All Chapters of THE BILLIONAIRE'S BEAUTIFUL MARIONETTE : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Lucia's pov The morning sky shone brighter than any I’d ever seen in weeks. Or maybe it was just me seeing things out of sheer happiness.Because today Sophia was coming home.I stood on the veranda of the penthouse,my hands shaky on the railings as I looked upon the sky some more. My pulse raced with every ticking second, anticipation filling me to the brim. Today wasn't about the complexities of a contract marriage, business mergers or what not, it was about her.“Adrian just checked in. The transport suv just left the airport two hours ago.” Lucas's calm voice sliced through the morning air.“An hour?” My voice rose and I could hear my own excitement.“It's probably less now,” he finished simply.“White empress hopped out from the living room, circling my feet as if she knew I was happy. I crouched down for a minute, scooping her into my arms as I felt her soft fur against my skin.“She's coming back, empress.” I whispered to her like she could understand. “She's really coming ba

Lucia's pov “Shit…”. I muttered as the contents of the letter threw me in for a loop. “This is no longer about survival, Lucia. She's back home now, your part to play will begin soon,be ready.” I went over it again and again. Looking past the neat and perfect handwriting to let the weight of the words settle in until I couldn't take it anymore…it looks like I won't be getting much sleep tonight. I knew being in this world would have its downsides but it still unnerved me. My whole life,every important choice and sacrifice had been for her and although Lucas had told me he wouldn't ask me to do more than what the contract required,his whole personality was about control and order…so I was sure he had something up his sleeve and I was going to find out. I binned the paper swiftly and marched straight down the hallway to his study. I found him there of course. Bent over his polished desk,pen gliding furiously against cheques and other papers I wouldn't even bother to unders

Lucas's pov The memory of her stare at the table still haunted my mind. That instant we were forced to lock eyes - quiet,deep and unrelenting - it played itself like music I couldn't switch off.I found my way out of the dining area first, pretending that it didn't bother me. That her silence didn't feel like an accusation I couldn't shake.I decided to let work make me forget all this briefly before dawn. It wasn't strange to me - work was always my top most escape from things. But for the first time, my own mansion didn't feel peaceful. It felt like someone had sucked the life out of it and left only the continuous ticking of the old clock to keep things entertaining.After the last three weeks’ board meeting, rumors had begun to spread like wildfire about my ‘settling down’. I didn't confirm or deny them- but I guessed that investors were always snooping around, poking their noses where they don't belong.Nothing stayed under wraps in this world for too long not even contracts sea

Lucas's pov The house had regained its unnerving silence again. Not the peaceful kind of course…this one had a sharper edge to it, like the air itself was a steel knife.For four days now, Lucia and I have been weaving around the silence like it was a living, breathing entity between us. Four days since that fight. Four days since I watched her run out of my study with tears in her eyes, remembering the undeniable pain on her face made me quite uncomfortable to say the least.She didn't even bother to care anymore at breakfast. She still showed up but she didn't really care..she'd just sit there with Sophia letting Sophia speak about the day's plans and smile sometimes.. but the smile wasn't genuine from what I saw. And it didn't help that every morning I'd catch myself waiting when I passed the hallways for seconds longer than I should…before walking away.Distance felt safer.. necessary even. It was less messy this way.I tried to remind myself constantly since this marriage began

Lucas's pov Me and Lucia rode home in silence. The hum of the engine filling the void that we both didn't bother to fill with words. She sat next to me,her poise maintained but rigid,her eyes on the city lights outside the tinted windows. The dull glow of the street lamps made her silhouette visible for a brief moment - a mixture of controlled defiance and tiredness.She hadn't spoken since we left the gala and honestly,I didn't think she would. She had done enough for one night, she held her own in front of those lions. She exuded a calm confidence that made most of those hot air investors approach her with caution. I'd almost forgotten that she was new to all of this.Almost.I removed my cufflinks (I hated wearing those things) staring at the road ahead as I swerved through the night. Against my better judgement, I took glances at Lucia, she looked calm but guarded…like she was processing everything this evening had been. Hell,I was too.When I pulled up at the entrance of the pen