Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

Chapter 37

On Natasha’s last two steps, both Lucas and Alexei held their breath. Lucas saw hope of reconciliation, while Alexei’s eyes darkened, plotting something unknown.

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Then, Natasha suddenly stopped and turned a corner. Under Lucas’s disbelieving gaze, she squatted down. She picked up a wooden gnome from beside the cabinet and dusted it off.

“Good thing it’s wood,” she snapped, glaring at a momentarily stunned Alexei. “If it were porcelain, you’d be in trouble.”

‘So she’s mad at me just because I knocked over her wooden gnome when I kicked Lucas,’ he thought. Alexei’s expression instantly brightened.

“I’ll buy you a hundred,” Alexei offered, grinning as if murderous rage hadn’t gripped him moments

ago.

However, Lucas’s face turned ashen. His lips moved soundlessly. He was unable to believe that in Natasha’s heart, he mattered less than a wooden gnome.

‘She saw Alexei’s violence, so how can she still talk to him so calmly, almost playfully? This isn’t right,’ he thought, his heart gnawed by anxiety.

“Natasha,” Lucas tried again, desperate to shatter their harmony. “I’m hurt.”

Natasha used to rush to him when he was injured. In college, after a dirty foul left him injured, she’d nearly fought the offenders herself.

‘She should be furious and concerned–not this detached calm,‘ he thought. ‘I can’t accept it.’

Her gaze, when it met Lucas, was flat. “Oh, go to the hospital then.” She emphasized,

felt his heart shattered. Alexei strode over, dragging the devastated Lucas out with

more hospitality.” His tone was

The light in Lucas’s eyes died. Pain,

downstairs and got in the car. Sitting in the dark like a lost ghost, he

I don’t believe Alexei. How could such a man have genuine

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Chapter 37

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to the hospital.

the birthday party in three days. I’d like to announce our engagement then.” Lucas would use any

mentioned Lucas. “Happy Birthday,” Alexei murmured,

striking, and perfect for daily wear. Natasha

her second gift this year. Sadie had sent a painting before leaving the country. Unable to return, Sadie had texted birthday wishes

her neck,

turning to him, utterly sincere. “Not just for the gift. But

cemetery. Whatever Lucas said about his being dangerous, Alexei had shown more kindness to her than any supposed family

a guarded hedgehog, disarmed by small kindnesses, it bared its soft

face him, closing the distance until their noses almost touched, breaths

smiling eyes. ‘If this is what he

in an instant–almost an illusion. “This is enough.

quickly turned back to the table. “That’s enough. Soup is