LOGINBob stood to the side, watching the couple with widened eyes. They had completely ignored his existence and were in their own little world.Now that he realized Lucas had fallen hopelessly in love with Kate, Bob was ecstatic.“Doesn't that mean he could gamble at the casino now that things are settled between them?” Bob mused in his head.Kate shook her head. “Not anymore.”Lucas's face fell at her words. “You…”“I was scared when you told your men to chop off Wilson's fingers,” she admitted softly, cutting him off before he could speak further. “You were terrifying, Lucas. I got chills just looking at your back that day.”Lucas's gaze lowered slightly.“But later,” Kate continued quietly, “I realized you were avenging Wilson for all the terrible things he has done. And suddenly…I couldn’t bring myself to pity him anymore. I didn’t let my fear decide how I see you.”Something in Lucas shifted, and his hand moved to her waist gently, reverently. “Thank you,” he murmured hoarsely before
As if Kate knew that Lucas was at the door, she turned her head and looked in his direction. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw him standing there, his gaze locked on her with emotions swirling in his eyes.“Lucas," she whispered softly. Moisture gathered in her eyes as she recalled his painful past that Victor had shared with her. She pushed her own sadness down her throat and focused on the man before her.Kate slid off the bed and, barefoot, hurried towards Lucas. When she neared him, she moved closer and wrapped her hands around his waist.Lucas stilled for a moment, caught off guard by her hug. He hadn't expected such a gesture from her, and the moment she touched him, all the nervousness and tension in his body eased slowly as he allowed himself to breathe in her scent.Lucas inhaled deeply, her scent filling his lungs and grounding him in a way nothing else could. He pulled her against him and lifted her while Kate’s legs locked around his waist and her hands went around his
A slow breath escaped Lucas through his nose as he stared at Victor’s face. “I don't know, man. I'm scared of going to her, not after the issue we had before Wilson took her away. I almost hurt her with my own hands, Victor. She also witnessed me lose control the other day.”Lucas let out a dry laugh as he continued, “Kate must be thinking the worst of me now. What if she despises me and wants nothing to do with me anymore?” he whispered, his expression tightening as if the thought alone was enough to break him.Victor looked at Lucas for the tenth time that day as if he was seeing someone else. Never had he seen Lucas so afraid of facing someone. “You must really love her."Lucas's features softened. “I didn't think I could fall for her, but I did. She drives me crazy, Victor," he admitted, his eyes straying to Kate's door once again.“Come over here,” Victor said, dragging Lucas to the nearest chair in the hallway, and they sat together. Victor looked Lucas in the eye as he spoke. “
Kate was well aware that Matteo was right. Lucas could have punished them differently if he had wanted to.But how could he? It felt like he had been possessed by something. That man she had witnessed that day wanted nothing but bloodshed.He had been ready to kill whoever came his way. Kate thought, then shivered slightly at the memory. No matter how bad Elizabeth had been, Kate knew she didn't deserve that kind of lifetime punishment from Lucas.‘What should she do?’ she wondered, staring at Matteo, who was waiting to hear her speak. But she didn't know what to say to him.Seeing the struggle in Kate's eyes, Matteo let out a sigh. ‘He might have overreacted; it wasn't Kate's fault anyway,’ Matteo thought, as he stared at the floor for a moment before speaking. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to unload all that on you like that. I just couldn't help myself."“It's fine," Kate said with a wave of her hand.Matteo continued, “I’ve decided to take responsibility for Elizabeth. I'm going to wa
Kate giggled at something her uncle had said to her, then bit into the sandwich she was holding and chewed slowly.A nurse had brought it to her a while ago, telling her that someone had ordered it. Kate had smiled at her, knowing it was Victor who had arranged it. She had collected the brown paper bag from the nurse and thanked her while the nurse nodded and stepped out of the room.Bob scowled at Kate when he saw that she was enjoying herself too much. Then he stood up from the bed, smoothing his outfit. “I think it's time for me to leave. I should let you enjoy your sandwich in peace."The smile slid off Kate's face, and she reached out her hands to stop him from leaving. "Come on, Uncle. Don't go yet; I’m enjoying your company.""Yeah, right. You're enjoying yourself at my expense,” Bob said, feigning anger, but his eyes held affection as he looked at Kate. He’d been telling Kate about the mishap that had happened to him when he went to gamble a week ago at the casino and how he’d
In Elizabeth’s room, Matteo's head rested on the edge of her bed, and his eyes were closed as he slept.Elizabeth's fingers twitched by her side, then her eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the light. ‘I’m alive?’ she thought, letting her eyes dart around the room as she realized she was in the hospital.But who had brought her here?She turned her head to her left and saw a man's head lying beside her. ‘Who is that? One of her father's men?’ She shook her head when it occurred to her that Lucas had probably eliminated all of her father's men and allies.Elizabeth moved her hand and dropped it gently on the man's head. Matteo jerked away instantly, and as his eyes fell on Elizabeth, who was staring back at him, he sat up straighter. “You're awake," he said, his voice filled with relief.After the operation, Elizabeth was transferred from the emergency unit to a ward, and Matteo had been the one looking after her since then. He had also paid her medical bills and listed himself as her gu
Kate opened her mouth to answer, but no words came out. She looked at Lucas's cold face and sighed inwardly. ‘Why does it feel so hard to tell him where I was?’ she wondered.A voice whispered in her head. ‘Because he looks so terrifying right now.’Kate shivered and nodded slightly as if agreeing.
As Kate entered the living room, she plopped onto the couch and threw herself back, leaning into the sofa cushion and closing her eyes. She zoned out for a bit, lost in thought, trying to shake off the annoyance Matteo had ignited in her.After a while, Kate straightened up and blew out a frustrate
Matteo watched as different expressions crossed Elizabeth’s face. She was lost in thought, her brows furrowed as she contemplated what to do. Then, he noticed her biting her lower lip a moment later, her eyes filled with hesitation and fear.Matteo was now more than curious to hear what secret abou
Kate struggled in Matteo's arms for a while, and when she saw that he still wouldn't let her go, she lowered her head and bit down hard on his arm, almost drawing blood. He immediately released her, his face scrunched up in pain as he glared at her.She quickly distanced herself from him and looked







