Sweet Side Of Him

I didn’t expect the letter. It had been a good day until it arrived. Things were better now, especially with Lucian in my life. He made everything feel easier, and lighter. But even his presence couldn’t erase the sting of my past. That tiny ache still throbbed in the back of my mind every time I thought of Chris. He had betrayed me and I wasn’t going to let him get away with it. Marrying his uncle wasn’t just revenge, it was the beginning. I was going to take everything from him. His pride, his peace and his place.

I held the letter in my hand, my fingers steady even though my heart wasn’t. When I finally opened it and started reading, I almost laughed. The words he wrote were pitiful. He called me names, accused me of chasing Lucian for his money and status. He called me a whore. I smiled to myself because it was funny.

I hadn’t even started anything with Lucian yet, not really. And even if I had, he was going to be my husband.

The whole town was already talking that Lucian Silverclaw was taking a mate and it was me. That alone was enough to drive Chris mad.

“What’s that?”

I heard Lucian’s voice behind me. Startled, I turned around and quickly crushed the letter in my hand.

“I didn’t know you’d be back today,” I said, hoping to move past the subject. He had been away for business, out of the country.

He walked closer, his brows slightly lifted. "I flew in early. Wanted to check how things were going with the preparations. But it looked like you were deep in thought."

“What?” I asked, a little distracted.

“I’ve been standing here for a while. You didn’t even notice me.”

I raised an eyebrow, trying to hide the slight embarrassment. "Is this how things are going to be now? You always in my business?"

His answer came firm and fast. "Yes. I’ll be in your business, all over it. Because you’re mine, Isabella."

I smirked. "Not yet technically, but alright. There was a letter from Chris."

"My nephew?"

"Do you know any other Chris?"

He narrowed his eyes slightly. "What did he want?"

I hesitated for a moment before handing him the crumpled paper. While he read it, I let my eyes roam over him.

Taking notice of stature. How composed, and sinfully handsome Lucian was, even when older than Chris but  he used in holding himself with more confidence, and more control. There was power in the way he moved, which feels undeniable dominating.

And when he kissed me, gods help me, it was impossible to forget. The way his lips felt, how soft they were against mine even though everything else about him was hard. Our first kiss had caught me off guard when it happened at dinner, a moment he had completely taken charge of, and he had kissed me like he owned me.

His voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Is there more to this letter that I should know about?”

I blinked, looking confused. “W-what?”

“You looked lost in thought. Just wondering if there’s anything else I should be aware of.”

“Oh. No, that’s all. I was just thinking. Making a mental note that's all.”

He studied me for a moment, then asked quietly, “Are you okay with this?”

I smiled softly. His concern always caught me off guard. For a man who could command a room with a glance, he was surprisingly gentle with me.

“I don’t care what Chris thinks. He doesn’t matter. I don’t belong to him. He came to me, not the other way around. The world can believe whatever it wants.”

Lucian’s expression softened, and he smiled. It was rare, but when he did smile, it changed everything. It made him look younger, kinder and s inexier.

“Then we should invite him to the wedding,” he said casually.

I raised an eyebrow. “Not just him. He should bring his little mistress too. They should both see what real power looks like.”

Lucian laughed. “You really have your own plans, don’t you?”

“Not exactly. But it would be fun to see their faces, don’t you think? He’s your family. He'll be there anyway. He’s welcome.”

He watched me for a beat longer. “You’re more outspoken than I expected. I like it.”

I laughed. “I wasn’t always like this.”

He stepped closer, lifting my chin with his fingers. His gaze locked onto mine and then, without warning, he kissed me. It wasn’t rushed or forceful. It was slow, and deliberate, like he was telling me I belonged to him in every way.

Chris never kissed me like this. Chris never looked at me like I was precious. But Lucian did. And when he pulled away, I was breathless.

“Anything that makes you happy, Isabella, I’ll give it to you.”

My heart fluttered. “Thank you.”

He smiled again. “I should go say hello to your brother and father. Come with me? I’d rather not be alone with them.”

There it was, that softer side of him. The one that peeked through when he was around me. It was adorable.

I laughed lightly and patted his arm. “Of course. Anything that makes you happy.”

He nodded and walked away, leaving me standing there with a small smile on my lips.

Things were already going as planned. And I couldn’t wait for Chris to see it all.

He thought he could break me. But I’m not the one who’s going to end up broken.