The lake shimmered with gold under the fading light. Lucien led Cynthia to the broken railing, where a newly installed iron fence gleamed coldly in the sunset."This is where it happened yesterday?" He shook the railing hard. The metal groaned in protest.Cynthia gazed down at the steep cliff, more than three meters high. The sound of the waves crashing against the rocks suddenly felt jarring. If it had been Harley who fell..."Don't be afraid." Lucien gently squeezed her cold fingers, his eyes scanning the deserted lakeshore. A couple was walking away along the wooden boardwalk; their laughter quickly vanished into the wind.Suddenly, he pulled her behind a boulder, his burning lips pressing against the side of her neck. "It's just the two of us now…""You—" Her protest was swallowed by his deep, possessive kiss. A flock of birds flew overhead, their wings beating in rhythm with the lapping waves, as if nature itself conspired in their intimacy.In the midst of their breathless entan
The moment Lucien's hand touched her waist, Cynthia shoved him away."I can be cruel to myself," he said, his voice hoarse and low, each word hitting her like a hammer to the heart. "Because I know you can't bear to see me hurt."Cynthia's eyes stung. Her fist landed on his chest. "I should've waited until you broke your neck before forgiving you! Then I'd take Harley and remarry!""You dare!" He pulled her into a crushing embrace, holding her so tightly it hurt. "Even if I died, I'd haunt that man and drag him to hell with me."The hallway lights cast shadows across his brow, and in the stark lighting, the remorse in his eyes was glaringly clear. "I messed up. I won't let it happen again… My arm really is injured. It hurt so bad yesterday, I couldn't even move it..."His hushed confession was interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Martin burst into the hospital room, trench coat still wet with rain, glasses askew. "Gina!"Gina lay pale as paper in the hospital bed, blood seeping thro
"You called us over just to watch you flirt with a C-list celebrity?" Cynthia shoved Gina forward, her sharp eyes cutting straight through Martin.Martin's gaze shifted to Gina, only for her to flash a carefree grin. "You're not exactly young anymore. What's wrong with dating someone? Nancy's not bad-looking either. If you like her, go for it."She even gestured exaggeratedly. "Big boobs, tiny waist, perky butt. Bet she feels great—""Gina!"Cynthia yanked her sleeve sharply."What?"Gina blinked innocently. "I mean it. His parents are constantly nagging him about getting married—I'm going insane. If he actually ends up with Nancy, I'll light incense for that woman every day!"Just then, the lounge door creaked open. Martin's manager stood awkwardly at the threshold. "Uh, the interview's about to begin..."In the hallway, Pearl whispered, "You meant all that just now?""Of course!"Gina pressed her palms toget
Harley was too excited to sleep, clinging to Lucien and begging for a bedtime story. Cynthia raised an intrigued eyebrow—she had never heard this man tell a story before.Lucien cleared his throat, facing his wife and son as if preparing to perform on stage. "Once upon a time…""…an ant married an elephant…"Five minutes in, just as he was getting to the "and then," he realized both of them had already drifted off.Bathed in moonlight, Lucien gently brushed his fingertips across Harley's soft cheek. His gaze lingered on Cynthia's peaceful sleeping face, and a ripple of tenderness stirred in his eyes.When morning light slipped through the curtains, Cynthia awoke nestled in Lucien's arms. As soon as she opened her eyes, she found herself staring into his smiling gaze. She instinctively reached out and traced the line of his strong jaw. "Where's Harley?""Already out playing."He caught her wandering hand, heart s
The air in the room was heavy and cold.Cynthia handed Lucien a pill and a glass of water, but he simply bit down on the pill, chewing it dry. The bitterness made him frown, but he stubbornly refused to touch the water."Take it and go," he said coldly. "I need to rest."She set the glass down and turned to leave—only to be stopped in her tracks by his sudden outburst."Is it only if I'm crippled or dead that you'll finally look at me?"Her hand was already on the doorknob when his arm slammed against the door. With a loud bang, she was yanked back and pinned to it. His breath, hot and ragged, brushed against her neck."Can't you hear me when I talk to you?""Didn't you tell me to leave?" she replied calmly."Now you listen," he sneered, his face inches from hers. "What if I told you to stay?"Silence stretched between them."What if I told you to kiss me?"His lips hovered dangerously close, his brea
