The Wife You Never Wanted

The next morning, Lucia's phone buzzed nonstop.Half-asleep, she grabbed it—dozens of voice messages from Jared's mom.She tapped one without thinking, and the woman's anxious voice blasted through the room."Lucia, another month gone. Still no baby news?"I'm serious—you and Jared need to try harder. Even if it's exhausting at night, you must have a baby this year..."Lucia scrambled to mute it.Too late.She looked up—and Jared was already walking out of the bathroom.Jared froze mid-button, lips curling into a cold laugh."Wow, Lucia. Using my mom to drop hints first thing in the morning? That desperate, huh?"She went pale. "I didn't—"Before she could finish, he grabbed her chin, rough and sharp. His thumb and middle finger pinched her jaw while his index finger skimmed the curve of her throat."You didn't?" he sneered. "Then why are you still wearing THIS?"Lucia stiffened. She glanced down—still in last night's black lace nightgown.The sheer fabric clung to her sk

Before the doctor could finish, Lucia grabbed the test tubes and hurled them to the floor."I said I don't want to have his child."Her face was pale, but her eyes were stone cold."No matter what Jared paid you, I'll pay ten times more. Just don't tell him."The doctor freaked. "But... if Mr. Dawson asks—""Then wait till he does."She was done. If she was walking away, she'd burn every bridge on her way out.Lucia stared at the broken glass on the floor, a dull ache tightening in her chest.Once, she'd dreamed of having Jared's baby.Now?Her lips twisted into a bitter smile. She turned and walked out—never looking back.***Lucia checked herself out of the hospital on her own.Back home, the scent of Jared still clung to every room. It was suffocating.She needed air—needed space. So she headed to the hunting grounds.Back in Italvia, riding and hunting had been her escape. Khelmark didn't have much for that at first, but when Francesca found out, she bought a whole m

Lucia's hand tightened on the handle.She had saved him. How did Alice steal that too?Then came Alice's soft, shy voice."Jared only went after the white fox because of me. Saving you was the least I could do, but..."Her tone shifted—just a little darker."You didn't have to bring me a white fox to cheer me up. I know the truth... You've always loved Lucia. That's why you risked everything to save her from the kidnappers back then...""That's not true!" one of Jared's friends snapped, voice sharp. "That whole kidnapping? Jared planned it!""What?" Alice gasped.But Jared's buddies kept going."Yeah, Jared set the whole thing up to make the Lynches realize which of their daughters they love more. He paid people to stage the kidnapping, grabbed both you and Lucia.""That rescue stunt? Totally planned. He saved Lucia on purpose—played the hero so she'd fall for him and say yes to the marriage.""But don't stress, Alice. Jared only married her for the family deal—and to get re

Just like that, the heat vanished.On the way to the hospital, Lucia finally got the tea.Someone outed Alice online—not Michael and Joanne's real kid. Just a poser heiress.Even though the parents scrambled to explain, the leaker dropped a paternity test. Solid receipts.The internet? Lost its mind.Alice had over ten million followers. Her whole brand? Rich girl energy. Now she was exposed as a fraud, and people were pissed.The comments went feral. She'd never faced hate like this—and snapped. Tried to end it with poison.By the time they rolled up to the hospital, Jared had just wrapped a call with PR.He didn't move. Just turned to Lucia."Lucia." His tone was all command. "You need to go public. Say Alice is your sister."She let out a dry laugh. "Why would I?""Because it works better coming from you." He sounded fed up. "If I say it—or your parents—no one buys it. They'll think we're covering for her and feel bad for you. But if it's you, they'll believe it."She go

Same time—At the press conference.Jared, done waiting, tried Lucia's phone one last time.This time, all he got was an automated voice:"Sorry, the wireless customer you are calling is not available..."Did she shut off her phone?Jared's face darkened instantly.Michael and Joanne leaned in."Did you reach her?" Michael asked.Jared shook his head. Michael's jaw tightened.Joanne broke down. "Reporters are everywhere! If Lucia doesn't show, they'll believe Alice faked everything and Lucia's the real victim."She's unbelievable! Alice is in critical condition, and her own sister won't say a word!"What did we do to deserve such an ungrateful child?!"Michael pulled her into a side hug. "Relax. Lucia may've grown up in some broken-down mess with zero manners, but she's always clung to Jared."If he tells her to show, she'll show. No way she'd ever cross him."He sounded dead sure.But Jared froze.A few days ago, he might've believed that. Might've thought she'd come