Braelyn’s POV
A soft chuckle escaped my lips before I could stop it. Talking trash about Raphael felt liberating.
I patted Lucien’s back. "You know right now you are acting like a puppy.." I snickered.
He laughed, the soft chuckle vibrated against my ear in a way that sounded addictive. "Have you forgotten what I told you the day we t at the old estate?" He asked, pulling from my shoulders.
I blinked my head trying to figure out what it was. In the end, I could only give him a sheepish smile and quietly admitted.."I don’t rember. "
A familiar warm smile curved at the corners of his lips. He pinched my nose teasingly enough to make wince.
"Ouch." My hand rubbed my nose. The tender look in his eyes remained. It reminded of a ti Raphael stared at with the sa look.
"I told you I was a lost puppy who just found an owner." He answered. My heart skipped a beat. At this point, I couldn’t rember the number of tis he made my stomach flutter.
"I am yours Viper and soon I will make the whole world know as soon as that bastard signs the divorce agreent or we will find out between and him who has better lawyers.." It wasn’t the first ti he had professed his love to .
Loving Lucien was a risk I was ready to take. At this point, I had no control over it anymore.
"I hope it won’t take long.." I paused. "I hope you can manage this. I heard it affected the public shares," I added, my voice softer now.
He leaned in, pressing a slow kiss against my neck, his breath warm against my skin.
"I will. I knew this day would co eventually," he murmured. Then his tone shifted, turning lighter. "But I need motivation first."
I blinked, caught off guard. "What motivation?"
"A kiss," he said simply, a teasing glint returning to his eyes.
Heat rushed to my face instantly, and I lifted my hand to cover my mouth. "I have morning breath," I protested.
"I do not mind," he replied and before I could react, he caught my wrist gently and bit down on my fingers just enough to make wince.
"Lucien..." I snapped at him. That was all I managed before he closed the distance, stealing the kiss anyway. The familiar warmth of his lips pressed against mine swallowing whole. He nibbled softly suckling the edges of my lower lip, before his tongue slid into my mouth with a fiery intensity.
It was slow at first, then deeper, enough to leave slightly breathless as I leaned against him for support. By the ti he pulled back, my cheeks were flushed, and my thoughts felt scattered.
I took a mont to steady myself before speaking again. "How are you going to handle this?" I asked, my voice softer now but more serious.
Lucien’s expression shifted instantly. The playfulness disappeared, replaced by sothing sharp and focused.
"There is no point denying it," he said. "Most of it is true. Trying to argue will only make it worse."
My chest tightened. It was exactly as I had thought. "We really can’t use Alia?" I asked quietly.
He shook his head. " That is pointless. It will sound like an excuse. We have no solid proof of what happened between them before the open marriage. The public has already chosen a side."
I swallowed.
"And right now," he added, his voice lowering slightly, "we are the traitors."
That word landed heavily. My fingers curled slightly against his shirt as a dull ache settled in my chest.
"That sounds bad," I admitted.
Lucien studied for a mont before his expression softened just slightly. "Not really," he said calmly. His hand moved to my face briefly, brushing against my cheek.
"You should rest," he continued. "The baby is more important."
I hesitated, my gaze searching his face. His smile had now turned into sothing malicious. "I will handle this, personally."
**********
Lucien kept his word. Everything disappeared before the end of the day. Although New Horizon suffered damage, it wasn’t sothing he couldn’t handle.
New Horizon was able to successfully finish a contract they had with the Voss family. The very one he snatched from Raphael and Alia. The success improved New Horizon’s reputation and with Lucien’s identity out in the public, there was no need to hide.
He went all-in on Volkov Apex handling his plans personally. With the hidden support of the Voss and Orlov families, he was starting to suppress Raphael.
But due to recent developnts, he was barely at ho. His schedule was completely packed. I had suggested helping out but he shut down. He didn’t want the stress rubbing off on the baby..
Every night he returned exhausted he would just hold onto and trash-talk every annoying person he ca across. Whining that Raphael wanted to kill him with stress but he was just being a damn drama queen. Raphael was the one taking the worst damage.
But as a kind woman, I listened patiently
After being stuck at ho for days I finally decided to touch so grass. Alora’s birthday was coming up and Genny was taking her up to pick a dress.
It was a cloudy afternoon. Soft snowflakes were falling from the sky and Christmas was literally in the air. Every stall was covered in designs.
My car was parked in front of a famous Atelier where Alora’s custom-made dress was being commissioned. I was wearing loose clothes. Although my stomach was still flat. I felt comfortable.
The doors closed behind and as soon as I stepped out I was literally tackled down by a little blonde. I stumbled a few steps after Alora jumped into my arms. I didn’t even see her coming.
She was dressed in a cute pink coat grinning at showing her teeth which had lost a tooth at the front. "rry Christmas, Aunt Lynn. I missed you. " she bead.
I chuckled. "I missed you too Alora.."
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