I never laid a hand on her. But she fell, disappearing over the edge of the cliff. Later, I found out she’d survived, cushioned by a tree branch just beneath the ledge. It had all been staged—her fall, her injuries, even the timing. She’d orchestrated it perfectly.
By the time I made it home, my fate was sealed. Vanessa had whispered her lies into Lucien’s ears, and he believed every one of them.
No questions. No defense.
Just punishment.
Strapping me to a chair and leaving me outside, on the edge of my worst nightmare.
Another crackle from the phone brought me back.
Vanessa’s voice—soft, pitiful, false. “Lucien… maybe she didn’t mean to do it. She’s been out there so long. She’s suffering.”
Even when she had everything, she still wanted to look like the saint.
Lucien’s voice shifted, gentler now. “She deserves everything she’s getting. You risked your life for me once, even though you hated heights. I owe you everything, Vanessa. I’ll protect you with my life.”
There was a pause. Then, she asked, “What about Mara?”
Me.
“She doesn’t matter,” he said without hesitation. “If she ever lays a hand on you again—even if she’s carrying my child—I’ll make her pay for it.”
The line went dead.
I didn’t scream. I couldn’t. The pain in my throat was raw from earlier cries that had gone unanswered. My body had reached a state beyond exhaustion.
But something in my heart cracked open.
He didn’t know the truth.
It was me who had saved him once, not her. Me who had stood by him when everyone else disappeared. And now he was willing to kill me for a lie.
He had chosen his past.
And I was just the disposable present.
But this wasn't the end. Not for me.
The tight bindings around my wrists were finally undone. My arms dropped lifelessly to my sides, numb and burning from the prolonged strain. As soon as the ropes released their cruel grip, my knees gave out and I crumpled onto the icy marble floor, unable to hold myself up.
It wasn’t kindness that freed me—just the butler’s conscience or maybe his pity that finally won out after endless pleading. Still, the damage was done. My strength was gone, my voice hoarse from sobs that had long since gone dry. I curled inward, instinctively cradling my swollen belly with what little energy I had left. My baby was alive. That was all that mattered.