All Chapters of THE BILLIONAIRE'S BEAUTIFUL MARIONETTE : Chapter 41 - Chapter 49

49 Chapters

Fun texts and a call

Lucas's pov The fact that Lucia and I were texting like high schoolers made me feel like a sense of deja Vu.I definitely didn't expect her to be so…teasy?.She was a fun texter honestly.I was comfortable in my seat. I went through our chats with a smile on my face.It felt like a big weight was lifted from my shoulders as my fingers shuffled between texts. Her messages were teasing, light and playful. A stark contrast to the woman who was chewing me out a few nights ago, which I was grateful for.I took a deep breath then let it out, the smile plastered on my face returning quickly once more. So this is what progress looked like in real time.I typed my reply and set the phone down, feeling like I just won world war three.“She didn't toss my gifts out the window.” I muttered to myself.“In fact she's texting without malice.”I felt so good about this.My thoughts were interrupted with a familiar knock,then in came Adrian.Sometimes he forgets his manners and just lets himself in…t

Last Updated : 2026-01-02

Toughest challenge

Lucas's pov The call with my mother yesterday left me positively rattled up and I guess I was acting weird.Very weird.I confirmed it the second Lucia walked into the living room and looked at me,her eyes narrowing ever so slightly as she stared me down. I left my study to get some air after that damned call and then I found myself by the huge window in the living room…apparently that was a new habit I'd picked up, pretending to read a boring article on my phone while my mind was racing in all directions.“Lucas,are you okay?”Lucia's voice came slowly,“Or is whatever you're doing on your phone so interesting?”.I stiffened.“Well, no,”I said quicker than I'd liked.“I'm just thinking.”She made a humming sound that carried notes of suspicion and mild amusement.“Well, you sure think in a weird way. You nearly fell on your face this morning too.”That was true and painfully embarrassing.I turned to face her, trying to put on a composed mask as I did.“I just had a long night is a

Last Updated : 2026-01-03

Mommy dearest

Lucas's povThe morning air felt weirdly heavy. Even the bunny seemed to sense that everything was tense as she hopped cautiously for a bit before circling my ankle. I kept watching the clock,every minute feeling like agony as I couldn't delay the inevitable.When the doorbell finally rang,I felt my heart lurch from within. I brushed my hand through my hair,my nerves in overdrive as I straightened my posture, readying myself as I muttered under my breath.“Be normal,Lucas. That's all you have to be today. She's your mom…she doesn't bite.”Adrian laughed as he overheard me, adjusting his glasses.“Normal? In front of your dragoness mother? Well, good luck to you sir”“Shut up,” I said,exasperated. I was already feeling the pressure before she stepped in.Then the door swung open revealing my mother. Simona Moretti,looking as elegant and immaculate as always with sharp, unreadable eyes that assessed everything with shrewdness. Every bit the woman who could command boardrooms and crush e

Last Updated : 2026-01-06

unseen challenges

Lucas's pov There was still quite a bit of tension in the room even as my mother had dropped her guard and was reclined on the couch in the middle of the living room, reading a book she'd pulled from her bag after her intense scrutiny of my interior.Then like a queen overlooking her unruly court, her gaze fixed back onto Lucia but she didn't cower or flinch. Instead her back straightened as she met my mother's gaze, eye to eye but on the other side,I just watched all this play out like a deer in headlights.Mother's lips revealed another sharp smile before she spoke.“The word around is that you used to be a ballerina,” she drawled,voice lilting but clear.“And your little career ended a little too suddenly…mentally unstable,they said…bowed out of the stage like a dying ember.”“That's a hard thing to go through but as your luck would have it, you're now married to my son who shoulders things that are much more than meets the eye…you should know,little girl,that this kind of life wo

