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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8:17 pm

Chapter 6

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him yourself.

Lucas’s voice cracked, raw with hurt. “You know I

That

with this happy family sitcom,” she said, tossing her hands up. “Catch ya later–or, better yet,

strutted out, not

to chase, but Olivia

be happening. She’s just pissed, Lucas. Chasing her now’s

Olivia’s hand. “She’ll come crawling back once she cools off. Twenty years

a group sailing trip to clear her head. Olivia and

waking up with memory issues, sometimes mistaking Lucas for her dead

night, Olivia’s car accident triggered another episode, calling for her “boyfriend.” Madeline called Lucas

issue. She’d make the same

‘It is just a proposal,‘ she

snorted. “Natasha’s been glued to Lucas for twenty years. No way she’s serious about ditching the

words hold him back, but a knot twisted

to throw “breakup” around

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

her blowing off steam? he

at arm’s length. He hadn’t checked

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8:17 pm

Chapter 6

to push

only one he wanted to marry. Always had

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a tantrum, Olivia watched her

real, awesome,‘ Olivia thought. ‘If not, I’m cool with stirring the pot a

get out of the police station when a rookie cop swaggered in,

night? Back for