THE DE LUCAN DYNASTY

pte

la Mo

goddamn pape

across from me, his expression colder than t

"Nik, it's late. We need to leave for your mom's birthday." I

papers." A lump rose in my throat. "Why? What did

e. I want you out by tomorrow. "Each word was a dagger. "You're... leaving me?"

."I searched his face for any sign of the man I loved, but he was gone. The man

ea slipped from my lips

another word, leaving me stand

y tears and glanced at the screen-Mother-in

ly, forcing my v

r. I saw your

you here yet?" I clenched the phone tightly, her impatience grating against my already fragile n

he thi

inutes!" she snapped, cutting me off before I could explain

till echoed in my mind, sharp and impatient, as if I were nothin

ble. The memories rushed in, uninvited. It wasn't the first time Nikolai's mother tr

en me a sliver of hope. It'll get better, I had told myself back then. She just needs time to know me. But she never did. Every family dinner, every gathering, every interaction-it was always the s

ybe, just maybe, I'd get a chance to confront Nikolai about everything. Dragging myself to the bathroom, I stepped under the shower, the hot water cascading over me. My tears fell

dy. I chose a simple dress and dabbed on the barest hint of

me. My once-bright eyes now looked dull, lifel

and swiped at the corners of my eyes. No more

ts way to the surface. I forced myself to stand. Straightening my shoulders, I took

uld be filled with fake smiles, bitter memories, and burie

my mind, each one darker than the last. By the time I pulled up to the sprawlin

rves. The house was stunning, draped in extravagant decorations for his mother's birthday. The ch

voice rang out, sharp and deman

ready locked on me. Her presence was as commanding as e

l at the office, handling some business

ng in obvious disapproval. "A

smissal stung, but it wasn't unexpected. A waiter approached, holding a tray of champagne. I reach

d sharply. The waiter froze,

on cold. "Maybe you should eat less instead.

n, but I kept my composure. Not h

he pressed, her tone dripping with disdain. "You've

a,

ight of her judgment pressed down on me, and just as I w

I'm

urned toward the entrance, mine i

y heart lifted-

way that spoke of intimacy. They entered as a pair, their presence commanding the room as if the world revolved around them. My brea

carrying no warmth, no acknowledgment of the

added, "Meet Alessia-my fiancée." My world t