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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pulled him into the study. “Your

something to do. We can talk when I get back,” Lucas

possibly be more urgent than your

with you? Isn’t it inappropriate for an outsider to run around getting involved?

jaw tightened, his voice unconsciously rising. “What about how Natasha feels? We’ve known each other for

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

whose side are you

up

of course,” Lucas

at him

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

chest.

you can’t make up your mind, then just avoid being

mess between the two Clark daughters was something Lucas shouldn’t get involved in–at most, he could marry whichever one came out

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

go.

That

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

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

slapped Olivia

you have any idea how hard it is to get a cab out there? She’s not scared being

Thomas felt a pang of

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his temples. “Fine, I’ll send

have caught a chill. Have your housekeeper take care of her for a few days. I’ll cover the

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

handle it.” Lucas hung up and sped toward

traffic was sparse, and the closer he got, the more

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

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

felt familiar. It wasn’t until

choose today to visit. He quickly snapped back to focus and

of grave was empty–only a bouquet

hollow sense of loss. It

raised the privacy screen the moment the engine

spacious backseat, Alexei still hadn’t put Natasha down. Soaking wet, she sat on his lap