MasukLucas’s POVThe sun was shining through the windows of the Ashford mansion, but inside, the air felt like a storm was coming.It had been exactly one year and one month since the wedding. My life had become a circle of gray days. I woke up, I went to the office, I signed papers, and I came home to a house that felt like a battlefield. I was trying to be a good husband. I bought Valentina everything she asked for. I took her to every party. But no matter how much gold I gave her, she was never happy.And now, there was a new problem. A silent problem that was growing louder every day.I walked into the dining room for breakfast. My mother, Evelyn, was already there. She was sitting at the head of the table, her face tight and worried. Valentina sat opposite her, picking at a piece of dry toast. She looked bored and angry."Lucas, sit down," my mother said. Her voice was sharp."Good morning, Mother," I said, taking my seat.The room was quiet for a few minutes. The only sound was the c
Naomi’s POVThe labor came in the middle of a rainy night.The rain was drumming on the stone roof of the cottage. It was a loud, soothing sound. But inside, I was in pain. It wasn't the sharp, scary pain of the hospital in Lyon. It was a strong, steady pain. It was the pain of a new life trying to arrive."Breathe, Naomi," Martha said. She was sitting by my bed, holding my hand. Clara was in the kitchen, boiling water and getting clean cloths ready."It hurts," I whispered."I know, dear. But you are strong. You are a mountain girl now," Martha smiled.I closed my eyes. I didn't think about the pain. I thought about the little boy I had been waiting for. I thought about the first time I would see his face.The hours passed slowly. The sun began to rise over the mountains, turning the sky a soft pink and orange. The rain stopped, leaving the world smelling fresh and clean.And then, with one final push, the room was filled with a new sound.A cry.It was a loud, healthy cry that echoe
I didn't say anything. I knew she was right. Every time I felt him move, I felt a connection to a world I had left behind. But it wasn't a sad connection. It was a peaceful one. Here, my baby was safe. He wouldn't be born into a world of contracts and lies. He would be born into the fresh air and the quiet.I had a small room with a window that looked at the stars. Every night, I would look at the moon and think about Lucas. I didn't wish him bad things. I hoped he was finding a way to be happy. I hoped his mother was well. I hoped he was safe.I had forgiven him. Not because what he did was right, but because I needed to be free. If I carried anger, I couldn't be a good mother."We are peaceful now," I whispered to the wind.And for the first time in my life, I truly felt like I was. I had no money, no title, and no "husband," but I had a roof over my head and a heart full of love for the life growing inside me.Lucas’s POV – Six Months LaterTime moved like a slow, heavy river.The
Lucas’s POVThe first few months of marriage were like walking through a house made of ice. Everything looked beautiful, everything was expensive, but there was no warmth. I had moved back into the master suite of the Ashford mansion with Valentina. My mother was happy, the stock market was stable, and the Rossi-Ashford merger was the talk of the business world.I decided that since I had no choice, I would try. I would try to be a good husband. I would try to forget the girl with the green apples. I would try to build a life out of the pieces I had left."Good morning, Lucas," Valentina said one morning. She was sitting at the long breakfast table, wearing a silk robe that cost more than most people's cars."Morning," I said, sititng down. I picked up the newspaper."I was thinking," she said, her voice high and sharp, "that we should remodel the east wing. It’s so old-fashioned. I want everything to be white marble and gold. Like a palace.""If it makes you happy, Valentina, do it,"
The silence grew longer. The guests began to shift. I heard a cough in the back. Charlotte leaned forward, her eyes wide with a tiny spark of hope.I took a deep breath. I felt the ring in my pocket. It felt like a hot coal."I do," I said.The words felt like lead. They fell from my lips and hit the floor, heavy and cold.Valentina’s smile grew wider. She looked like she wanted to scream with joy. The priest turned to her."And do you, Valentina Rossi..."I didn't hear the rest. I felt like I was drifting away from my own body. I had said it. I had done my duty. I had saved the company. I had made my mother happy.But as the priest spoke the final words and told me I could kiss the bride, I felt a piece of my soul break off and disappear. I leaned in and kissed Valentina’s cheek. She tasted like expensive powder and cold ambition.The organ began to play—a loud, triumphant song. The guests stood up and cheered. We turned and began the long walk down the aisle.I walked with my head h
The priest began to speak. His voice echoed through the high stone arches of the cathedral."We are gathered here today..."I closed my eyes. I couldn't watch. I felt like I was watching a slow-motion car crash, and I was the only one trying to scream "Stop!" while everyone else was clapping.Naomi’s POVThe men in the dark suits were still sitting in the living room. I could hear them talking in low voices. They hadn't hurt us, but their presence was like a heavy weight on the house. Martha was in the kitchen, her hands shaking as she washed the dishes over and over again."Sarah," Martha whispered, coming into my room. She looked at the door to make sure the men weren't listening. "We have to go.""How?" I asked. My voice was weak. "The doctor said I can't walk. And they are right there.""They are distracted," Martha said. She leaned in close, her eyes bright with a sudden fire. "They are listening to the radio. They think you are a prisoner who has given up. But I have a back door
Naomi’s POVThe van ride felt like it lasted forever. My back ached, and my head felt heavy, but I didn't dare sleep for long. Every time the driver pulled over at a rest stop, I pulled my hood lower and looked out the window with a pounding heart. I saw families eating ice cream and truckers drink
Naomi’s POVThe sky was still a bruised purple when my eyes snapped open. I hadn’t slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the man in the brown jacket. I saw Lucas’s cold, dark eyes. I saw the golden cage of the mansion waiting to swallow me whole.I knew I couldn't stay. Not another hour. Not an
I walked to the window and looked out. The street was starting to wake up. People were walking to work, children were carrying schoolbags. Somewhere in that crowd, Naomi was disappearing again."I don't care how hard it is," I said, my voice cold and hard. "I want every road out of this city monito
Lucas’s POVThe sun had fully risen, but it didn't feel like a new day. It felt like the continuation of a nightmare. I stood in my study, watching the steam rise from a cup of coffee I hadn't touched. My private investigator, a man named Elias, stood by the door. Elias was like a shadow—he was qui







