Chapter 03

"Why is this happening to me? I don’t know what to think anymore…"

My head throbbed from all the questions swirling through it. I’d barely slept last night—my mind racing with thoughts of Uncle Noah and Lucas. Emotions warred inside me: betrayal that Lucas had lied to me, anger that he’d married me while already having a family with Amanda… a son he’d never told me about. All so he could claim his father’s shares in the company.

He never loved me. I’d dreamed of a happy marriage, but it seems I was the only one who believed in it. Should I do what Uncle Noah suggested? Should I get revenge for how he’s lied to me and used me like a pawn? Can I even leave him?

"And if I do leave Lucas… do I really have to marry Uncle Noah to get even? What will his family think of me then?"

The Graysons had always been kind to me. Even though I was just a simple girl who’d married their son, they’d never treated me poorly. If I divorced Lucas and married his uncle, I was afraid they’d see me differently—like I’d planned this all along.

I pressed my palms against my temples, feeling like my head might split open from the weight of it all. Then the sound of the door opening made me look up—and there stood Lucas.

As he’d said, he hadn’t come home last night. The thought that he’d spent the whole night with another woman, in her bed, made my chest ache.

"Why are you home now—"

"—Don’t start, Lucia. I don’t want to hear your questions. I just came back to change clothes—I have to head back to the office ri—"

"—Head back? Didn’t you already stay there last night? Besides, Lucas, it’s been four months si—"

I never got to finish. Lucas snatched a throw pillow from the sofa and hurled it at me, his face twisted with irritation.

"Stop nagging me! You have no fucking right to hound me every single time!" he snapped.

"N-No right? Lucas, I’m your wife—you married me two weeks ago!"

"Ugh! Then you should be grateful you got to marry a Grayson. I was nice to you once, and you fell all over yourself. I only married you because I had no choice—Dad wouldn’t hand over his shares otherwise. And you know what’s the worst part? I can’t even leave you yet, because I still need Uncle Noah’s stake! Fucking sucks, doesn’t it?"

Each word was like a knife to my heart. Hearing it from his own lips made the truth impossible to deny.

"Y-You used me? So none of what you showed me in the beginning was real?" My voice cracked, tears streaming down my face—but Lucas just laughed, cold and cruel.

"Listen carefully, Lucia. When we first met, I was genuinely kind to you. But marrying you was business—not love. And you… you jumped at the chance to be my wife just because my parents liked you. Can’t you at least be grateful you’re part of the Grayson family?!"

"H-How dare you…" I sobbed, my hands trembling at my sides.

Rage burned in my chest now, mixing with the heartbreak. How could he hurt me like this when all I’d ever done was love him?

"You’re the most irritating person I know, Lucia." He turned his back on me and stormed up the stairs.

I could do nothing but cry, my fists clenched so tight my nails dug into my palms. I wanted to scream that I knew about Amanda and their son—but how could I even begin to say it?

You’re a fool, Lucia. You loved a man who only used you… who made you look like nothing but a joke.

I rushed up the stairs after him, only to run into him as he came back down carrying a paper bag with his clothes.

"If you try to stop me, you’ll only get hurt, Lucia. Just be the obedient wife you’re supposed to be." He tried to push past me, but I grabbed his arm.

"Tell me the truth, Lucas. Are you really going back to the office… or to your other family?" I asked, forcing myself to meet his eyes.

I saw the flicker of surprise cross his face—proof enough that I was right. I’d been too scared to say it before, but now my pain and anger gave me strength.

"W-What the fuck are you talking about?"

"You know exactly what I mean. Your reaction says it all. You tell everyone you’re staying at the office, but the truth is you’re going back to Amanda… and your son. You’re heartless, Lucas! How could you agree to marry me when you already had a family? If you’d just been honest with me from the start—"

"—How did you find out about that?! Fuck, Lucia—were you spying on me?!" He grabbed both my arms so hard it made me wince.

"Let go! You’re hurting me, Lucas!"

"Were you spying on me?!" he roared.

"You’re the one getting angry? I’m the one who should be furious! We’ve only been married two weeks, and you’ve had a secret family this entire time! You married me for your greed—but why do I have to suffer for your shame?!" I cried out, tears blurring my vision.

I still loved him—but the pain was overwhelming now.

