Lethal Temptation (by Michelle Ray) novel Chapter 26

26 I’m lactose intolerant

Mara

“That’s how you like your coffee,” I said, voice low. “And I drank it that way too, Darian. Not because

I liked it. I’m lactose intolerant.”

He went quiet on the other end.

“I drank it with cream and sugar so we’d have something in common,” I continued. “Just like I joined the Elite Academy-to feel close to you. To matter to you. But you never saw me. Or maybe you just chose not to.”

I could feel the ache clawing up my chest, but I didn’t let it stop me.

“You changed girlfriends like sheets and flaunted them in my face. I followed you around like a shadow, and you barely noticed. So why now?” I asked, voice cracking. “Why do you want me now? Now that I don’t drink my coffee with milk anymore. Now that I don’t orbit around you.”

He paused-long, hard silence.

“How do you like your coffee, Mara?” he asked gently.

I smiled, bitterly.

“I told you once,” I said. “You laughed. You can’t remember. Black, with sugar and a hint of cocoa. That’s me. That’s always been me.”

He didn’t speak. So I kept going.

“I don’t like eating the animals we hunt, either,” I added, “but I did it so you’d see me. So we’d have something-anything-to connect us. Even if Lucian annuls our marriage, I won’t come chasing after you again. I won’t ache for you the way I used to.”

My voice softened.

“Because what hurts more than being ignored, Darian, is knowing you knew I loved you and still treated me like an afterthought.”

He inhaled sharply.

“Mara, please…” he whispered, his voice breaking. “Im miserable without you. I don’t want to be your friend anymore. I want everything-to be your mate, to love you, to make love to you, to show you how deeply I feel. I want to fight for you. I need you.”

Tears spilled down my cheeks. The words that would have shattered me-would’ve made me his- just months ago now felt like a cruel joke from the universe. He was saying everything I’d begged to hear. Everything I would’ve given anything to believe.

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< 26 I’m lactose intolerant

But now?

Now I belonged to his brother.

+25 Points

My voice trembled. “If you had said this three months ago, I would have fallen into your arms without a second thought. But you didn’t. And now. I’m married to Lucian.”

He exhaled, ragged and helpless.

“Please,” I said, my voice barely a whisper. “Let me move on. Let me get over you in peace.”

“I see you now, Mara,” he said. “I always did. I just thought we had time. But they took you from me.

I’m not giving you up. Even if you’re married to Lucian, I’ll fight to win you back.”

My heart dropped to my stomach.

I couldn’t breathe.

He hung up before I could say anything else.

I sat frozen, phone still in my hand, eyes wide with dread. My head screamed for me to walk away. To shut the door on this.

But how do you walk away from something you gave four years of your heart to?

I was scared. Confused. Alone in a marriage built on duty and appearances, while the only man who had ever made me feel anything refused to let go.

And Lucian’s quiet nights with Tina weren’t helping.

I needed help.

Because no matter what choice I made now-someone would bleed.

And I wasn’t sure it wouldn’t be me.

8

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