Lethal Temptation (by Michelle Ray) novel Chapter 138

138 Hospital and Things

Lucian

Clar

I told Austin to take Tina in for a full medical check-up. After what happened to Tiffany, I wasn’t taking any more chances. I didn’t care how manipulative Tina had been-I wanted her alive to care for her child and

eventually go back to Joey. I wasn’t going to have another woman fall apart on my watch.

That week, I worked from home and helped Mara with Darian’s newborn. He stayed at the hospital, refusing to leave Tiffany’s side. He hadn’t even named his daughter yet-said Tiffany would name her

when she woke up. If she woke up.

He looked rough. His beard had grown out in the space of a week, a far cry from the clean-shaven man we

all knew. Honestly, he looked more like me now.

But Tiffany hadn’t improved. No movement. No response. Just silence and machines.

Mara was getting attached to the baby-cradling her, humming to her, even speaking softly as she rocked

her to sleep. And I couldn’t blame her. That child had no one else.

Our sex life took a hit that week. Between the baby’s schedule, Mara’s pregnancy, and the weight of everything going on-it was hard to find time or energy. But it was worth it. For Mara. For that little girl. For

Darian.

That night, Mara and I were lying in bed. We’d just changed the baby’s diaper and finally rocked her to sleep. The lights were dim, and the house was quiet. Mara curled into my arms and rested her head on my

chest.

“Lucian,” she said softly.

“Hmm?”

“If Tina’s baby turns out to be yours… do you think we should take the baby from her?”

The question hit me harder than I expected.

“That’s… a big commitment, Mara,” I said slowly. “You’re pregnant. Tina’s going to have to care for her child herself. I’ll pay for a nanny if I have to. And who knows-maybe my father will take the child.”

She sat up in bed and looked down at me.

“Darian doesn’t trust his daughter with Martha, and she’s his mother. You really think your father or Tina are the better options?”

I sighed. I didn’t want to talk about Tina. The whole situation made my skin crawl. She was due in a few

weeks, and my panic had been climbing steadily. Deep down, I didn’t want the child to be mine. But

knowing how manipulative Tina was, there was a high chance it was.

“Can we not do this right now, Mara?” I said, rubbing my temples. “I’ve got enough on my plate.”

138 Hospital and Things

“No,” she said, her voice surprisingly calm. “There’s nothing to work out.”

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