Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

The cemetery was remote, and with the heavy rain today, no one but the Clarks had chosen this day to visit.

In the vast grounds, it seemed only the sound of rain and Natasha’s breathing could be heard.

She stood before the grave, eyes locked on the smiling face of the woman in the photo, letting the rain pound against her face–and her heart.

Natasha murmured to herself, “Is this my punishment? But wasn’t Grandma your family too? Why? Can I just give you my life back?”

It was freezing, yet Natasha’s body was burning. By the end, she was almost rambling incoherently.

Natasha felt like a stray piece of driftwood floating alone in a boundless sea, only to be forgotten, rot away, and sink without a trace.

At the very moment Natasha collapsed, a large black umbrella appeared above her, and a pair of strong arms caught her.

Then that piece of driftwood was lifted out of the water again.

“Natasha, let’s go home.” The sharp lines of Alexei’s face had softened under the rain, his voice carrying a rare gentleness.

Natasha let herself sink peacefully into his embrace.

*****

Lucas had felt uneasy since morning. After pacing the living room more than a dozen times, he finally grabbed his car keys and headed for the door.

Even though Natasha had purposely provoked him last time–nearly getting him dragged to the police station by her neighbor–Lucas still felt he should be with her on such an important day.

Just as he was about to leave, something came to mind, and Lucas went back to his room to fetch a small box. Inside was the gift he had personally picked out for her,

For years, because of Emilia’s death, the Clark family avoided acknowledging Natasha’s birthday.

Only Lucas insisted on quietly sneaking Natasha out every year on this day to celebrate with her.

The last two years, Lucas had missed her birthday. After all, it was also the day Olivia mourned

most.

But this year, Lucas didn’t want to miss it again.

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impatience, she pulled him into the study. “Your grandfather’s birthday

something to do. We can talk when I

could possibly be

it inappropriate for an outsider to run around getting involved? And if you go celebrate Natasha’s birthday, how

rising. “What about how Natasha feels? We’ve known each other for twenty years, and because of Olivia, I’ve stood her up two

case, you’re not going. Tell me this–if Olivia

whose side

up

of course,” Lucas replied without

at him

Lucas couldn’t help but think about how, lately, he’d been standing against Natasha time and

chest.

then just avoid being anywhere they’re both present. That way, you won’t

was something Lucas shouldn’t get involved in–at most, he could marry whichever

Just wait until the right time and way, you can be the one

go.

That

time Lucas finally headed out, two hours had passed. He called Thomas first to

his feet, his voice a mix of frustration and anger. “So in this

Olivia right in front

a word after that. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a cab out there? She’s not scared being alone? Not long ago she ran into a creep,

felt a pang of regret

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rubbing his temples. “Fine, I’ll send you the location. Go bring her back. She probably

a chill. Have your housekeeper take care of her

send someone from the Clark house, she’ll never agree,

bother. I’ll handle it.” Lucas hung

the weather, traffic was sparse, and the closer he

moment he stepped out of the car, Lucas spotted a tall man carrying a woman down the mountain

a suit jacket draped over her shoulders. Only a pair of pale legs

their faces clearly, but something about them felt familiar. It wasn’t until Lucas watched them get into a black Rolls–Royce that

else would choose today to visit. He quickly snapped back to focus and ran up the mountain with his

grave was empty–only a bouquet of lilies lay soaked by

downpour, feeling an odd, hollow sense of loss. It seemed he and Natasha were always

car, the driver quietly raised the privacy screen the moment the engine

put Natasha down. Soaking wet, she sat on his lap as he