I'm not jealous, you're jealous!

Roman POV

It's her! I knew she was here the moment I walked into this house. It was confusing at first until…now. After all these years, she's as beautiful as the first time I saw her.

"Roman," Cherry's high-pitched voice sliced through my thoughts. "Meet my stepmother, my father's old little trophy, Astra."

Step- what?

Did I hear that correctly? This has to be a sick joke. I looked from Astra to Lucien. She married this old skunk?

What the fuck?!

"You're married?" I spat at Astra. I couldn't help getting pissed.

"And you're just about to get married." Astra spat back. I could see her shocked gaze fade to irritation. 

"You guys know each other?" Cherry's wide blue eyes darted between us, awaiting an explanation.

"Yes," I spat just as soon as she spat her "No," 

Our gaze blazed at each other, making Cherry even more confused.

"We don't know each other," Astra said with finality, her gaze swinging from mine to Cherry's. 

Lucien approached us and threw his arms over her waist, pulling her close to himself. "Dinner's getting cold. Won't you lead the way now, honey?" I swear it took a great deal of self-control to not snatch Lucien's foul hands off her body. 

Astra only stood still and stiff, her eyes lost in her world, like she had been held hostage. Is that what this is all about? Are they keeping her here against her will? Did Lucien play his awful tricks on her like he does on the rest of his women?

"Fine." Astra announced like she had no choice in the matter. "Come with me everyone." Her hips swing as she matched into the dining room. 

I couldn't get my eyes off her. Her body still looks tender and soft like our first time together. But her eyes were hardened now, almost heavy, like she had been crying. I clenched my fist tightly as we settled into the dining chair and the staff surrounded us with the meal for the night.

I was here to negotiate with Lucien, yet here I am, jealous of him. 

He got her before I did?! 

No, no. I'm not jealous of Lucien! 

I would never be jealous of this greedy skunk!

Yet I couldn't get my eyes off her as she moved with the staff and served the meal, her eyes low and sad. 

I felt anger and disappointment. Why will she marry Lucien?! 

"Dig in, honey!" Cherry's harsh singsong voice interrupted my thoughts again. I had totally forgotten she was sitting right next to me, her gaze never leaving me, not even once. "The caviar is especially tasty." She sang. "You should try it." 

She followed my gaze, seeing me staring at her stepmother. "Well, Astra also loves fish. She gourges everything with the bones if she has the chance."

Lucien chuckled. "Oh, Cherry, don't talk that way about your stepmother. We both know Astra is fat already. She needs all the encouragement to get back in shape."

They both laughed.

My eyes darted to Astra again, this time seeking an explanation. I wish she could match my eyes, but anytime she did, she looked at me with a glare that could bring a predator to his knees.

Wait, does she hate me, too?

Astra's POV

The scumbag!

The fool!

The jilt!

After all these years, he returned with his worthy bride? A millionaire's daughter? I hated myself as I stood there, serving the meal to the three people I can't stand!

I wish I could spit in his food or toss it in his face. But I had to keep myself together. No one in this room must know I had relations with Roman, my soon to be son in law. Absolutely no one!

I had hoped the next time I saw him again, I wouldn't feel the pain of that betrayal, but here I am. It still feels as fresh as yesterday. Yet he is still as dashingly handsome as the first day I met him. His eyes filled with intoxicating seductiveness.

His lip, those lips that held mine tenderly, begging me for more, those strong hands that wrapped around my body, pressed into my skin, sending waves of electricity jolting through my bones, these hips that…

Wait! What am I doing?!

I bit my lips, my eyes darting to him. He was staring at me. Gosh, why does he have to stare so hard? I felt bare before him, like he could see through me. 

Like he could see my pains, my fears, like he could tell I've been crying. That was the way he looked at me the first time we met.

I felt my heart palpitating.

Lucien and Cherry went on about a conversation, but their voices only blurred in the background. Everything, absolutely everything, faded away, yet only Roman remained. His questioning blue eyes fixed on me.

I can't do this anymore. 

I could cry if I sat on this table for one more second. 

"Lucien," I leaned in. His eyebrow furrowed in irritation, and I had interrupted his conversation. "I'm sorry, but I need to excuse myself briefly. I'll be right back." I whispered in his ear. My gaze lowered to the floor, but I could tell Roman's eyes followed my every move. 

Lucien waved his hands like I was a fly buzzing over his ears, one he would rather not swat with his palm, though he could if he wanted.

I threw the napkin on the table, pulled away, and stepped out of the room. I ran to a nearby bathroom and cried.

It's one thing for the man I thought loved me so much to get rid of me in such a cruel way. It's another for the man I had loved all my life to return after years of dumping me to be the husband of my awful stepdaughter. 

While I was unraveling in the bathroom, I heard the sound of their laughter from the dining room. 

I had lost on every side, and all I felt was hopeless and alone. 

I watched myself in the mirror for a moment. 

Lucien, how could you? I loved you!

You promised to spoil me silly. You promised to comfort me when I needed comfort. You promised to always apologise. You promised to love me and protect me from the cold world outside.

You told me, "Leave your business behind. Those crappy dollars you're making won't matter when you come under my wings. You won't have to work a day in your life. You won't lift a finger for a single chore."

I remember Lucien's gaze when he said that to me. He was so earnest. So tender. His lips occasionally curved that knowing-smirk like he's the smartest man in the room.

"Oh, Lucien!" I sobbed, circling my arms around my body. It's cold here. And I felt my body covered in goosebumps. 

Suddenly, I heard footsteps. 

Lucien? Is that him? Is he coming to comfort me? Is he here to assure me it was all a joke? And he still loves me and is willing to make this marriage work. 

I quickly wiped my tears, my heart palpitating in my chest. The footsteps were getting closer and closer. Lucien was probably looking for me. He did that anytime he missed me. So I jolted to the door, swinging it open, my eyes widened with hope.

The open door revealed a tall figure in the shadowy hallway, standing, waiting for me. He stepped forward into the light, revealing his icy blue eyes. 

It wasn't Lucien standing before me.

It was Roman!

What is he doing here?!