جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 40

I thought that after yesterday's long day, there would be no more problems today.But apparently I was wrong.I was grateful to have gotten through the morning peacefully, without any drama from the Blackwood family, and I had also re-evaluated my feelings for Lucian to maintain my sanity.I did well.I didn't even bat an eye when Ethan took the day off, saying that he had a fever. I didn't blame him because he'd been working so hard.I didn't even ask for a replacement driver and just went to the company alone.Everything was going smoothly until Nivara ruined it.As soon as I entered my office, Nivara was already there, sitting shamelessly at my desk."Who let you in?" I asked coldly.Nivara ignored my question, instead leaning back in her chair and looking around the room."It must be nice to be you—living in a luxurious house, working in a comfortable office, and having Lucian Blackwood as your husband," said Nivara, ignoring my presence.I sighed softly. I had lost control yester

Selene Cole's POVI must be completely insane."Selene?"Damian's voice snapped me back to reality."Are you disappointed in me?" he asked again, this time more softly, as if he were prepared for whatever answer I might give."Why should I be disappointed?" I asked back, even though my voice sounded calmer than my thoughts."Lucian said I'd gotten a woman pregnant," Damian said without beating around the bush. "I met with Nivara. She said she's carrying my child. She admitted she said it on purpose in front of Lucian so my family would know. I'm being honest with you—Nivara and I have broken up. I think she recklessly claimed she was pregnant so she could pressure me not to leave her. She knows my weakness. I can't go against my family."I stayed silent.Was that really true? I thought only Lucian saw things that way, I thought Damian was more free in his actions.Unlike Lucian, who had to consider every possibility to avoid clashing with his family. I thought Damian was the golden ch

Lucian Blackwood's POVI didn't sleep all night.Not because I was tired—I was too used to living without proper sleep—but because, for the first time, my mind was filled with something I couldn't control.Someone's heartbeat.Not mine.Selene's.I remembered it too clearly. Too close. Too real.That's why I left.If I had stayed in that room one second longer, I would have made a mistake I couldn't take back.And I never let mistakes become a habit.That morning, I arrived earlier than usual. The office was still empty when I closed my door and locked away everything I didn't need to think about.Contracts.Numbers.Reports.Things that couldn't betray me.There was a knock at the door.The only person who dared to knock without an appointment."Come in," I said.Selene stood in the doorway.Her face was calm, too calm for someone who had almost made me forget who I was the night before."Do you have time?" she asked.I nodded briefly. "Five minutes."She came in and closed the door.

Upon arriving at the Blackwood main house, it felt deserted. Not empty—but eerily quiet, in an overly orderly way. The main building stretched out, flanked by north and south wings separated by a stone garden and a long glass corridor. Not to mention the other buildings, also grandly constructed—residences of Mr. Arthur's children, grandchildren, and in-laws."The north wing," said Damian, pointing to the shadier building.I immediately followed Damian as he headed toward the north building of the Blackwood estate. Uncle Jasper and Aunt Amira lived there. So did Lily.I had just opened my mouth when a girl appeared from behind the glass door.Her hair was shoulder-length, shiny black, with a small ribbon on the side of her head. She was about Noah's age. Her eyes were sharp—too sharp for a child her age—but her steps were hesitant as she approached."You're Selene, right?"Her voice was light, yet full of curiosity.I nodded, a little surprised. "Yes. Are you Lily?"She smiled briefly

Lucian came home as usual.There was no sound of propellers, no excessive noise. Just the roar of a car stopping in the driveway, then footsteps I knew all too well—followed by Ethan's lighter voice, always half a tone more relaxed than his master's.Noah turned first."Lucian."One word. No frills. No hesitation.I watched as Lucian paused for a moment before looking at Noah, then responding with a small nod. Not awkward. Not forced. Their relationship had been formed long before I had time to think about the consequences."I heard you're on school break," Lucian said.Noah nodded. "For now."A flat answer, but Lucian smiled slightly—a smile that only appeared when he was with Noah. A smile he never realized had an impact on the adults around him.I stood a little farther away, making sure to keep a safe distance. Not because I was afraid. Just because I knew my place now.Lucian turned to look at me. This time, longer. More aware. As if he was confirming something he hadn't even ask