Last Updated : 2026-01-10

Bunny parents

Lucas's pov As soon as my mother left and the door clicked shut behind her,the tension evaporated and I could finally breathe better.I found myself going towards the alcohol cabinet and poured a glass of bourbon for the nerves, welcoming the burn in my throat as the liquor worked its magic from within.All the mental gymnastics from fending off her sharp words and piercing gaze and trying not to crack under pressure had left me needing more than a few more seconds to gather myself.Lucia,ever composed and all smiles, rested on a couch looking like she might tease me all over again. Her smile was subtle but it did things to me that I wouldn't ever admit aloud.“I've honestly never seen you look so nervous before. It was hilarious and refreshing. Good to know that something fazes you at least.”She teased, using her arm to prop up her chin on the armrest.“Lucia,I would appreciate it if you laid off on the teasing.”I groaned.“She really makes it a mini battle to relax around her.”L

Last Updated : 2026-01-20

public fire

Lucas's pov I was getting used to a rare moment of peace this morning as the house was calm and bright with the sun's early glow, the conversation with Lucia around our expectant bunny replaying in my mind as I smiled at the memory. I took another sip of my Belgian coffee and I continued to reminisce happily…she really did love that bunny..Then I received a text which drew my attention.I swiped my phone in a routine manner expecting the usual work text or emails. Instead,I felt a sudden surge of anger when I saw it.A boldened headline on some tabloidsMatt Richards excited that billionaire mogul Lucas has found a wife.Matt was undoubtedly all over this…Lucia's ex-husband and my most recent adversary. He'd made her life hell, using her under the guise of building her career and then somehow taking her out cleanly from the ballet scene while putting her on blast in front of the whole world - all for his sick, twisted amusement.I scanned through the article.. Matt's statement seem

Last Updated : 2026-02-02

desire beyond the contract

Lucas's pov Matt always preferred sneak attacks.If he felt coming at you head on wasn't going to cut it,he went for your foundations - allies, your credibility and social standing.. your livelihood too. So when Adrian barged into my office with that look on a Monday morning,I already knew.“Now,as you probably know,” Adrian started, dropping his tablet onto my desk,“It's Matt and No it's not a coincidence...at all.”I braced myself as I leaned back, folding my arms slowly.“What did he do this time?”.“Four investors,” Adrian said.“Three long-term, one recent. All reconsidering their stance with us out of the blue. And one huge logistics client just delayed renewing their contract and guess who had a private meeting with their board yesterday?”.I exhaled through my nose. Yup, there it was. His onslaught in full throttle behind whatever bullshit he sold to the media earlier.Matt Richards didn't make too much noise. He just played his cards ruthlessly.“A hostile takeover?” I murm

Last Updated : 2026-02-07

Biggest Mistake

Lucia's pov I suddenly began to take notice of how close I was sitting next to Lucas.Not in a panicky, dramatic way…just slow, quiet awareness.Somehow we'd shifted closer than earlier and now,our shoulders were touching slightly every time he lifted his spoon and that small, seemingly insignificant action sent strange tingles through me that I tried my hardest to ignore.He wasn't paying attention to me which I was thankful for or maybe he was…I could never tell when it came to Lucas.He kept eating the mint chocolate ice cream I'd chosen for him casually…I guessed sitting so close together didn't bother him at all.Meanwhile,I suddenly became hyper aware of everything - the rhythmic movement of his hands,the scrape of his spoon against the ceramic bowl…even the steady rhythm of his breathing next to me.Totally ridiculous…I huffed as I refocussed on my own red velvet ice cream, taking another bite to seem as unbothered as he was. The sweetness grounded my thoughts a little bit bu

Last Updated : 2026-02-08

love confession

Lucia's pov Falling for Lucas was something that shouldn't be happening but here I was breaking the unspoken rule of a contract marriage.I didn't even consider it…I thought I was immune especially after things with Matt but somehow it was happening and I couldn't seem to stop. The realization sat heavy in my chest long after my ice cream had turned into a puddle of dissolved milky sugar and the quiet between us was stretching into something softer, deeper and a little too real for a marriage that was a desperate arrangement at best and supposedly no feelings.I focused again for the upteenth time on my bowl, scared that if I took too many glances at him,he would read me through and through…face to mind. Because this or rather what it was becoming was forbidden territory.Not just for my heart but for the fragile peace we're building. I finally set my bowl down carefully on the floor, buying myself and extra few seconds to collect myself again…. gather my thoughts and such.“Lucia.”

Last Updated : 2026-02-12

1 2 3 4 5

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP