Braelyn’s POV
I loved Lucien Volkov, the black sheep of the Volkov family. It was sothing I could never admit out loud.
I stared into Lucien’s eyes as the cold night air curled around us in the small hospital garden.
The world had shrunk to just this space. Just this mont.
A dim lamp above us cast soft golden light over his face, catching in his hazel eyes and turning them molten. The air slled faintly of damp grass and night blooming flowers, but all I could really breathe in was his cologne wrapped around from his jacket.
My heartbeat slowed, like it was trying to warn instead of race toward him. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I wasn’t supposed to feel like this.
Love had never been part of the plan. After Raphael, I thought that part of had died, that I could never let soone in. But my foolish heart betrayed . How dare it ache for one man and yet flutter for another whom I should fear the most.
A man I never fully understood. A man capable of dismantling an empire piece by piece without losing sleep. A man who could be gentle with one mont and ruthless with the world the next.
A man who might still be using as a pawn from the start.
I forced a breath into my lungs and tilted my head slightly, letting a small knowing smile touch my lips. "Why are you here?" I asked lightly. "Don’t tell you ca to see your victim suffer."
Lucien’s mouth curved, amused. "What? I can’t visit a hospital?" he arched a brow at .
My eyes narrowed playfully. "You ca to see him, didn’t you?"
A quiet chuckle left his throat. "I’d never miss the chance," he said, his voice smooth as silk, "to see Raphael looking pathetic."
I shook my head, smiling despite myself. "You’re awful." I laughed even though I felt hollow. An electric tension stood between us.
"Mm," he humd. "I’ve been called worse." He shrugged, his gaze still fixed on with that intensity that made my toes curl.
"You’re a sadist," I added. "Coming to watch your victim suffer." He really was a pain. His eyes flickered. He didn’t feel ashad or bother denying it. He just nodded in acknowledgnt.
A helpless smile curled on my lips as I studied him, noticing how different he seed. The faint shadows under his eyes. His smile looked worn out. He looked like he hadn’t properly relaxed in weeks. He looked composed, elegant as always, but worn and frayed at the edges.
Lucien sighed. "Raphael isn’t the only reason I ca here," he admitted quietly.
My eyes narrowed at him.
His gaze remained steady. "I also ca for you."
My heart skipped a traitorous beat it shouldn’t have.
"I was curious how you were taking things, and from what I see, you are regretting it," he mused, then gently grabbed my chin.
"Too bad I am not stopping anyti soon. This is just the beginning."
I sighed, trying to ignore the tingling sensation from his touch and the way my stomach heated up. "You look tired," I said, trying to steer the conversation to sothing safer.
"Occupational hazard," he replied with a shrug, but sothing shifted in his gaze.
"This revenge..." I hesitated, then pushed on. "Is it really for your mother? Or is it just about making Raphael suffer?"
Lucien stepped closer, closing the distance completely. Not enough to touch. Just enough that my breath hitched at the proximity.
He leaned down slightly, his lips near my ear, his voice dropping to a whisper that slid down my spine.
"This revenge is everything, dear Viper," he murmured, pressing a light kiss to the tip of my ear. A chill ran through that had nothing to do with the cold.
"Only when Raphael is destroyed," he continued softly, "when the Volkov family is scrambling to breathe, only then can I take what I want."
My fingers curled inside the sleeves of his jacket. "And what is that?"
He pulled back just enough to look at . For a second, the world disappeared again.
"You’ll find out soon," he said calmly. His gaze flickered to his wristwatch.
I gulped. "I have to go in. I can’t stay out for long," I blurted, and before he could say anything, I practically fled.
It was just an excuse. I had grown too aware of his presence. I couldn’t stand there any longer. Lucien didn’t move. He just stared at my retreating back.
The night passed, and Lucien didn’t co to Raphael’s room. Raphael stayed the night at the hospital, but he was discharged the next day since his condition wasn’t serious. He just needed rest.
Natalia stared at like she wanted to skin , but I had grown a thick skin.
---
Raphael had to take leave from work at such a bad ti. Ronan made sure his workload was reduced, but he still worked from his study. At least he was sleeping now.
I sat nervously in my chair, holding my milkshake tightly as I kept glancing at the glass door, waiting for soone to arrive.
The store bell rang, and my eyes instantly lit up when I saw Genny’s familiar figure walk in. She strode toward my table and took a seat.
"Sorry I’m late. I had to drop Alora at Joey’s place," she inford , leaving stunned. When did she and Joey start sharing custody? A lot had been happening lately, and we hadn’t spoken in a while.
I had given her an ergency call because I needed to talk to soone. Genny sat down and reached for my hand. Her touch felt warm.
"You look like you have a lot to say. I heard the company is having issues," she said calmly.
I gulped, then looked up at her. "I need your help, Genny. More like your opinion. I am in a very shitty situation."
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