Novels by Lucky

The storm outside had been busy all night, lightning shouting hard against the windows like the sky was restless. I too, on the other hand, was restless.Justin had contacted us again earlier, leaving a string of poisonous voicemails that Aaron eventually muted by turning my phone off completely. Dinner with Mr. and Mrs. D’Cruz had been noiseless and firm — Mrs. Margaret barely spoke to me, and Mr. D’Cruz didn’t utter a word.When I came back to my apartment, I couldn’t stop pacing about. Every nerve in my body felt fresh, connected too hard.Aaron knocked gently at the door before coming in without waiting for me to give him consent.You’re trembling,” he voiced softly, his eyes in search of my face.“I can’t continue this way,” I admitted, my voice breaking. “Waiting for him to hit again. Waiting for the next gossip, the next headline, the next threat—”Aaron crossed the room and walked towards me, taking my hands, grounding me. “Then stop waiting,” he said gently.I looked up at hi

By the close of the week, the house felt like a war zone.Reporters were still housed at the gates, the board was calling steady impromptu meetings, and the whispers inside the family had passed a fewer tone. I could sense the judgment every time I walked past a servant in the hall, every time Mrs. Margaret’s gaze darted toward me like I was a mud she couldn’t wash out.But this very night, for once, the house seems peaceful.I sat in the low lit library, huddled up on the sofa, staring stiffly at a book I wasn’t reading. The fire crackled gently, radiating warm light over the room.When Aaron walked in, I didn’t raise my head to look at him instantly, but I felt his presence.“You skipped dinner,” he said calmly.“I have no appetite,” I said.He closed in. “You shouldn't be slipping meals, Aria.”I fling the book away, finally giving him my attention. “I can’t keep pretending either.”Something danced across his face — pain, maybe. You don’t have to pretend.”“Your parents are.” My

The boardroom was more icy than usual, though maybe it was just me.I sat at the far end of the shiny table, feeling very much like a trespasser in a space full of men and women who had been managing the company for a long period of time. Their voices were stubby, weighed, but the tightness was undeniable.At the head of the table sat Mr. D’Cruz, his countenance sculpted from granite stone. Beside him was Aaron, unbent and reserved, as though he had been expecting a day like this. “Given Justin’s condition,” one of the Chief executors was saying, “we need a provisional leader to oversee the operations of the company. The shareholders are becoming concerned. If we don’t take action now, we risk a drop in trust — and stock prices.”“Justin will be back in no time,” Mr. D’Cruz said, though his tone lacked assurance.“With respect, sir,” another executor replied, “ we all want him to recover and get back but his recovery might take weeks or months, and let’s not forget about the police i

It was almost close to midnight when Cathy came knocking on my apartment door."Ma'am," she muttered urgently, peeping over her shoulder, "there's someone here to see you. She says it's urgent."I scowled. "At this time?""Yes ma'am. It's... It's Summer."My blood raced.For a moment, I stood there, without uttering any words. Justin's secretary, the woman whom I had caught him with in our kitchen that night, wasn't on the list of people I wanted to see right now. But something in Cathy's massive-eyed look made me nod."Let her in."Summer walked inside minutes later, dressed down in dark jeans and a dark hoodie, her hair hidden under the hoodie. She seemed nothing like the shiny, perfectly made-up lady I remembered. Her eyes danced around the room before resting on me. "You have no business being here," I said cautiously, folding my arms."I know," she uttered, her voice tender and acute. "But I came to warn you."Aaron showed up from the corridor, still in his shirtsleeves, his cou

The next morning, the house was quiet in a way that felt menacing. No tinkling of dishes, no distant murmur of servant's gab. Just quietness, as if everyone was held back from talking.I sat alone in the breakfast room. Coffee chilling unconsumed before me. Sleep had been out of the question- every corner of the house, every car pulling into the entrance had thrown my heart into fear.When Aaron strolled in, he didn't worry about exchanging greetings. He grabbed the chair opposite me, his tie already slackened as if he'd been up for hours."Father demands a meeting," he said levelly.My stomach dropped. "Again?""He wants to chew over how we 'treat the narrative.'" His mouth warped around the phrase. "Which means he needs you to act the voiceless, devoted wife while they twirl whatever story makes Justin look least blameworthy."I backed away, glaring at the garden through the large windows. "I don't know how much more I can take, Aaron. Every room I enter, I'm the center of attention

The hospital had a smell of antiseptic and terror.I stood still in the corridor, surveying Justin's unconscious body. The metrical beep of the vital signs monitor was the only cue that he was still alive. His face was pale, his lips parched, and for the very first time since I'd met him, he seemed little. Mortal.Aaron stood next to me, his arms folded, jaw set. His company was the only thing warding me from melting under the burden of it all.The officer who had first taken our statements closed in. "Mrs. D'Cruz," he said hesitantly, skimming through his notebook. "We'll need to verify more information concerning what occurred at the house. Mr. D'Cruz's health is secured, but given the situation, we must tend to this as a likely private feud that intensified."My stomach squeezed. "It was only self-defense," I said swiftly.Aaron's hand touched my arm, calming me. "We told everything to you everything already," he said to the officer, his voice composed but firm.The officer inclin