Chapter 10

[ ARIA’S POV ]

My mother’s eyes lit up the second the boxes were brought into the living room. Gold-plated trays, expensive fabrics, sparkling jewelry, stacks of cash… the whole room suddenly looked like a luxury boutique.

She touched everything carefully, almost like she was scared it would vanish if she pressed too hard.

"Oh my God," she whispered, completely breathless. "Aria, look at the kind of man you married."

I just stood in the corner, my fingers digging into the fabric of my dress.

Lucas sat on the couch like a king who owned the whole world. Calm. Proud. Completely untouchable.

My mother practically ran to the kitchen herself something she had never done for anyone. She cooked a massive spread and served Lucas with the biggest smile I’d ever seen on her face.

"You are so welcome, my son," she said, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Our home is truly honored to have you."

I wanted to laugh, but it just felt bitter.

This was the same woman who never stood up for me, yet here she was, playing the perfect mother all because of money.

Lucas glanced at me for a split second before giving a polite nod. "Thank you, Mother."

Mother.

Hearing that word come out of his mouth felt completely wrong.

My mother sat down right next to him and just kept pouring out the praise.

"You’re too generous."

"You take such good care of my daughter."

"May God keep blessing your business."

I had to look away.

If only she knew.

If only she knew that the man she was worshipping had locked me up like an animal, starved me, and beaten me until I couldn't even stand.

But the money blinded her to everything.

Suddenly, Lucas turned his eyes to me.

"Aria."

My heart jumped into my throat. "Yes?"

"Why are you standing all the way over there like a stranger? Come sit down."

I walked over quietly and sat across from him. My mother watched us with this proud, beaming look, like we were some picture perfect couple.

Then, she leaned in with a sly smile. "So… when should I start expecting grandchildren?"

I nearly choked on my own breath.

Lucas paused for a brief second, a faint smirk catching the corner of his lips.

"Very soon," he said smoothly.

I stared at him, completely frozen.

Very soon?

Was he out of his mind?

My mother laughed happily, completely oblivious, while I sat there numb.

Lucas leaned across the space between us, his voice dropping to a whisper that only I could catch.

"Play along… unless you want your mother asking questions you can't answer."

A cold shiver went straight down my spine.

That man.

Even here. Even in my own mother’s house.

He still held all the cards.

The sky was already turning dark outside, and a cool evening breeze blew softly through the curtains. My mother was still smiling from ear to ear, practically beaming after spending the last hour praising Lucas for every single thing he did.

"You’re truly a blessing," she said warmly, walking us all the way to the front door. "Take good care of my daughter for me."

Lucas gave a calm nod. "I will."

I had to look away. The lies came out of his mouth so smoothly it made my stomach turn.

My mother pulled me into a quick hug, but as she did, she whispered right into my ear, "Stop looking so miserable and start acting like a good wife."

My chest tightened instantly.

Before I could even process the words, Lucas placed a firm hand on my waist, steering me toward the car. The guards rushed ahead to open the door for us. I climbed in quietly, and Lucas slid into the seat right next to me a second later. The car pulled out of my mother’s compound and drove off into the night.

The silence inside the car was heavy.

I just stared out the window, watching the familiar streets of my old neighborhood slowly fade away.

Then, Lucas broke the silence.

"You were trying to tell your mother something earlier."

My heart skipped a beat. I turned my head slowly to look at him. "What?"

His eyes were locked onto mine. "In the kitchen," he said, his voice completely level. "You looked like you wanted to say something."

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. "It was nothing."

Lucas let out a faint smirk, but his eyes stayed cold. "You’re a terrible liar, Aria."

Suddenly, the backseat felt way too small. I couldn't breathe. I looked back out the window, refusing to give him an answer.

After a few tense seconds, Lucas shifted closer to me. "Did she upset you?"

The weirdest part was that his voice actually sounded softer this time. But I knew better than to let my guard down around him.

"I’m fine," I replied quietly.

Lucas stared at my face for a long moment, studying me, before he finally leaned back against his seat.

Neither of us said another word for the rest of the ride. But deep down, I could feel the tension in the air. Lucas was plotting something. And whenever he got this quiet, it usually meant something terrible was about to happen.

The black car finally pulled into the mansion’s driveway. The massive iron gates shut slowly behind us, the heavy metallic clang echoing through the dark like a warning.

My stomach immediately knotted up.

We got out of the car as the guards stood at strict attention. The chilly night air hit my skin, but it did absolutely nothing to cool down the panic rising inside me.

Lucas calmly adjusted his watch before looking over at me.

