Chapter 11: The Choice

The door clicked shut behind Helena, leaving a suffocating silence in the hospital room.

I stood frozen, my heart hammering against my ribs. The man I had just confessed my love to was now being stripped of his entire empire. And it was all because of me.

Lucian sat up in the hospital bed, ignoring the blood seeping through his bandages. His face was a mask of pure, murderous rage.

"Vivienne," he growled, his voice vibrating with a terrifying hatred. "She planned this. She orchestrated this entire takeover."

"Lucian, you need to lie down," I urged, rushing to his side. I placed my hands on his chest, trying to push him back against the pillows. "You're going to tear your stitches."

He grabbed my wrists, his grip surprisingly strong for a man who had just lost buckets of blood. His gray eyes locked onto mine, blazing with a desperate, possessive fire.

"You are the only thing that matters," he rasped. "Do you hear me, Seraphina? The company, the money, the board... they can all burn. But I will not let them touch you."

Tears pricked the back of my eyes. "I'm not going anywhere."

Before he could answer, the door swung open.

The scent of expensive perfume hit me before I saw her. Vivienne Prescott walked into the room, flanked by two massive bodyguards in black suits. She was wearing a tight, crimson power suit and a smile that could freeze hell over.

"Hello, darling," Vivienne purred, her eyes sweeping over Lucian's bandaged chest with fake sympathy. "You look terrible. Hospital gowns really do nothing for your figure."

"Get out," Lucian snarled.

"Ah, ah, ah," Vivienne tutted, holding up a manila folder. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. As the newly appointed temporary CEO, I have the power to have you escorted into a psychiatric hold if you cause a scene."

Lucian froze. His jaw was tight, a muscle ticking violently in his cheek. I could feel the rage radiating off him in waves.

"What do you want, Vivienne?" I asked, stepping in front of Lucian protectively.

Vivienne's cruel eyes landed on me. "Oh, the little wife speaks. How cute. I want you gone, sweetheart. I want you out of his bed and out of his life by the end of the day."

"She's not going anywhere," Lucian said coldly.

"Think carefully, Lucian," Vivienne warned, taking a step closer to the bed. "The board is already looking for an excuse to vote you out permanently. If you stay married to this... nobody... you lose everything. Your legacy. Your father's company."

"Then I lose it," Lucian said, his voice echoing with absolute finality.

Vivienne's smile faltered. The cold mask slipped, revealing the jealous, bitter woman underneath.

"Fine," Vivienne snapped. "If you want to play the noble hero, I'll give you a reality check."

She opened her folder and pulled out a small, black tape recorder.

"I found this in your penthouse," Vivienne said, her eyes glinting with malice. "I thought you might want to hear what your precious little wife has been up to."

My blood ran cold. "What are you talking about?"

Vivienne pressed play.

The room was suddenly filled with a voice. My voice.

"I'm doing exactly what you asked, Julian. Once I get the ten million dollars from Black, I'm leaving him. It's just a matter of time before I have him wrapped around my finger."

The tape clicked off.

I couldn't breathe. My entire body went numb.

"That's a lie!" I screamed, my voice cracking. "I never said that! She edited it!"

I spun around to face Lucian.

He was completely still. His gray eyes were unreadable.

"Lucian, please," I begged, grabbing his hand. "You have to believe me!"

Lucian slowly pulled his hand out of my grip. The rejection felt like a physical blow.

He looked at Vivienne.

"Get out," he whispered.

Vivienne smiled. "Gladly. I'll give you some time to process."

She turned and walked out, her bodyguards following her. The door clicked shut.

I stood there, tears streaming down my face, waiting for him to yell at me. To throw me out.

Instead, Lucian reached out and grabbed my waist. He yanked me onto the hospital bed, pulling me flush against his chest.

"I don't care," he growled, his lips crashing down on mine.

I gasped against his mouth. He kissed me with a desperate, furious hunger, as if he was trying to consume me. His hands tangled in my hair, pulling my head back.

"You heard the tape," I sobbed against his lips. "You think I'm a liar."

"I think I don't care if you are," he said, his voice rough and possessive. He kissed down my neck, biting the sensitive skin. "I don't care if you're using me for my money. I don't care if you're working with Julian. You are mine, Seraphina. And I will kill anyone who tries to take you from me."

"I'm not using you," I cried. "I love you."

He pulled back, his gray eyes blazing.

"Then prove it," he whispered.

He grabbed the hem of my shirt and ripped it open. I gasped, my back arching as his mouth found my skin. The heart monitor beside the bed started beeping frantically.

I didn't care. I grabbed his face and kissed him again, pouring all my love, my fear, and my desperation into it.

But before things could go any further, the hospital room door burst open.

"Police! Hands where I can see them!"

I screamed, scrambling off Lucian's lap.

Three officers rushed into the room, their guns drawn.

"Lucian Black," the lead officer said, his voice stern. "You are under arrest for the attempted murder of your sister, Elena Black."

Lucian froze. His eyes widened in pure shock.

"What?" he breathed.

"Elena is in the ICU," the officer said. "And she has named you as the person who planted the bomb."