CHAPTER 12

♥♥♥♥

Before Layla could even raise her eyebrows to check the situation, the scene before her made her scream.

Her heart pounded as she tapped the driver’s shoulder, yelling for him to stop the car…. but he didn’t. Panic clawed at her chest. She grabbed the handle to open the door herself, but froze when she noticed something that made her blood run cold.

There…..right beside them, in the car that should’ve been crushed…..sat a familiar figure.

Lucian.

Alive. Calm. Unbothered.

Layla’s breath hitched. Is that… a ghost?

“Surprise!” Lucian said casually, waving at her from the other car. His lips curved into an infuriating smirk as he watched her stunned expression. He remembered clearly how he had switched cars earlier in the traffic and set the first car on auto-drive.

“I guess she’s getting old already,” he murmured under his breath, amusement flickering in his eyes. “What an outdated attack. Still, quite the wedding gift.”

He closed his eyes, resting his head back against the seat, completely relaxed.

His phone buzzed. The caller ID flashed Steve.

“How was it?” Steve asked from the other end, his tone filled with curiosity.

“Not bad,” Lucian replied dryly. “Still her same old tricks.”

Steve chuckled. “As predicted.”

“Yeah,” Lucian muttered.

“See you at the reception,” Steve said before hanging up.

Layla was still in utter disbelief. Her mind couldn’t process what she had just witnessed. Wasn’t he in the car that was crushed by the truck? she thought, unable to tear her gaze away from the man now driving beside her…. alive and perfectly fine.

By the time Lucian switched back into her car, she still hadn’t found her voice. The questions swirled wildly in her head, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask a single one. Instead, she sat quietly, her pulse racing, all the way to the venue.

******

Lucian got out of the car first and extended his hand toward her. Layla hesitated before placing hers in his, her fingers trembling slightly.

As they entered the reception hall… lavishly decorated with crystal chandeliers and roses…. the crowd erupted in applause.

“Long live the newlyweds!” The guests cheered, voices echoing through the grand hall.

Lucian gave a graceful nod, lifting his hand in acknowledgment. His composure was regal, every move calculated.

He took the microphone and gave a short speech....his voice deep and resonant, thanking everyone who came and offering brief words of appreciation to his new bride.

When they stepped down from the podium, Steve approached, his usual grin in place.

“How are you, Mrs. Hilton?” he teased, and Layla couldn’t help but laugh softly, understanding the joke immediately.

“I’m good… brother-in-law,” she said with a knowing smile, and they both chuckled.

Lucian’s sharp gaze shifted toward the entrance, where a woman in her forties was walking in with effortless poise. The edges of his mouth lifted into a smirk, and he subtly signaled Steve.

Steve followed his line of sight, then whispered, “She’s here.”

The woman approached them, her beauty mature but commanding, the kind that demanded respect the moment she stepped into a room.

“Do you like my present?” she said smoothly, her lips curving into a dangerous smile. “I wasn’t sure what to get for a wedding gift.”

Layla blinked, confused. Who is she? A wedding gift? What were they talking about?

The people around them began to notice the quiet tension forming between the four figures, their attention slowly turning toward the scene. Layla could feel the shift in the atmosphere…. the strange, knowing looks between the two men and the woman sent unease curling through her stomach.

“You picked it perfectly, sis,” Lucian replied with a thin smile. “I couldn’t have loved it more.”

The woman’s smirk faltered slightly.

“How was your trip, sis?” Steve asked mockingly, a glint of humor in his eyes.

“Not bad,” the woman answered, lifting her chin proudly. “I came back as soon as I heard my little brother’s wedding date. I couldn’t possibly miss it for anything.”

Layla gasped, her thoughts racing. Wait…. Vivienne Hilton? The Vivienne Hilton?

The only daughter of Elder Hilton. One of the most ambitious, competitive women in the corporate world.

Before she could fully collect her thoughts, Vivienne turned toward her with a dazzling yet intimidating smile.

“Good evening, ma’am,” Layla said politely, feeling awkward under her sharp gaze.

“I’m your sister-in-law, sweetheart. Be free,” Vivienne replied, her voice smooth but laced with something unreadable.

