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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just as he reached the door, he ran into Margot. Ignoring his impatience, she pulled him into the study. “Your grandfather’s birthday

can

possibly be more urgent

family’s going to the cemetery. What’s that got to do with you? Isn’t it inappropriate for an outsider to run around

jaw tightened, his voice unconsciously rising. “What about how Natasha feels? We’ve known each other for twenty years, and because of Olivia,

a cold laugh. “In any case, you’re not going. Tell me this–if Olivia and Natasha

conflict, whose side are

up

of course,” Lucas replied

at him

how, lately, he’d been standing against Natasha time and time again, pushing her further and further

chest.

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

eyes, the tangled mess between the two Clark daughters was something Lucas shouldn’t

casually, “Alright. Just wait until the right time and way, you can be

go.

That

finally headed out, two hours had passed. He called Thomas

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

slapped Olivia right in front of Aunt

it is to get a cab out there? She’s not scared being alone? Not long ago she

felt a pang of regret at

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I’ll send you the location. Go bring her

might have caught a chill. Have your housekeeper take

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

it.” Lucas hung

of the weather, traffic was sparse, and

took over an hour to get there. The moment he stepped out of the car, Lucas spotted a tall man carrying a

a black dress, her face buried in the man’s chest, a suit jacket draped over her shoulders. Only a pair of pale

made it impossible to see their faces clearly, but something about them felt familiar. It wasn’t

would choose today to visit. He quickly snapped back to focus and ran up

empty–only a

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

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

put Natasha down. Soaking wet, she