LOGINLucian’s POVIt irritated me to see Julia in such pain. Despite driving her insane or hurting her emotionally, I couldn't just walk away from this situation. When I felt closer to her, I recognized her as the little girl I once knew, with her beautiful eyes. She had no idea what it would do to me. I thought I'd changed; I wouldn't dare to love because I considered it a weakness, but seeing her made me reconsider. Something has felt complete in my life since she entered it for the second time—albeit by force—which is why I will never let her go.Now Riley, i wondered what she wanted to talk to me about by this time of the night when she ought to have gone home.The hallway was quiet, too fucking quiet. As i stalked toward the study where riley waited. My fingers flexed at my sides, still burning from the ghost of julia’s skin under my hands. Still seeing the bruises those bastards left on her. Still tasting the unspoken something between us when i’d been seconds away from—No.I force
The door opened behind him. Andrew stepped in, his expression grim, flanked by two of Lucian’s men dragging the bastards between them—bloodied, barely conscious, their faces swollen from whatever punishment they’d already endured. They crumpled to the floor at Lucian’s feet.One of them groaned, lifting his head—and his eyes locked on me.Recognition.Fear.Lucian didn’t move; he just watched me, waiting for what i would do to them.My hands trembled, then i stepped forward. I stood, the nervousness replaced with a smirk, partly satisfied with the situation they are in.I whispered, “i told you I am not to be messed with, but you thought i was lying.”He trembled, his lips quivering, wanting to beg, to say something, or even to insult me. Since i could see the fire in his eyes.Before he thought of begging me, i slapped him twice across his face and whispered “how dare you touch me?”His head snapped to the side with the force of my hits, his cheeks reddened with the handprints i lef
HUNDRED NINEI sat up straight, observing as they attended to my room. I felt a little better, but I was also scared because I didn't understand why people always pursued girls like me.I noticed that the ladies were glancing at me and then exchanging glances among themselves. Their eyes were full of curiosity, as if they were about to say something.Finally, one of them spoke with a strong Spanish accent, "Ma'am, we really want to thank you. I apologize if this offends you."I raised my brows, flushed from the gratitude but also perplexed. This was my first meeting with them, and they're thanking me for nothing I knew about.I inquired, "Why are you thanking me?”"Oh, sorry, I'm Marie. I said that because of you, those men, who were taken away." Marie responded as she cleaned my wounds, and the two women beside her smiled.I shake my head, wondering if it was the men who had attacked me earlier."Which men?" I inquired to confirm my thoughts."I am referring to the men who did this t
JuliaIt was too late; I was already crumbling. I tried to push him away from me, acting as if his contact had no effect on me. I bit my lips to conceal the moan. Lucian knew what he was doing, and I am not sure if he was toying with my emotions."Lucian, stop this." I uttered in whispers. I wonder what Riley would think if she found us in this situation, but Lucian wouldn’t stop, continuing his agony, his lips now trailing down the nape of my neck.He said, "You can barely resist my touch, Jules."I shivered as he mentioned my nickname. It felt soft in his mouth, and I used to oppose it after he bought me, but now I'm not sure what I am thinking.His hand grasped my shoulders softly and firmly, but not so hard that they ached. His right hand held the tray down my shoulders, and the hair on my skin stood up."If this is also a joke for you," I faltered, "then stop it. You can play with something else, but not my body."He paused, and the look in his eyes shifted. Then he stepped back
My heart raced as I entered. I could not express how nervous I was feeling. Was it because Lucian spotted me glancing at them and I was feeling a little emotional?It was embarrassing because I was the one who was made to know how to mask feelings; I was the type who would never want to be with or even near Lucian, and I was also the type who would go to any length to achieve what I wanted. And what I wanted first was independence, to leave and then return to the man I used to call father.The man who sold me for money, and what would my first reaction be? But now my intellect tells me to do something worthwhile, while my heart betrays me."Fucking stop being nervous, Julia," I reprimanded myself. Then I walked into the room. It was dark at first, but I could smell the pleasant perfume of strawberries, which contrasted with the macho scent.My pulse raced faster; could Lucian be with that woman?It isn't my business, so why should I care?"Lucian?" I yelled out, my voice low, as I sca
I picked up the fork, my stomach still tight from the aftermath of yesterday’s drinks, the taste of the meal somehow grounding me even though I felt awkward and restless at the same time. The moment I started eating, I realized the man hadn’t left yet, standing just behind the tray as if he had nothing else to do. It made my skin crawl in ways I couldn’t explain, and I found myself pausing mid-bite, looking up at him. “Hmm, is there something else you need? Why are you staring at me like that? It’s weird,” I asked, my voice wavering between annoyance and curiosity, feeling that mix of fear and fascination that had been following me since I first laid eyes on him.He inclined his head slightly, bowing with such careful precision that I blinked, trying to understand why someone could move with such smoothness and control. “I’m sorry, miss, didn’t mean to scare you. Boss ordered that I should wait until you’re done eating. I don’t mean to scare you,” he said, his voice low, deep, and smo
Julia's POV When I opened my eyes, the first thing that hit me wasn’t the sunlight filtering through the curtains — it was warmth. The kind of warmth that clung to my skin like I had been lying close to fire all night. My body felt heavy, weak, but also… strangely comforted.For a long moment, I d
Lucian's POV The storm had passed, but the night carried its ghost.Thunder still rolled somewhere beyond the hills, a low, distant growl fading into the quiet hum of rain against the glass. The mansion had gone still, like it was holding its breath — servants tucked away, corridors silent, lights
I could still feel the weight of his stare long after he turned away.Lucian sat in silence, his hand resting against his jaw as if he was deep in thought. The room smelled faintly of rain and smoke, and every breath I took burned my chest.My throat was raw, my body shivering beneath the blanket.
It felt strange—how quiet everything became. The sound of the rain vanished. The cold that had been clawing at my skin seconds ago faded into something soft, almost warm. My body was weightless, drifting in a silence that felt… too gentle. “Am I dead already?” I whispered into the void, though I







