Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

Chapter 6

Natasha snorted, “Yeah, right. In a room full of people, she’s the only one weak enough to practically climb into my boyfriend’s arms.

“Lucas is such a saint, huh? Never hugs anyone else, just his future sister–in–law. If they hopped into bed, you’d probably blame bad lighting. Honestly, my heart’s had it—they’re a match made in a dumpster.”

“Natasha, you’re way off,” Lucas said, dropping Olivia’s arm the second her eyes hit him. Her words, lumping him with Olivia, stung hard.

“Way off?” Natasha smirked, sharp and cold. “Lucas, ever count how many times you’ve fed me that line?”

Lucas fumbled for words. “There’s a reason, alright? I can explain.”

“Pass,” she shot back.

Excuses didn’t cut it. No matter his reasons, he kept picking Olivia’s side, leaving Natasha high and dry.

“What about the engagement party?” Madeline cut in, trying to pivot.

“Engagement party?” Natasha’s laugh was icy. “There wasn’t even a real proposal. What engagement?”

“What’s that mean?” Madeline gaped.

Lucas and the Clark family stared, but Olivia’s eyes glinted with something sneaky.

“Need it clearer?” Natasha fixed Lucas with a cold stare. “I told you yesterday during that half–baked proposal–if you bailed, we were done. So, Lucas, we’re over. I’m done.”

“No way!” Lucas barked, his chest tightening like a vice. “I’m not letting this go!”

He’d been with her since she was three–twenty years. One botched proposal couldn’t end it. She’d always said she’d marry him.

To him, they were endgame.

“Take it back,” he said, jaw clenched. “You’re just mad. You don’t mean it.”

Natasha ignored him, turning to Madeline. “I’ve said my piece. We’re done. If you don’t want a party with no bride, call it off.”

“This is nonsense!” a voice roared. “The Wright–Clark wedding’s been set for years. You think this is a game? You were dying to marry him, and now you’re bailing? You can’t just do whatever!”

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Chapter 6

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you’re so set on it, marry him yourself. Or…” Her eyes flicked to Olivia. “You’ve got another daughter,

Lucas’s voice cracked, raw with hurt.

she scoffed, unmoved. That line was dead

done with this happy family sitcom,” she said, tossing her hands up.

strutted out, not

to chase, but Olivia grabbed his

Lucas. Chasing her now’s pointless. Let her chill, and we’ll talk to her together. She’s been crazy about you forever–canceling the engagement?

don’t sweat it,” Madeline said, patting Olivia’s hand. “She’ll come crawling back once she

trip to clear her head. Olivia and her boyfriend came along. A storm hit, and

drowned, waking up with memory issues, sometimes

triggered another episode, calling for her “boyfriend.” Madeline called Lucas to calm

Madeline saw no issue. She’d

owed Olivia too much. ‘It is just a proposal,‘ she thought. ‘Why the fuss? So

snorted. “Natasha’s been glued to Lucas for twenty years. No way

their words hold him back, but

to throw “breakup” around

Once, Lucas even had to kiss Olivia during one of her episodes, and Natasha was livid but only iced him out for

blowing off

Olivia at arm’s length. He hadn’t checked in

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Chapter 6

to push

the only one he wanted to

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everyone else dismissed Natasha’s words as a tantrum, Olivia watched her vanish, a

real, awesome,‘ Olivia thought. ‘If not, I’m

Clark family was itching to get out of the police station when a rookie cop

she just here last night?