Two Reborn, One Throne novel Chapter 34

The School Clinic.

A dripping wet Lucian rushed in, carrying an equally soaked and "unconscious" Joanne. The school nurse was startled. "What happened to her?"

Lucian couldn't admit he'd been provoked by Amber, so he lied. "Cleaning accident. Please, check on her. Is she okay?"

The nurse quickly examined Joanne but couldn't find anything medically wrong. Just as she was about to suggest letting her rest while Lucian went to change his clothes, Joanne slowly fluttered her eyes open.

Lucian immediately leaned in, helping her sit up and pulling her against his chest. "Joanne, you're awake. Does it hurt anywhere else?"

Joanne’s acting was flawless. Feigning weakness and confusion, she whispered, "Lucian... where am I? Oh god, Lucian, what do we do now? Is Amber going to tell Grace that I stole the money? You have to believe me, I really didn't. Why is Amber framing me? I know I have a bad reputation, but she can't just dump this on me."

"Lucian, maybe... maybe I should just go to the hospital and beg on my knees for Grace's forgiveness. I should have gone today anyway. Don't stop me, let me go."

The tears flowed freely, as if they cost nothing.

The nurse looked slightly bewildered but knew better than to pry into high school drama.

"No, you're not going. You shouldn't even have..." Lucian wanted to say she shouldn't have returned the items at all. What he bought for her was hers. But he blamed himself for not making that clear.

"Don't worry, I told you I'd handle it. I know you're terrified my mother will punish me, but I've already spoken to her. Once I win the fifty thousand dollars from the Physics Olympiad next week, she won't be mad anymore. So..." He reached out, affectionately tapping her nose. "From now on, whatever you do, talk to me first. See? This whole mess wasn't worth the trouble. Joanne, I promised I would protect you in this life. I won't let you suffer even a fraction of a grievance. I meant every word. Now, are you still cold?"

Lucian gazed at her with deep, soulful affection.

Under his intense stare, Joanne's cheeks flushed. For some inexplicable reason, her heart actually fluttered.

Was he serious?

But her dad always told her never to trust a man's words. All she needed to care about was getting the cash.

Look at him now, treating her like absolute royalty. But hadn't he treated Amber the exact same way not so long ago? And now he had completely turned on Amber, going out of his way to destroy the girl just to defend her. If the day ever came when he turned on her like that, she would lose everything.

So to hell with feelings. Playing house was for kids. Hard cash was the only thing that mattered.

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