I do." I took another step forward. "What do you want, Isabella?" She laughed. I breathed in. She was furious, out-of-rhythm. One misstep, and this would end in blood.Lucas stepped forward with me. "Isabella, listen— She shoved the gun into Lucas. Her face twisted in rage. "Say it." He looked at her. "I never loved you." A scream was torn from her body. "You liar." And she turned on me. I had no chance to defend myself before she fired. Bang. Lucas caught me before I hit the ground. "Audrey!" His voice frantic, his hands on my wound.Isabella smiled. "See? Now we're even." And then, before anyone could stand up and take her— She put the gun to her head. Lucas strained. "No—" Bang. Her body crumpled to the ground. Silence. The world ended. I felt the thudding of my own heartbeat, racing. Lucas was trembling, with me in his arms. Then there were voices. Guards rushing in. Somebody called for an ambula
Audrey's POVIt was to be a calm night.But calm was something we still needed to learn.Lucas had me wrapped around him, hugging me, as we lay on the bed, his arm wrapped around my waist to stop me from squirming. His body heat was not intended to soothe me, but the grip in my chest would not ease up. Something was amiss.I was in bed, staring up at the ceiling with my mind elsewhere. I couldn't sleep with her face in front of me, her own face contorted in anger. We might have been physically out of the room or not, but we weren't finished with her section yet.And desperate people, if there was one thing that I had learned so far, weren't to be underestimated. Lucas rolled onto his side next to me, his gentle kiss following the line of my shoulder."I cannot sleep. My mind will not rest."His eyes grew softer. "Tell me." I hesitated. "What if she comes back? What if she has something much worse planned?"Lucas drew in a breath, pushing back my hair with his fingers. "She won't hurt
Audrey's POV I trembled in fear as Lucas's words hit me. "Isabella." I knew she would never let us be. That woman was never bad, but now? Now, she had crossed a line that I wasn't sure she could ever turn back from. I grasped the sheets, struggling for breath. "She was scheming with him? The hoodie guy?" Lucas brushed his hand through his hair, his teeth clenched. "Security cameras filmed her entering the hotel with me. They were careful, but not careful enough." Anger and fear fought for dominance within me. Isabella had already done as much as she was capable of ruining me—to accuse me, shame me, try to destroy me. Now she's involved with my son. That was unacceptable. Lucas's eyes grew darker as if he could see directly into my mind. Not you, not Aiden.” His fists tensed in my arms. "You won't have to.". Lucas Kent was done playing games. I shut the TV down quietly. Aiden had padded into the doorway, in pajamas, and scrubbed at his eyes. "Mommy?" I scooped him up and hel