LOGINLucien’s POV As the door shut behind Nadia, I picked up the remote and pressed a button, lowering the glass blinds again. I didn’t want anyone outside getting curious about the glass blinds.. I placed the remote on the desk and turned towards my visitors. “So, to what do I owe this visit this afternoon?” Daniel was the first to speak. “Well, with Victoria’s unexpected return to New York, she has a request, and I think you should hear her out. It might even be beneficial to the Mr. Bennett property development project.” I gave him an amused look. “What a loving brother you are.” “Well, you could say that.” Daniel smiled, glancing at his sister. “I’m just glad she’s back. The Hayes house has been quite lonely without her.” Victoria blushed, covering her mouth as she laughed softly. I shook my head, amused by their exchange. “Well, I’ll leave you two to it.” Daniel gave me a nod before heading towards the door. I watched him leave, and once the door closed, my attention returned
Nadia’s POV By the time I arrived at the office, Lucien’s glass blinds were still down. I had two reports to submit to him, but he hadn’t sent his usual message asking me to bring them to his office. I sat at my desk for a while, going through a few emails, but eventually decided I couldn’t keep putting it off. I gathered the reports and stood up, straightening my skirt, which sat just above my knees. After a brief hesitation, I walked towards his office. I knocked before pushing the glass door open. I barely expected to hear a response anyway, considering how difficult it was to hear anything from outside when the blinds were down. Lucien was standing on the other side of his office, facing the city with his hands tucked into his pockets. “Sir, the reports are ready,” I announced, walking towards his desk. I placed the documents neatly on top before turning to leave. “Nadia.” I paused. Slowly, I turned around. “Sir?” “You can drop the formality when we’re alone.” I watch
NADIA’s POV I remained where Lucien had left me, staring at the staircase long after his footsteps had disappeared. I could still feel his hands around my waist and the warmth of his lips against mine. The kiss had happened so suddenly that I hadn’t even had time to understand what was going on before he pulled me closer. I touched my lips, slowly running my fingers over them. He had kissed me. Lucien Loreto, my boss, my husband and the most difficult man I had ever met, had just kissed me. And I had kissed him back. That was the part I couldn’t seem to get out of my head. I had been caught off guard, completely surprised by his sudden move, but somewhere between the shock and the kiss, I had responded to him. I hadn’t pushed him away. In fact, for a brief moment, I had wanted him to continue. My cheeks warmed at the thought. What was wrong with me? I glanced towards the staircase, wondering whether I should go after him. He had apologised and said he would sleep in the gues
LUCIEN’s POV The drive back to the mansion was quiet. Nadia had just ended her call with Maya and placed her phone on her lap. She turned towards the window, watching the city lights pass by. I glanced at her a few times, hoping she would say something, but she remained quiet. I couldn’t blame her. I hadn’t exactly been talkative either. My mind kept returning to what had happened at the gala. More specifically, the moment I had taken Nadia away from Victoria. She had asked me a question while we were leaving. I hadn’t answered her. At the time, I hadn’t thought much of it. I didn’t want to stay there while Victoria kept commenting on how much they both looked alike. But now, sitting beside Nadia in the car, I couldn’t help wondering what she had made of my reaction. Had she assumed there was something between Victoria and me? Was she curious about our past? Or was she simply annoyed that I had interrupted her conversation and refused to explain myself? I glanced at her again
Nadia’s POV When we returned downstairs, the gala was still in full swing. Music filled the hall, and guests were scattered across the room, chatting and enjoying themselves. Daniel spotted us almost immediately and walked over. “Finally! I was beginning to think you two had decided to spend the rest of the evening upstairs.” Lucien gave him a look. “You called me down because you couldn’t handle a few business discussions?” “Don’t flatter yourself. I handled them just fine. Bennett is waiting for you, though.” “I’ll speak with him shortly.” Daniel shook his head, then turned to me. “How are you enjoying the evening, Nadia?” “It’s been interesting so far.” “Interesting?” He chuckled. “I hope that’s a good thing.” “That depends on how the rest of the evening goes.” Before he could respond, Gina’s voice interrupted us. “Lucien, look who came!” I turned towards the entrance and noticed a woman approaching. She wore a beautiful silver evening gown, her dark hair falling in sof
The elevator doors opened directly into the penthouse, and I stepped aside to let Nadia walk in first. She stopped to admire the view through the floor-to-ceiling windows before turning to look at me. “Wow… how many properties do you actually own?” “Enough.” She shook her head. “You make it impossible to have a normal conversation with you.” I ignored her comment and loosened my tie. “I barely come here. I prefer the estate.” “Then why keep a penthouse you hardly use?” “Because I can afford it.” She gave me an unimpressed look before wandering towards the shelves along the far side of the living room. I took out my phone to check the messages Uncle Vincent had sent me. I was halfway through replying when Nadia’s voice made me look up. “Is she…?” She was holding a framed photograph, staring at it with a strange expression. I immediately recognised the picture. Victoria. We had been younger when it was taken. She stood beside me with her arms around my waist,







