Chosen By The Cursed Alpha King (Emilia) novel Chapter 198

LUCIEN’S POV

I stood there, rooted to the spot, my heart slamming against my ribs so hard could hear it in my ears. Andrea looked up at me-those big brown eyes full of hope and pain-and it felt like semeone had reached into my chest and squeezed.

I didn’t know what to say.

Nothing came. No words. No comfort. Just a roaring in my head as memories I’d buried deep clawed their way to the surface. My father’s voice, cold and cutting. The way he’d looked at me like I was nothing. Like I was a mistake he couldn’t erase. The cellar. The dark. The kicks. The hatred.

I’d sworn I’d never be like him. Never let a child feel that kind of rejection.

But this boy…this little boy who might be mine-was staring at me like I held his whole world in my hands. And 1 had no idea what to do with it.

Before I could force a single word out, the king spoke, his voice calm but firm, cutting through the suffocating silence.

“The maid will show you and your son to guest quarters.

You’ll stay there until the results are ready.”

Naomi’s face softened with relief. “Thank you, YourMajesty.”

Andrea’s head snapped up, his eyes lighting like someone had flipped a switch. “Yay! I get to play with Daddy!”

The words hit me like a freight train.

He ran forward-small legs pumping-and crashed into my leg, arms wrapping around it in a fierce hug. His little face pressed against my thigh, and I froze.

Completely froze.

His hair brushed my hand. Soft. Warm. Real.

Naomi gently pried him off, murmuring something soft, and led him toward the door. He looked back once, waving shyly. “Bye, Daddy! See you soon!”

Then they were gone.

The door closed with a soft click.

And my legs gave out.

I sank onto the nearest couch, burying my head in my hands. My fingers dug into my scalp like I could claw the confusion out. My breath came in short, ragged bursts.

“Why is this happening to me?” I whispered into my palms. “Why now? When everything is finally okay with Adele… what the hell am I going to tell her?”

The couch dipped beside me. A heavy hand settled on myshoulder-the king’s. Strong. Steady.

“You have to be strong, Lucien,” he said quietly. “You have to tell her the truth. All of it. And we still have to wait for the results.”

I lifted my head, staring at the floor like it might give me answers. My heart was still racing, a frantic drumbeat I couldn’t slow.

“What if..” My voice cracked. I swallowed hard and tried again. “What if the result comes out positive?”

The question hung there, heavy and terrifying.

What if this boy really was mine?

I sat beside him, hand going to his shoulder. His muscles were tense under my palm, rigid like stone.”Lucien, talk to me,” I said softly, worry creeping into my voice. “You’re scaring me.”

He didn’t look up at first. Just sat there, breathing slow and deep, like he was trying to hold himself together.

Then he turned his head.

His eyes were shining.

Unshed tears glistened in those dark depths, making them look even stormier. I’d never seen him like this. Not once. Lucien didn’t cry. He didn’t break. He was the strong one.

Seeing him on the edge like this-it terrified me.

My hand tightened on his shoulder. “Lucien, what happened?”

He reached for my free hand, fingers wrapping around mine like I was his lifeline. His grip was almost too tight, trembling just slightly.

“Promise me,” he whispered, voice rough and broken.” Promise me…promise me that no matter what happens… you’ll never leave me.”

The words hit me like ice water.

I stared at him, my heart pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat.

Never leave him?What could possibly make him say that?

What had happened while he was gone?