Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

Chapter 34

Lucas was drowning in pain. Everyone pressured him, and guilt over Roderick haunted him relentlessly.

Eventually, he caved in–with one condition: Natasha must never know. He understood her emotional boundaries, especially with Olivia involved. Even a pretense felt like betrayal.

Everyone tacitly approved his condition. With Lucas by her side, Olivia’s emotions steadily calmed down. Her suicidal urges ceased, and relapses grew rare. Everyone colluded to cover for them.

Natasha noticed Lucas favoring Olivia but swallowed her fury–for Roderick’s sake. Her love for Lucas withered daily under this torment.

It was half a month before Lucas planned to propose. Having grown up together, marriage for them seemed a natural progression.

Yet Lucas insisted Natashą deserved a proposal like others‘. He’d designed it meticulously, even securing the ring.

Due to all these preparations, Lucas had been acting furtively those days. Sensing something amiss, Natasha decided to follow him to uncover what he was hiding from her.

Backstage at a chaotic theater, Natasha saw him. He held Olivia, tenderly kissing her forehead.

Before this, an obsessive fan had triggered Olivia’s relapse during the curtain call. Lucas had rushed over with flowers for Natasha.

In the dressing room, only the blooming flowers and the affectionate couple remained. Olivia pouted at Lucas’s ringing phone.

“Why does Natasha call you so much? You’ve been so attentive to her lately. Tell me, what is she to you?” Her tone was mock–fierce, her eyes trusting.

Through the half–open door, Natasha met Lucas’s gaze–softness still in his eyes. He paled, froze, and yet hugged Olivia back. Staring at Natasha, he said, “Just a friend.”

“Just a friend.” The words felt like the universe’s cruel joke for Natasha. The man she believed would always choose her reduced their bond to that.

warning signs all along. They existed in the special ringtone, the hidden messages, the birthdays he missed, and his growing pity

snatch away Natasha’s last treasure: Lucas’s exclusive love, Natasha had broken up with

act. Hugs are what Roderick would do. I’ve never loved her. She’s sick–she thinks I’m him. That’s all. Mr. Clark and Mrs. Clark can vouch for

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4:34 pm PARA.

Chapter 34

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Natasha said. Her family and lover had woven a massive lie centered around Olivia for

to tell you,” Lucas admitted desperately. Staring into her eyes, he continued, “If I’d told you about Olivia’s illness then, you’d have

so well. Natasha had an instinctive aversion to anything or anyone associated with Olivia. She would

repulsive. “If she

condition is stabilizing. She’ll be

because

me. He loved Olivia, and she’s

‘She’s not!” Natasha exclaimed.

please. Don’t leave me. We can

Olivia’s sake, he would keep hurting her,

what I’m left with are missed movies, solitary dinners, and forgotten anniversaries. Would I always have to step aside for

chance to hurt her. From that day forward, their relationship plunged to an all–time

stopped hiding his visits to Olivia. He would always ask Natasha’s permission

away?‘ But seeing his anxious glances at his phone while awaiting her reply, she

the proposal was their breaking point. It wasn’t. Natasha had merely given Lucas one final chance. And he had

guilting you into choices, would you leave me?” Natasha asked curiously, watching

wrapped in a white blanket, her loose hair tucked beneath it,

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