Secret Wife, Real Billionaire

Chapter 229 Every Year Then

&

+2 Bonus

When Lucien’s gaze landed on her–steady, unshaken–Kaia felt an unexpected wave of calm wash over her.

“Here,” he said gently, “just relax. Take your time getting your posture right. Keep your toes steady.”

There was something about his voice–low, reassuring, magnetic.

In that moment, all Kaia wanted was to let herself fall completely, to stop holding back.

“Now slowly let go of the rope,” Lucien added. “Don’t worry about anything else, honey. Just keep your eyes on me.”

Little by little, Kaia’s heartbeat settled. She loosened her grip, the wind rushing past her ears, the sharp scent of salt in the air.

For the first time, freedom felt real–something she could touch, taste, breathe,

They surfed until the sun melted into the horizon,

When they finally came to shore, Kaia was beaming,

“I’m definitely coming back tomorrow,” she said, clapping her hands in delight.

1/8

12:05

Chapter 229 Every Year Then

+2 Bonus

“I didn’t think surfing would be this fun. Did you do this a lot when you were overseas?”

Lucien nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“Yeah. When I’m out there, it’s like the waves just carry everything away. All the noise, the pressure… gone.”

He chuckled quietly, his thumb trailing along the edge of his board. Those were the years he spent longing for her–close in heart, but always just out of reach.

Back on shore, Kaia finally picked up her phone.

“Huh. That’s weird,” she muttered. “I texted Alyssa around noon, and she still hasn’t replied.”

Lucien shrugged. “Maybe they’re out having fun too.”

He wasn’t the least bit worried.

After all, it’s not like Landon was going to lose Alyssa.

And Landon? He had no plans of losing her–he was far too busy wearing her out in bed,

That evening, instead of heading back to their room, Lucien pulled Kaia onto a beach chair with him.

2/8

12:06

Every

+2 Bonus

above them, brilliant and endless. Kaia reached up, as if she could touch

“Lucien, let’s come here

felt like she had been running

She could finally slow down and just enjoy this quiet, peaceful moment for herself

year, then,” Lucien replied with a smile, his voice filled with unmistakable tenderness. He loved the sound of the words “every year“, and he felt like he could keep bringing her here for

fluttered. She turned her head

always say yes to me?

voice held a quiet stubbornness, like she already knew the answer

got married, Lucien rarely said the words “I like you”

he didn’t

2/0

229 Every Year

every quiet moment–they all spoke louder

because Kaia had been

+2 Bonus

because she knew exactly what it

she didn’t dare

it would all turn out to be

maybe it was just her,

no one there to

determined she was to get an answer, Lucien glanced sideways and caught the subtle flush

gentle voice carried a trace

soft to notice.

slow and sure, not the

love you. That little rose I once liked… she’s all grown up

229 Every Year

heart skipped a

+3

+2 Bonus

up, her eyes fixed on his face so close to hers, feeling as if an invisible thread

her voice slightly strained as she asked,

smile, Lucien replied, “The first time I

answer took the air right

time? How could it be the

was still alive, the Graves

practice, it was almost always Kimberly whom Tobias brought to Graves Manor. Kaia? She’d always felt like an

as Kaia could remember, the first time she

could it have been the first time? I

time,

5/8

12:06

229 Every Year

+2 Bonus

honey. Let’s head back.

and Kaia

didn’t want to talk, she wouldn’t get a single word out

*****