“O-okay, ma’am,” Layla stammered with a shy smile.

Vivienne chuckled softly and shook her head. “Your woman is easy,” she whispered to Lucian before striding off.

Steve exhaled sharply as soon as she was gone, muttering, “Her retirement days are knocking.”

Lucian’s lips curved again, both men sharing an unspoken understanding.

Layla, however, was completely lost. The incident before the party had already left her shaken, and now all of this only deepened her confusion.

********

Her stepmother appeared soon after, smiling too brightly as she led them toward the Carter family’s table.

Lucian and Steve greeted everyone politely, raising their glasses when a toast was made to the newlyweds.

Layla forced a smile, doing her best to keep up appearances. Her stepmother’s hand squeezed hers tightly under the table.

“I’m so happy for you, sweetheart,” the woman said in a syrupy tone.

Layla’s smile tightened. She scoffed inwardly but kept her face composed.

Her stepmother pulled her in for a hug, whispering in her ear, “Don’t do anything stupid.”

They both pulled away smiling, perfectly staged for the watching guests.

Layla’s father remained silent the entire time, his expression unreadable.

“I’ll take care of myself, Father,” she said quietly, but he only nodded and looked away.

After a while, they moved from table to table, greeting the elders and influential guests. Layla was introduced to several people she had only ever read about in business headlines.

It was overwhelming.

*******

Later, the three of them… Lucian, Steve, and Layla… sat together at a private table.

Layla found her gaze drifting toward Lucian. He was calm, unreadable, his attention fixed on the crowd rather than her. When he refused to meet her eyes, she sighed softly and looked away.

That’s when she spotted her sister, Vanessa, across the hall…. clinging shamelessly to a man in his twenties.

The man seemed disinterested, barely responding to her advances, yet she followed him like a lost puppy. Layla frowned. Who is that?

The man walked toward their table, Vanessa trailing behind him.

“What a lovely couple,” he said dryly, forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

Steve leaned back in his chair, muttering under his breath, “The toddler’s here.”

“Long live the newlyweds,” the man said again, clearly irritated that no one was paying him attention.

“Thank you,” Layla replied politely, still not knowing who he was.

“Layla, right? I’m Jack,” he said, his voice carrying a hint of pride.

She nodded slightly, but before he could sit, two legs…. Lucian’s and Steve’s… kicked the chair from opposite directions.

Jack stumbled but caught himself in time. Layla gasped, startled by their childishness, while Vanessa looked mortified.

Jack Hilton—the first grandchild of the Hilton family, son of Lucian’s deceased stepbrother…. glared at them.

“How do you greet your elders?” Steve asked coolly, crossing his legs and narrowing his eyes.

Jack clenched his jaw. “Good evening, uncles,” he said through gritted teeth.

Steve nodded, pretending to be impressed.

As Jack was about to sit again, Lucian’s deep voice cut through the air.

“Layla… she’s my wife now. Your aunt-in-law.”

Jack froze, his face hardening. “I was rude earlier. I’m sorry, Aunt,” he said stiffly, then turned and walked away with Vanessa following behind.

Layla stared at the two men in disbelief. “He’s just a kid,” Steve said lightly, trying to brush it off.

“You two are the ones acting like kids,” she shot back. “You’re bullies!”

Then she stood and walked off, shaking her head.

Steve glanced at Lucian. “What was that?”

Lucian only shrugged.

Layla walked toward the restroom, muttering under her breath about “grown men acting like children.”

On her way back, she spotted an elderly woman standing alone near one of the side exits… dignified in posture but clearly needing assistance. Layla recognized her immediately.

Claudia Hilton.

The matriarch of the Hilton family.

Surprised, Layla hurried forward. “Ma’am, are you okay?”

The old woman turned with a kind smile. “Ah, you must be Layla.”

Her voice was soft yet commanding, the kind that carried generations of authority.

“Yes, ma’am,” Layla said respectfully.

“Such good manners,” Claudia said, pleased. “Walk with me, child.”

