Heir Of Deception のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 21 - チャプター 30

Lucien’s eyes drifted to the mess I made on the floor, and then his eyes did a quick scan on my body, probably checking if I’m hurt. He started walking towards me when his eyes zeroed in on the picture clutched in hand, he stopped mid stride and narrowed his eyes.“Where did you get that from, Aria?” His voice was sharp and cold, almost detached.My eyes found his, “Do you know my mother?”Lucien didn’t say anything, his eyes held so much fire, I feared they might burn me but it was clear as anything, Lucien knew my mother. Not only that, they had been close if I’m judging by the picture and the way his jaw had gone tight. What could have happened between them to cause such animosity?“She came here earlier, you know.” I smiled sadly at him. “After twenty three years, she told me she missed me so much.” and then I let out a humorless laughter, “Do you know the painful part? I’ve always thought about meeting my mother, and ask her why she didn’t love me enough, why she was so happy lea

Mike picked up on the second ring, which meant he had already seen the news. Mike never answered on the second ring unless he already knew the world was ending.“Okay, I’ve read it twice, and I have several thoughts, the first being that your mother has the legal instincts of a woman who’s been planning this for a decade,” he said, skipping hello entirely. “The second being that I can’t wait for us to destroy her together. I’m channeling my inner scorched-earth television lawyer.”“Mike.”“I’m a corporate lawyer in crisis mode, Aria, let me have my moment.” I heard keys clicking somewhere on his end, fast and sharp. “Okay. Walk me through it. She’s claiming an undissolved marriage to your father. Do you have any reason to think that’s even possible? Any record of a wedding, a certificate, anything?”“I don’t know.” The admission sat strange in my mouth. Twenty-three years as Sebastian Valen’s daughter, and I realized, with a small lurch, that I had no idea if my parents had ever actua

"You," I said, leaning back in the booth like I hadn't spent the last ten minutes threatening to fight my best friend over a diner counter. "Small world.""Small town, actually." She pulled a notepad from her apron pocket, though something told me she didn't need it. "I didn't know you and Sebastian knew each other.""Unfortunately.""I heard that too!" Sebastian called from the register, not even looking up.Evelyn laughed, and underneath it I caught something else: a flicker of tension in her shoulders, the stance of someone who had learned always to be ready for something bad to happen. I knew that stance. I'd worn it myself in rooms my father owned. "So. What'll it be, Lucien?""Whatever you recommend. Surprise me.""Bold move, trusting the new girl.""I like bold."She rolled her eyes, but she was fighting a smile when she did it, and she wrote something on her pad and walked off toward the kitchen. I watched her go, not the way you watch a pretty girl. I noticed her shoulders s

After Evelyn left, everything seemed to quiet down a little. I couldn’t bring myself to tell Sebastian about the reason we drifted apart when he asked me. I told him we just drifted apart. He didn't seem to buy it, but he didn't press further. Evelyn was lonely. If she couldn’t have me by her side, at least she had Sebastian. Meanwhile, my relationship with Daphne blossomed with each passing day. My father couldn't be happier which is quite upsetting if I'm being honest. The man has been talking about our wedding dates after we’ve barely been together for three months. Three months, and we were still going strong. Then Evelyn started spending more time with Sebastian. At first, I thought nothing of it. They'd always been friends, and I was relieved she seemed to be moving on. I wanted her to find someone who would make her happy, even if that someone wasn't me. I just never imagined that someone would be my best friend. One afternoon, Sebastian showed up at my apartment

For a moment, we sat in silence.I stared at Lucien, trying to reconcile the man sitting in front of me with the young man who had once trusted my mother enough to consider her a sister.She had ruined three lives and gotten away with it. That was what made me angriest. She had destroyed everything the first time and walked away without consequences. Now she was back, ready to ruin lives all over again.I pulled out my phone.I wouldn't let her have her way. Not this time.Lucien's eyes followed the movement. “What are you doing?”“Calling my ace.”“Who?”“Asher.”I scrolled through my contacts and pressed his number. He answered on the first ring.“Little boss.” His familiar, cocky voice came through the speaker. “If this is about the office, I'd like to remind you that I'm still waiting for my very generous working conditions to be improved.”I rolled my eyes. “Do you ever get tired of hearing yourself talk?”“Not particularly. It's one of my most charming qualities.”I couldn't see