"So what if I did? You gonna run and tell Dad? Go ahead! I’ll just divorce you then. You don’t want to lose me, do you? You’re so obsessed with me that even knowing I don’t love you, you’d still beg for me to stay!"

I stared at him in horror. This wasn’t the man I’d fallen in love with.

"Y-Yes… I do love you. Yes, I can’t bear to lose you—but I’m so stupid! I was blind to what you really are—a man who values money over dignity… a liar who’ll bring shame to the Grayson name! And you know what? I feel sorry for your son—having a father who uses people like tools!"

"You fucking bitch!"

The slap came hard and fast across my cheek. The force sent me stumbling backward—and my feet slipped on the staircase. I reached out for Lucas, hoping he’d catch me—but he just stood there, frozen.

I felt myself tumbling down the steps, each impact sending waves of pain through my body. When I finally hit the bottom, a warm, sticky liquid trickled down my forehead, and my vision began to blur. Through hazy eyes, I watched Lucas stand at the top of the stairs—doing nothing but staring.

How could I have loved a man who’d just watch me die? What did I do to deserve this?

I only loved him…

 

LUCAS’S POV

Fuck! Fuck! I never meant for her to fall! Shit!

I stood rooted to the spot as I watched Lucia roll down the stairs, blood already seeping from a cut on her forehead. I couldn’t move—not until I heard one of the housekeepers scream.

I rushed to her side and lifted her into my arms, racing for the car. She can’t die—Dad would be furious. He might even press charges against me for harming the woman he adores.

I still need her if I want Uncle Noah to hand over his shares—the ones he inherited from Grandpa. If only she hadn’t pushed me so far… but how did she find out about Amanda and our son? Shit!

The hospital staff took her into the emergency room immediately. I paced back and forth in the waiting area, my mind racing. What if she does tell Dad? Everything I’ve worked for will be gone—my reputation, my inheritance… everything.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself.

Calm down, Lucas. You know Lucia—she’s crazy about you. She won’t let anything happen to me. She’ll keep quiet… she’s too scared of losing me.

I straightened my suit and fixed my hair. It couldn’t be that bad—she’ll be fine.

After thirty minutes, the doctor came out to tell me she was stable and had been moved to a private room.

When I walked in, she was still unconscious. I stood over her bed, studying her face.

"You wouldn’t be lying here if you’d just kept your mouth shut."

The door swung open, and I turned to see Mom, Dad, and Uncle Noah standing there.

"Lucia! Oh my God—what happened to her, Lucas?!" Mom cried out, rushing to the bed.

Why do they care so much about her?

"What happened? Tell me now, Lucas!" Dad demanded, his voice sharp with worry. Uncle Noah stood silent in the doorway, his expression unreadable.

"S-She slipped on the stairs. We were heading out for a date—she was happy, and then… this just happened." I put on my best concerned-husband act.

"How is she? What did the doctor say?"

"She’s doing better now, Mom. We just have to wait for her to wake up. I’m worried sick about my wife—but she’s safe now."

"What a caring husband you are, Lucas." Uncle Noah’s voice was cold, and I shot him a sharp look.

"I have to be. She’s my wife." I needed to impress him—now more than ever.

"Oh! Lucia’s waking up!" Mom said softly, and my heart skipped a beat.

Nervous? Why am I nervous? She won’t tell them the truth. She loves me…

I watched as Lucia’s eyes fluttered open. When her gaze landed on me, I froze—but then she looked away, turning to Mom, then Dad, then finally to Uncle Noah. And to my shock, she smiled.

She lifted her right hand, reaching for him. Uncle Noah stepped forward and took it, and her smile grew warmer.

"W-Why am I here, my love? Did something happen to me?" she asked—and Mom and Dad gasped as she addressed Uncle Noah with such intimacy.

"Lu-Lucia—what are you saying? Why are you calling Uncle Noah ‘my love’? I’m your husband!" I cut in, but she just turned to look at me, her expression confused.

"Y-You’re my husband? That’s impossible. All I remember is that Noah is my husband. Stop joking around—you’re not my husband, Lucas. I’m your aunt… your uncle’s wife."

My parents stared at her in disbelief. I just stood there, my mind reeling.

What the hell is she blabbering about?!