Chapter Eleven

BEEP!

The security alarm echoed once more through the mansion.

Lucas's relaxed posture vanished instantly.

His eyes sharpened.

"Stay here," he ordered.

Without waiting for Vivian's response, he strode toward the security control room.

Vivian's heart pounded.

The staff members who had been cleaning the hallway moments ago suddenly became restless. Guards hurried past her with earpieces, speaking into walkie-talkies.

"What happened?" one maid whispered.

"I don't know," another answered nervously.

Vivian wrapped her arms around herself. She had only arrived a few hours ago. How could trouble have followed her here already?

Inside the security room, several monitors displayed every corner of the mansion. The chief of security looked uneasy.

"Sir..."

"What triggered the alarm?" Lucas demanded.

The guard rewound the footage. Everyone stared at the screen.

A shadowy figure appeared briefly near the western fence before disappearing behind thick hedges.

Lucas narrowed his eyes. "Zoom in."

The technician enlarged the footage. Unfortunately, the image became blurry. The person's face remained hidden beneath a hood.

"Damn it." Lucas clenched his fists. "Any signs of forced entry?"

The head guard shook his head. "No, sir. Whoever it was never crossed the perimeter."

Lucas wasn't convinced. "Increase security."

"Yes, sir."

"And nobody enters or leaves this property without my approval."

"Understood."

Meanwhile, Evelyn found Vivian standing alone near the staircase.

"My dear."

Vivian forced a smile. "I'm sorry all this is happening."

Evelyn gently held her hand. "No."

Vivian looked confused.

"You have nothing to apologize for." The older woman's voice carried so much warmth that Vivian felt her eyes sting.

"I don't understand why everyone keeps targeting me."

Evelyn sighed. "Sometimes people become targets simply because they stand close to someone powerful."

Vivian glanced toward Lucas's office. "You mean your son."

Evelyn nodded sadly. "Lucas has enemies. A lot of them."

Vivian suddenly remembered the anonymous caller.

"Leave him."

A chill ran through her body.

***

The family doctor arrived shortly afterward. After another examination, he looked seriously at both Lucas and Evelyn.

"Miss Vivian's blood pressure is still unstable."

Vivian sighed. "I feel much better already."

The doctor smiled politely. "Feeling better doesn't mean you're recovering properly." He closed his medical file. "Stress is becoming dangerous."

Lucas folded his arms. "So what do you recommend?"

The doctor answered without hesitation. "Complete bed rest."

Vivian almost laughed. "That's impossible."

"It isn't." Everyone turned toward Lucas.

He looked directly at Vivian.

"You'll take leave from work."

"No."

"You need rest."

"I need my salary."

"I'll cover it."

"I don't need your money."

The room became silent. The doctor quietly excused himself.

After the doctor left, frustration exploded.

"I'm tired of everyone deciding my life!" Vivian shouted.

Lucas remained calm. "I'm trying to protect you."

"No." She shook her head. "You're trying to control me."

His expression hardened. "There's a difference."

"I don't see one."

Lucas inhaled deeply before speaking again.

"If something happens to you because I let you walk away." He stopped.

For the first time since they'd met, Lucas looked genuinely afraid.

His next words were barely above a whisper. "I won't forgive myself."

Vivian froze.

That wasn't the cold billionaire talking. That was a man carrying guilt.

For the cruise.

For the pregnancy.

For the danger surrounding her.

She looked away first. "I don't know how to trust you."

Lucas nodded slowly. "I know."

A long silence followed. Finally, Evelyn stepped between them.

"There has to be a compromise."

Both looked at her. She smiled gently.

"Vivian doesn't have to sign any contract."

Vivian blinked.

"And Lucas doesn't have to force anything."

Lucas frowned slightly.

"So?"

"So..." Evelyn squeezed Vivian's hand. "You stay here temporarily. Not as an employee, not because of a contract, but because you're carrying my grandchild." She smiled warmly, "And because every mother deserves somewhere safe."

Vivian looked at Evelyn. Then at Lucas. Then back again.

Her apartment suddenly felt very far away.

The threatening calls.

The mysterious footsteps.

The fake dismissal.

Everything came rushing back.

She slowly lowered her head. "Only until I'm safe."

Lucas gave a single nod.

"Agreed."

***

The atmosphere became noticeably lighter.

One of the maids smiled. "I'll prepare Miss Vivian's room."

Evelyn beamed happily. "I've already had one prepared."

Vivian looked surprised. "You... expected me to stay?"

Evelyn chuckled. "A grandmother always hopes."

Despite herself, Vivian smiled. It was a small smile, but genuine.

Lucas noticed. For some reason, seeing her smile felt strangely satisfying.

One of the staff led Vivian upstairs. "This will be your room, ma'am."

The bedroom was larger than her entire apartment. Soft cream-colored walls. A private balcony. Fresh flowers. An attached nursery-sized sitting area. Everything looked luxurious yet warm.

Vivian stood speechless. "I can't stay somewhere this expensive."

The maid smiled. "Mr. Lucas insisted the room be comfortable."

Vivian muttered quietly, "Of course he did." She placed her small suitcase on the bed.

Everything felt unreal. Just a week ago, she'd been worried about paying rent.

Now she was living inside the mansion of the father of her unborn child.

Life truly had a strange sense of humor.

Later that evening, Vivian decided to unpack. She opened the wardrobe. It was already filled. Pregnancy clothes. Comfortable shoes. Maternity pillows. Toiletries. Everything arranged neatly.

She frowned. "Who bought all these?"

A maid answered softly, "Mr. Lucas did."

Vivian stood frozen. "He bought all this?"

"Yes, ma'am. He instructed us to prepare before you arrived."

Vivian looked around the room again. She suddenly realized Lucas had expected her to come.

Long before she had agreed.

Shaking her head, she walked toward another door inside the bedroom, assuming it was another closet. She turned the handle. The door opened.

She stepped through - and froze. Someone else froze too.

Lucas.

Fresh from the shower. A towel wrapped around his waist. Water still dripping from his hair. He stared at Vivian in complete surprise.

Vivian's eyes widened.

"You..."

Lucas looked from the open door back to her. Then sighed.

"I was wondering when someone would discover it."

Vivian blinked. "Discover what?"

Lucas pointed calmly toward the doorway between them.

"That our bedrooms are connected."

Both of them stared at the open interior door in stunned silence.