Unmatched Wife: Not His To Claim Anymore novel Chapter 66

Chapter 66

Chapter 66

BIANCA

“Then we’ll find another way.” Rivera’s voice was firm. “But Bianca, I won’t let him hurt you. I won’t let anyone hunt you the way they hunted your mother. You have my word on that.”

The promise hung in the air between us, weighted with implications I was finally ready to examine.

“Why?” I asked softly. “Why do you care so much? It would be easier to just let me go, find Louis another healer, avoid the complications I bring.”

“Because Louis loves you.” Rivera’s hand found mine in the darkness. “Because you’ve become essential to our lives in a way I didn’t expect. Because when I imagine our future, you’re in it. Not as a guest or a temporary resident, but as family.”

My breath caught. “Lucian-”

“I know it’s too soon,” he continued quickly. “I know you’re still healing from what Matthew did, still figuring out who you are outside of that marriage. I’m not asking for promises or commitments or anything you’re not ready to give. I’m just… I’m telling you the truth. About how I feel. About what I want.”

He shifted closer, close enough that I could see the vulnerability in his eyes.

“I want you to stay, Bianca. Not because you’re helping Louis, not because you’re convenient, but because you belong here. With us. And I’ll wait however long it takes for you to believe that too.”

Tears were streaming down my face now, and I didn’t bother wiping them away.

“I’m scared,” I whispered. “Of trusting again. Of getting hurt. Of letting myself want this and then discovering it was a mistake.”

“I know.” His thumb traced circles on the back of my hand. “But Bianca, you can’t live your whole life protecting yourself from potential pain. At some point, you have to be brave enough to try again.”

I looked at him–really looked at him–and saw nothing but sincerity in his expression. No manipulation, no hidden agendas, no expectations beyond what I was willing to give.

And I realized I’d already made my choice. Had made it weeks ago, maybe, when I’d first decided to stay despite recovering enough to leave. When I’d let Louis call me Mummy without correction. When I’d started imagining a future in this house, with this man, with this makeshift family we were building.

“I want to try,” I said, my voice barely audible. “I can’t promise it won’t be messy or complicated or that I won’t panic sometimes. But I want to try. With you. With Louis. With all of this.”

The smile that broke across Rivera’s face was like sunrise–slow, warm, transformative.

“That’s all I need,” he said softly.

Then he leaned forward, his intention clear in the way his gaze dropped to my lips and back up to my eyes.

And I met him halfway.

The kiss was gentle at first, tentative, both of us testing the waters of this new territory. But then his hand came up to cup my face, and I melted into him, letting myself feel everything I’d been holding back for weeks.

He tasted like coffee and possibility, and when he pulled back, we were both breathing hard.

“Wow,” I managed.

“Yeah.” His voice was rough. “Wow.”

Chapter 68

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We sat there for a moment, foreheads pressed together, and I felt something settle in my chest. Something that felt like hope.

Like maybe, just maybe, I deserved this. Deserved happiness and safety and someone who looked at me like I was precious rather than convenient.

“Stay with me?” The question slipped out before I could stop it. “Just to sleep. I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

Rivera’s expression softened with understanding. “Of course.”

We settled under the covers, his arm around me, my head on his chest. And for the first time in longer than I could remember, I felt truly safe.

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