Chapter 7
The hospital reeked of antiseptic, its halls filled with the murmurs of nurses and the occasional beep of heart monitors. But Lucien barely noticed any of it. His strides were quick, impatient, his hands clenched into tight fists as he approached the nurse’s station.
His mind was a mess–flashes of Mara, pale and unmoving, haunted him. The last time he saw her, she was nothing more than a lifeless body on the ground. His grip tightened at the memory. She had looked… gone.
But she wasn’t. He had been told someone had donated blood at the last second, saving her life.
And Lucien wanted to know who.
“Who was it?” His voice was sharp, cutting through the tension in the room like a blade.
The nurse hesitated, glancing nervously between her notes and his piercing gaze. Finally, she spoke.}
“A Mr. Rozen Gray.“}
Lucien’s entire body went rigid.}
The name alone sent a surge of irritation through him. Of all people, him?}
Lucien turned his head sharply, scanning the area. And sure enough, there he was.
Rozen stood outside Mara’s hospital room, his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall. His dark button–down sleeves were rolled up slightly, revealing the IV mark on his arm from where they had drawn his blood. His expression was unreadable, but there was something about the way he stood–calm, waiting, as if he had every right to be there–that sent Lucien’s temper flaring.
His strides were slow but deliberate, every step laced with fury.
What the hell are you doing here?“}
Rozen barely turned his head, his gaze remaining fixed on the door behind him. “Helping Mara,” he said, his tone indifferent, as if the answer was obvious.
Lucien scoffed, his patience wearing thin. “I don’t need your help.”}
Rozen let out a quiet exhale, finally looking at him fully. “Funny,” he murmured. “Because if I hadn’t been here, Mara would be dead.“}]
Lucien’s jaw tightened. “That’s none of your concern. How do you even know my wife?“}
For a moment, Rozen said nothing. Then, a smirk ghosted his lips, but it lacked humor. “Have you forgotten?” His voice was quiet, almost thoughtful. “Or do you just not want to admit it?”
Lucien narrowed his eyes.
Rozen continued.
“We were childhood friends.” His gaze was sharp, piercing. “She was supposed to be mine. But I backed away when I found out you married her. I left her alone. I let you have her.“}
His voice dipped lower, something dangerous lurking beneath the surface.}
“And yet, you nearly killed her.“}
A muscle in Lucien’s jaw ticked, his fingers curling into fists. “That’s not your business.“}
Rozen let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “You’re right. It’s not.” His expression turned cold. “But tell me, Lucien–how does it feel? Knowing that the woman you claim to own almost died because of you?”
Lucien stepped closer, his presence radiating anger. “Mara is my wife. You have no right to interfere.“}]
Rozen tilted his head slightly, his gaze unwavering. “Your wife?” He let out a scoff. “Is that what you call her? Because from what I’ve seen, she looks more like your prisoner.“}
Before Lucien could respond, a soft, hesitant voice cut through the tension.”
“Lucien?”
Both men turned.!
Vanessa stood a few feet away, her delicate features marred by bruises, her arm wrapped in a cast. Her lips parted slightly in confusion as she looked between the two men, sensing the hostility thick in the air.
“What’s going on?” she asked, stepping forward.}
Lucien exhaled sharply, his expression softening slightly as she reached for him. Without hesitation, Vanessa clung to his arm, her fingers gripping his sleeve as she leaned into him, as if seeking comfort.
Rozen’s gaze darkened at the sight.
A slow smirk tugged at his lips, but his eyes held no amusement.
“Ah” he murmured. “So this is what it is.” His gaze flicked between them. “You were cheating on Mara with her.”
Vanessa’s body stiffened.
Lucien’s eyes flashed with irritation. “That’s not your concern.“}
But Rozen wasn’t finished.”
His smirk faded, replaced by something far more menacing. “That woman,” he said, his tone ice–cold, “the one who threw herself off a cliff just to frame Mara.”
Silence.
Vanessa inhaled sharply, her grip on Lucien tightening. “T–That’s not true!” she gasped. “Mara pushed me!” Her voice trembled, but her
expression remained composed, controlled. “She deserved what happened to her!”
Rozen let out a laugh–low, bitter, devoid of warmth. “Pushed you?” He took a slow step forward. “Interesting. Because I have proof that you pushed yourself.”
Vanessa’s breath hitched.N
She recovered quickly, letting out a soft, pitiful chuckle. “That’s ridiculous. That would be impossible.“}
Lucien crossed his arms. “Do you really expect me to believe Mara is innocent?” His voice was filled with skepticism, but there was a flicker of something else beneath it–doubt.
Rozen didn’t hesitate.N
He pulled out his phone, tapped the screen a few times, then turned it toward Lucien.
“Just watch.“N
Lucien frowned but took the device, eyes locking onto the video playing.
It started like any other hiking footage–a view or
Then the camera shifted.N
There they were.}
Mara.N
Vanessa.
of the mountain landscape, the vast cliffside stretching endlessly.”
They stood near the cliff’s edge, their postures tense. The
Vanessa’s voice–soft, venomous.N
“You don’t deserve him.”
Mara flinched but didn’t back down.
And then–D
audio wasn’t perfect, but Lucien could make out parts of their conversation.
Vanessa suddenly gasped, her arms flailing as she stumbled backward.
But it wasn’t an accident.@
She jumped.”
The video cut off.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Lucien’s grip on the phone tightened, his knuckles turning white.
Slowly, his head turned toward Vanessa.
Her face was pale.”
Her lips parted as if to speak, to deny it—but no words came.
Because she saw it.
Lucien saw it.”
The truth.
The weight of it crushed him, his world shattering in an instant.
Vanessa had lied.
She had always been lying.
And Mara-
Mara had suffered because of it.
Lucien felt his chest tighten, his breath caught somewhere between rage and something far worse.§
Regret.
The world felt heavy.
