CHAPTER 6

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Lucian was the illegitimate son of the Hilton family… a man who made countless enemies on his path to becoming who he was.

“It’s nice having you here,” her stepmother said, directing her words to Lucian.

Layla was still shocked. She couldn’t fake a smile anymore. She wanted to be sure if the man really recognized her now that she wasn’t wearing her mask, but he didn’t seem to notice. That alone made her feel relieved.

Her eyes widened immediately when reality hit her. What! This man… my husband? I’m getting married to him? she thought in disbelief.

Layla was still in shock; she could barely breathe. The man who helped her that night was actually her husband-to-be, not just any man, but the almighty Lucian Hilton, who had left his household to build his own empire under his mother’s last name, the President of Reyer’s Corporation!

She blamed herself bitterly for not watching television or reading the news more often. How could I not recognize him? she thought.

“It’s a lovely evening, isn’t it?” her stepmother said, breaking the silence.

“Of course it is,” the old man Hilton replied with a polite smile.

Layla secretly glanced at Lucian, who didn’t seem interested in the gathering. He sat there quietly, trying not to draw attention, but still… he was the center of it. She studied him carefully… his soft brown hair, those blazing green eyes that could melt a soul, and those slightly parted red lips.

I guess I didn’t notice all this at the bar because I was too troubled. Even his fingers deserve their own fan! How can someone in his forties look this dangerously handsome? she mused inwardly.

Lucian caught her staring. He cleared his throat, making Layla jerk up immediately.

She smiled awkwardly when she noticed everyone at the table looking at her. Embarrassed, she quickly looked away. It’s your fault for being handsome! she screamed inwardly.

Since she had spent her youth taking care of her daughter, she never really had the chance to look at a man… especially not a beautiful one…. this closely.

“I assume this is the youngest mistress,” the old man Hilton said, referring to Layla.

“Yes, she is,” her stepmother replied smoothly.

“I heard there was no trace of her in the city some years back. I thought you had only one child,” the old man added, glancing at Vanessa…. who had returned after hearing that Layla would replace her. The Carter family was clearly taken aback by his words.

“That’s right,” Margot quickly said with a forced laugh. “My youngest daughter went abroad to have some fun. She liked it there so much she didn’t want to return home.”

Layla wasn’t surprised by her stepmother’s quick lie. Margot was the best pretender she’d ever known. Layla forced a polite smile to confirm the story. She had to act like the “youngest” because the proposal was meant for Vanessa.

“The young mistress must like exploring a lot,” the old man said pleasantly.

Layla nodded and smiled. “Just call me Layla, please,” she said politely, stealing a glance at Lucian.

Lucian gazed at her briefly after hearing her voice… something about it felt strangely familiar… but he shook the thought away.

“Oh right… Layla,” the old man repeated with a smile. Layla nodded in satisfaction.

Vanessa, on the other hand, was fuming. She couldn’t stand not being the center of attention. She decided to pull a childish trick.

She purposely dropped her spoon, the clattering sound echoing loudly and drawing everyone’s attention.

“I’m sorry! I was too clumsy,” Vanessa said, pretending to look embarrassed.

“Are you okay? Hope you’re not hurt?” their father asked worriedly.

Layla’s heart stung. Seeing her father worry over a dropped spoon… all for her sister… reminded her of how little his love ever meant for her. She quickly shook it off.

“I’m fine,” Vanessa said softly, her voice faint. “I just feel a little weak this evening.”

She stole a glance at Lucian, but he wasn’t looking her way despite her noisy act. Layla knew Vanessa was pretending just to attract attention. She smiled faintly, amused at her sister’s immaturity.

“If Miss Carter isn’t feeling well, why doesn’t she go inside and rest?” the old man Hilton suggested gently.

“I appreciate your concern, Elder Hilton, but that won’t be necessary. It’s not that bad,” Vanessa said politely, still trying to see if Lucian would finally glance her way… but he didn’t.

Who knew he’d be this handsome in person? she thought, instantly regretting her earlier rejection of the proposal.

She tried to win Lucian’s attention, but the old man Hilton wasn’t impressed.

“You don’t have to honor us with your presence if you’re unwell,” he said bluntly. “You’re not going to be the bride anyway.”

His words landed like a slap. Vanessa froze.

The proposal had originally been for her, but she’d turned it down after hearing that Lucian was illegitimate and much older. Now, seeing him in person, she regretted it deeply. But it was too late…. Elder Hilton’s words had sealed her fate.

Vanessa forced an awkward smile, embarrassed and furious. “I’m really fine,” she said, trying not to humiliate herself further. Layla glanced at her, only to receive a sharp glare in return.

Lucian noticed the silent exchange between the sisters. Something about this family amused him… but it wasn’t his concern.

Interesting, he thought.

Margot looked embarrassed but kept quiet. Their father, as usual, was blissfully unaware of the tension.

“I assume we have nothing more to discuss about these two,” the old man Hilton said finally. “Their marriage should be registered in two weeks. Let’s hold a family gathering next week for their engagement. What do you say, Mr. Carter?”

“The earlier, the better,” Mr. Carter replied, laughing happily.

Layla’s jaw nearly dropped. What? Married in two weeks? Isn’t that too soon? she thought, panic flooding her chest.

She looked at Lucian…. but he seemed completely unbothered.

“I wish to know more about you, Layla,” Elder Hilton said kindly. “Why don’t we have lunch together this week? We can go see some places too, since you love to explore.”

Layla was caught off guard. She looked to her stepmother for guidance, and Margot nodded approvingly.

“I’d be delighted,” Layla said, smiling politely.

“Good,” the old man said with satisfaction. “Then my son here will come pick you up.”

Lucian gave his father a questioning look, but the old man only smiled and nodded, leaving no room for argument.

Layla was equally surprised. The entire family fell silent.

“I appreciate your kindness, Elder Hilton,” Layla said gently, “but that won’t be necessary.”

“You don’t have to worry,” Elder Hilton insisted. “He’ll come pick you up.”

Layla nodded reluctantly, stealing another glance at Lucian.

Lucian didn’t argue. He knew exactly what his father was trying to do.

Vanessa clenched her fists under the table, seething silently.

After dinner, they all moved to the living room. Elder Hilton and Mr. Carter began discussing business while Margot and Vanessa sat nearby, pretending to listen. Vanessa’s eyes darted toward Layla and Lucian’s seating positions, her jealousy burning.

Layla sat across from Lucian, her eyes unwilling to look away. She studied him shamelessly…. the curve of his jaw, the way he leaned against the chair, even the calm way he scrolled on his phone.

God, control yourself, she scolded herself internally, but her gaze betrayed her.

Lucian, aware of her stare, pretended not to notice. He let her look, unbothered, expression unreadable.

When Layla realized what she was doing, she felt her cheeks burn. She quickly excused herself and walked out to the garden.

Outside, she breathed in the fresh night air. The gentle wind brushed against her skin, pushing back her wavy black hair. For a moment, she felt alive again.

She took out her phone, opened her gallery, and stared at her daughter’s photo. Her lips trembled into a small, sad smile as tears rolled down her cheeks.

She kissed the photo softly. “I’m sorry for being a bad mother,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

Her tears kept falling. No matter how much she tried to hold them back, they wouldn’t stop.

“Are you consoling a ghost?”

A deep voice came suddenly from behind her.

Layla froze. Her heart skipped several beats. The blood drained from her face.

For a second, she felt her soul leave her body…. then she screamed.

“Ahhhhhhhhh!”

Who could it be? Her thoughts spiraled in panic.