"Come with me."

Just those three words were enough to make my heart start racing.

I followed him inside the house without a word. The moment we stepped through the doors, the maids instantly bowed their heads.

Elara was sitting in the living room, a glass of wine in her hand. The second she saw us walk in, her face soured.

Her eyes glued straight onto the expensive shopping bags the guards were carrying in behind us.

"Well," she said, forcing a fake smile. "Looks like someone really enjoyed her little family visit."

I kept my mouth shut.

Lucas walked right past her like she wasn't even there, but Elara wasn’t about to let it go.

"Did her greedy mother worship the ground you walked on?" she mocked.

Lucas stopped dead in his tracks.

The entire living room went dead silent.

Slowly, he turned his head to look at her. And for the first time all night, I saw pure irritation flash across his face.

"Elara," he said, his voice ice-cold. "Watch your mouth."

Her fake smile completely vanished. She clearly didn't see that coming.

"But Luca"

"I said enough."

Even the guards looked uncomfortable.

Elara’s face turned bright red with embarrassment and anger. She shot me a murderous glare before snapping to her feet.

"This is because of her, isn't it?" she hissed. "You’re actually defending her now?"

I held my breath, waiting for the explosion.

Lucas didn't even blink. "You’re making a scene over nothing."

Elara let out a bitter laugh. "Wow… unbelievable."

She turned her eyes to me, locking me in her sights. "You think you’ve won?" she asked quietly, her voice trembling with rage. "Don’t get comfortable, Aria."

With that, she turned on her heel and stormed upstairs.

The room went dead silent again. I stood there awkwardly, completely confused by what had just happened. Lucas almost never snapped at Elara. Never. But tonight was different.

Lucas finally looked over at me. "Go to your room," he said flatly.

I gave a quick nod and hurried up the stairs before anyone could change their mind.

But just as I reached my bedroom door, I heard heavy footsteps right behind me.

I froze.

Lucas stopped directly behind my back. Slowly, he leaned in closer, until I could feel his warm breath right against my ear.

"You looked surprised downstairs," he murmured.

I gripped the doorknob so hard my knuckles turned white. "You defended me," I whispered before I could stop myself.

A small, dangerous smirk crept onto his face.

"Nobody humiliates what belongs to me," he whispered. "Except me."

His words sent a violent chill straight down my spine.

I slowly turned around to look at him, but Lucas’s face was completely unreadable calm, controlled, and utterly terrifying.

My fingers started trembling against the doorknob. He noticed, of course. He noticed everything.

Lucas gently took hold of my wrist and pulled my hand away from the door.

"Look at you," he murmured, his voice incredibly soft. "Always so scared of me."

I forced myself to keep my mouth shut. Experience had taught me that whenever I answered him without thinking, it always ended badly for me.

His eyes scanned my face for what felt like an eternity. Then, unexpectedly, he lifted his hand and brushed a stray strand of hair away from my eyes.

"You should get some sleep early tonight," he said quietly.

I just stared at him, completely confused. No threats? No punishments? Nothing? It felt totally unnatural.

Lucas stepped back a bit. "Goodnight, Aria."

With that, he turned and walked away.

I stood there frozen on the spot, long after his footsteps faded down the hallway. Something felt completely off. Lucas being this calm was somehow way scarier than when he was angry.

I slowly slipped into my room, locked the door immediately, and leaned heavily against it. My mind was spinning, replaying everything that had happened today. My mother choosing money over her own daughter. Elara’s burning jealousy. Lucas actually defending me. None of it made any sense.

I changed into my pajamas and sat on the edge of the bed, trying to clear my head, when suddenly

There was a soft knock at the door.

My whole body went stiff. Who could it be at this time of night?

I walked over to the door carefully. "Who is it?" I asked, keeping my voice low.

"It’s me, ma’am," the head maid replied, sounding a bit nervous from the other side.

I cracked the door open slightly. The woman immediately lowered her head respectfully and held out a small tray. On it was warm tea, some medicine, and a few snacks.

I frowned, looking down at it. "I didn’t order this."

"The boss sent it," she answered quickly. "He said you barely touched your food at your mother’s house."

I stared at the tray, completely speechless. Lucas had noticed that too?

The maid hesitated for a second before adding, "And… he said you should stop crying so much. It gives you headaches."

My heart did a strange, uncomfortable flip. Before I could even say another word, the maid bowed and hurried away down the dark hall.

I slowly shut the door and looked down at the tray in my hands. My head was a complete mess. Because no matter how cruel Lucas could be… sometimes… he noticed the smallest things about me.