Cynthia reached out to help again, but Lucien struggled to stand on his own. She finally snapped."Move one more time and I swear I'll break your other arm myself!"Lucien stopped resisting, but turned his head away, refusing to look at her."Does it hurt?" she asked softly, brushing his swollen arm. He let out a muffled groan that made her heart tighten."Simon! Get the car! We're going to the hospital—now!"Harley knelt beside his father, tears streaming down his cheeks."Daddy... is your arm broken?""Not as bad as someone's broken ribs," Lucien replied, using his good arm to ruffle Harley's hair.Suddenly, Harley turned and charged toward the staircase, kicking and hitting Marius."Bad guy! You hit my daddy!""Harley!" Vicky rushed to restrain the furious child. "Marius didn't mean to..."Marius stood frozen at the top of the stairs, watching Cynthia carefully support Lucien as they left. No one s
In the BedroomCynthia knelt down and carefully helped Harley into a fresh change of clothes. She gently pressed a bandage onto the scrape on his little hand."Tell Mommy," she said softly, though her voice was tight with tension, "how did Vicky fall into the lake?"Harley lowered his head, twisting his fingers nervously."It was my fault... I wanted to climb the railing to see the lake. Vicky lifted me up... then the wood suddenly broke..." His voice trailed off, barely audible. "She fell in..."Cynthia took a deep breath and gently cupped his face."Do you know how dangerous that was? What if something had happened to Vicky? How could I ever explain that to her parents?" Her fingertips trembled. "You're Mommy's precious boy. But Vicky is her parents' precious girl too.""I'm sorry, Mommy..." Harley's eyes welled up with tears, and fat droplets rolled down his cheeks.In the CarLucien leaned against the window of the black sedan, his knuckles pressed to his brow. He had rushed home
Cynthia took a day off to get a paternity test. While she was gone, her luxury car had already been repaired and returned home. But according to Vicky, she and Lucien had been too caught up in their arguments lately—he had probably forgotten to tell her.It was a beautiful day, bright and sunny, the kind perfect for a leisurely outing.But ever since her return, Cynthia had been trapped in an endless cycle with Lucien—fighting, reconciling, and fighting again. It was like a toxic loop with no escape. Erica had been right: ever since meeting Lucien, she hadn't truly been happy. Like now—she didn't even feel like saying a single word to him.Seeing how down she was, Vicky suggested they go for a walk by Yiren Lake. Cynthia didn't object and drove them there, bringing Harley along."Mommy, I want to go over there!" Harley cried, bouncing toward the water's edge."Harley, wait for me!" Vicky called, chasing after him.A breeze tousled Cynthia's short hair as she gazed out over the shimmer
Lucien grabbed her wrist, his grip so tight it nearly crushed the bone. "I told you—I don't need any damn test! Harley is my son!"Cynthia tilted her head up, her amber eyes almost translucent in the sunlight. "Just because I say so? Aren't you afraid I'm lying to you?""Of course I'm fucking sure!" He yanked her closer, his breath scorching her face. "Even if you told me Harley was someone else's kid, I'd still raise him as my own—because he came from your body!"His words landed like a punch to the chest. Cynthia's lashes trembled violently. She hadn't expected his obsession to run so deep."What? Calling me disgusting in your head again?" Lucien gave a hoarse laugh, his voice like sandpaper. "You said Harley would rather have a stranger as his dad than me. That almost made me kill someone. You'd rather claim he's a bastard than admit he's mine…" His fingertip brushed over her pale lips. "Am I really that repulsive to you?"It felt like an invisible hand clenched around her heart. C