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.

all along. They existed in the special ringtone, the hidden messages, the birthdays

Lucas’s exclusive love, Natasha had broken up with him

an 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

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4:34 pm PARA.

Chapter 34

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and lover had woven a massive lie

tell you,” Lucas admitted desperately. Staring into her eyes, he continued, “If I’d told

anyone associated with Olivia. She would never have allowed him to

even more repulsive. “If she never recovers, will you abandon me every time she calls?”

condition is stabilizing. She’ll be well soon,”

answer my question directly because

saving me. He loved Olivia, and she’s your

‘She’s not!” Natasha exclaimed.

Don’t leave me. We can figure

her, just like today. She thought, ‘This time it’s a hug. What’s next? Would they kiss

missed movies, solitary dinners, and forgotten

relationship had given him the chance to hurt her. From that

visits to Olivia. He would always ask

I said no, would he stay away?‘ But seeing his anxious glances at his phone while awaiting

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

into choices, would

wrapped in a white blanket, her loose hair tucked beneath it, leaving only her flawless face exposed–like

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