Layla offered her arm and escorted her back toward the hall. As they entered, she noticed the old woman wasn’t accompanied by her assistant. Why would someone like her wander around alone? Layla wondered but didn’t dare ask.

They reached the elders’ table, and Claudia patted the seat beside her. “Sit with me, dear.”

Layla hesitated. “Oh, I shouldn’t…”

“I insist,” Claudia interrupted warmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Layla smiled shyly and took the seat. To her surprise, the old woman was easy to talk to…. witty, attentive, and refreshingly genuine. Within minutes, Layla felt oddly comfortable, laughing at a few of the woman’s dry remarks.

Across the room, Lucian’s sharp eyes scanned the crowd until he found her.

There she was…. sitting comfortably beside his grandmother, smiling, her dimples showing, her eyes bright with laughter.

He shook his head in disbelief. “She’s unbelievable,” he muttered under his breath.

Steve followed his gaze and chuckled. “Your wife is too naive for this world.”

Lucian’s expression softened slightly. “She’ll adapt soon enough,” he said, turning his attention back to the guests, though his mind lingered on her.

*******

Layla continued chatting happily with the old matriarch until a tall man in his fifties approached them, his expression warm and familiar.

“Good evening,” he greeted with a bright smile.

Layla stood respectfully.

“Welcome to the Hilton family,” the man said with genuine warmth.

“Thank you, sir,” Layla replied politely.

“This is Miguel,” Claudia said, gesturing toward him. “Lucian’s uncle.”

“It’s an honor to meet you,” Layla added, returning his smile.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Miguel and his mother went to greet other guests, leaving Layla momentarily alone.

*******

Meanwhile, Lucian stood across the hall, answering a business call. But as his eyes drifted over the room, something caught his attention… the chandelier above the elders’ table.

A faint metallic creak echoed from its chain.

His gaze sharpened.

The fixture trembled slightly.

In the next heartbeat, the bolts snapped.

“Layla!” Lucian shouted.

He dashed across the hall in one swift motion. The chandelier came crashing down—but not before Lucian lunged forward, grabbing Layla by the arm and yanking her out of harm’s way.

The crystal lights shattered against the floor where she’d just been sitting.

Gasps filled the hall. Guests screamed and rushed toward the scene, shock rippling through the crowd.

Layla’s heart pounded violently, her ears ringing as she stared at the wreckage in disbelief. She had narrowly escaped death…. again.

Lucian didn’t give anyone time to swarm them. His grip on her hand was firm, almost possessive, as he led her quickly out of the hall.

“Lucian… wait!” Layla managed, still dazed.

Before they reached the exit, a deep, mocking voice called from somewhere behind them, “Happy married life.”

Lucian froze for a split second, his jaw tightening, then kept walking.

Outside, under the cold evening air, he finally turned to face her.

Layla’s eyes were still wide, her face pale. She could barely process what had just happened.

“I told you not to befriend them,” Lucian said sharply, his tone low and scolding, “and to stay close to me.”

Layla blinked, stunned by his words. “So… it wasn’t an accident?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Lucian didn’t answer. His silence was answer enough.

Steve appeared at the door, looking concerned. “Are you guys alright?” His eyes went straight to Layla.

Lucian nodded curtly. Layla didn’t respond; she was still trying to steady her breathing.

“We’ll head home now,” Lucian said firmly, taking her hand again.

“Alright, buddy. I’ll handle things here,” Steve replied, giving him a knowing look.

Lucian guided Layla into the car. As they drove off, the venue behind them buzzed with murmurs, the crowd still reeling from what had happened.

******

Back inside, Steve returned to the stage. He picked up the microphone and announced calmly, “The couple had to leave early, everyone. Please continue to enjoy the evening.”

As he stepped down, a familiar female voice drifted from behind him.

“Did she like it?”

Steve turned, his expression hardening. Vivienne stood there, arms folded, eyes gleaming with cruel amusement.

“You scared the girl,” Steve said flatly. “Don’t drag her into this. You know my best friend doesn’t like being indebted to anyone.”

Vivienne tilted her head with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

Steve gave her one last warning look before walking away, leaving her standing in the dim light, her smirk lingering like poison.