Lethal Temptation (by Michelle Ray) novel Chapter 80

<80 (Lucian’s POV) Emotional Journey

80 (Lucian’s POV) Emotional Journey

Lucian

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As Tina’s cries faded down the hallway, Mara turned and went to get dressed for breakfast. The

calm after the storm.

Later, in the shower, her scent wrapped around me like a balm. I kissed her neck, and she leaned

into me.

“What if it’s serious?” she whispered.

I didn’t answer right away. I just held her closer.

Because maybe it was serious.

But some things had to hurt before they could heal

“I really can’t do anything for her,” I said, my tone hard but steady. “If I were a doctor, I’d be at the

hospital. But I’m not. I have nothing left to give Tina Whatever she’s going through now-whether

it’s fallout from the poison or something she cooked up for attention-it’s not my burden anymore.”

Mara stood still, her face unreadable. “I don’t trust her,” I continued. “She’ll do anything to stay

relevant in my life. Last time, I panicked and rushed her to the hospital like a fool. But that ship

sailed. She needs to understand-I’m not her man anymore.”

At that, Mara flinched. Just a flicker. But I caught it.

“Will you feel that way about me one day?” she asked quietly. “If I mess up… if I disappoint you?”

I understood the fear in her voice. The shadow of Tina stretched long. I’d been with Tina for eight

years-long enough for people to believe we were soulmates. We weren’t. We just got used to

each other. Things only fell apart when I stepped out of the spotlight. When I didn’t take the Alpha

position and my father dropped me to the bottom of Steel Corp, she flipped.

No more luxury, no more status. Just a man with a basic salary and bruised pride. Still, I gave her

everything-my allowance, my time, my loyalty. And she repaid it by trying to turn me against my

own father, pushing me toward rebellion, manipulation laced with charm.

In those moments, she reminded me of Martha.

I didn’t leave her, not because I loved her, but because I was tired. Starting over felt like too much.

The idea of a new relationship, of opening up again that weight kept me stuck.

But then came Mara.

And suddenly, I understood what it felt like to truly belong to someone.

I stepped behind her in the shower, water cascading over both of us. I kissed her neck, slow and

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(80 (Lucian’s POV) Emotional Journey

sure, then wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her to me.

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“My love for you will never change,” I whispered against her skin. “No matter what happens, no matter what you do. You’re the only one who truly gets to me, Mara. I swear it-my love will never

fade.”

She exhaled, and the tension in her shoulders softened.

Then she turned to face me, eyes searching mine, steady and full of something that made my

chest tighten.

“I love you, Lucian,” she said.

She rested her head against my chest, and I held her as the water washed over us-two souls

standing still in a world that kept trying to pull us apart.

We arrived late to breakfast. Everyone was already seated-my father at the head of the table,

calm but clearly waiting.

“Took you two long enough to grace us with your presence,” he said with a smirk.

I smiled back, not bothering to explain.

He shook his head, eyes flicking between Mara and me. “Had I known you two would fall so hard, I might’ve made the match between you two when she turned eighteen.”

Martha scoffed and rolled her eyes, the bitterness already spilling out.

“Of course Mara fell for him,” she snapped. “He’s got the biggest company. He’s the future Alpha. He’s got everything Darian doesn’t. What girl wouldn’t fall for that?”

My father’s expression tightened, anger simmering just below the surface. But Martha didn’t

notice-or didn’t care.

She turned to me, eyes sharp. “Tell me, Lucian, how does it feel screwing your brother’s leftovers?”

The room fell silent. My jaw clenched, and across the table, Lacy giggled-soft, cruel, and

deliberate.

I gave her a look that said exactly what I wanted to do if this wasn’t breakfast in a family estate.

“Enough!” my father and Darian snapped in unison,

Darian stood, his face flushed-not with embarrassment, but rage. “For your information, I never touched Mara. She was a virgin when she married Lucian.”

The silence that followed was different-heavier.

Martha stared at Mara, stunned. My father’s gaze shifted to Mara too, but it wasn’t judgment. It

was respect.

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<80 (Lucian’s POV) Emotional Journey

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We’d all assumed the worst. Every late-night visit. Every closed door in Darian’s room. We believed the whispers.

“So what exactly were you two doing in your room all those nights, Darian?” Martha asked, her voice quieter now, but still laced with accusation.

“Assignments,” he said. “And video games.”

I turned to Mara. Her eyes dropped to her plate.

And just like that, the truth rearranged everything.

“Lacy,” my father said, voice cold as steel. “Apologize to your Luna. Now.”

Lacy jolted upright, cheeks flushed. “I’m sorry I giggled, Luna Mara,” she said, eyes downcast.

Mara barely looked at her. Just a quiet nod. Detached. Dismissive. She wasn’t here for fake

apologies, and I didn’t blame her. My father caught my eye, and he understood. Lacy wasn’t the

threat-the real venom sat beside him.

“Mara and Lucian will be going on vacation,” my father announced, his tone shifting, formal and

firm.

Martha’s brows lifted. “Will you be taking your baggage with you?” she asked, eyes cutting toward

1. The hostility was out now-naked and bold. I had no idea what triggered this fresh wave, but it

hit hard.

“No,” my father replied coolly, before I could speak. Tina will remain here. She still lives under this

roof.”

He exhaled sharply, like the words tasted bitter. “While they’re away, Tina will be moved to this wing. Staff will tend to her needs. She’s pregnant, and that comes with responsibilities.”

“No, Vander,” Martha snapped. “Tina is Lucian’s problem. Let him take her. We didn’t ask for this

circus.”

My father chuckled darkly. “Lucian is my son. My heir. Tina claims to carry his child-my grandchild. Possibly his heir. She can stay whereve she wants.”

I felt Mara stiffen beside me.

Martha saw it. Smiled like a vulture circling fresh weakness.

“Welcome to my world, Mara,” she said, her voice a quiet poison. “The first child always gets everything. Pray it’s not a boy. Pray he’s not strong. Because Tina’s already got the head start. And when the children grow up, you’ll be left with scrap That’s the price of being second.”

I gripped Mara’s hand under the table. Squeezed tight. A silent apology. A promise. But I knew she’d felt it-every word. And there was nothing I could do to unhear it for her.

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Martha had just dropped a blade between us.

And it would take more than a private conversation to pull it out.

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