Unmatched Wife: Not His To Claim Anymore novel Chapter 75

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Chapter 75

Chapter 75

BIANCA

“I hope so.”

“Oh, we will. I’ve already planned at least six pranks on the surgical residents that will require your medical expertise to pull off properly.”

I laughed despite my exhaustion. “I’m not helping you torment residents.”

“We’ll see,” James said with a wink. Then, more seriously: “But really, Bianca. I’m glad you’re here. The hospital needs good people, and you’re one of the best.”

He left, and suddenly the apartment was quiet except for soft music still playing from the speakers and the sound of Rivera cleaning up in the kitchen.

Louis had fallen asleep on the couch mid–party, curled around his stuffed wolf, his face peaceful in sleep. I stood watching him for a moment, this child who’d claimed me as his mother with such casual certainty, who’d made me feel valued in ways I’d forgotten were possible.

“He had a good time,” Rivera said softly, coming to stand beside me. “Told half your colleagues that you’re ‘basically magic‘ and that they should hire you for everything.”

“He’s biased.”

“He’s not wrong.” Rivera’s hand found mine, his fingers warm and solid. “You were amazing tonight. Watching you with your colleagues, seeing how much they respect you–it was everything you deserve.”

I squeezed his hand, fighting unexpected tears. “This has been one of the best nights of my life. The party, the celebration, feeling like I actually belong somewhere for the first time in years.”

“You do belong here.” Rivera turned to face me fully. “Bianca, I meant what I said before. This is your home for as long as you want it. Not as a guest or someone we’re helping, but as part of our family.”

The word still made my heart skip. Family.

“Can we talk?” I asked. “Really talk, about everything we’ve been avoiding?”

“Of course.” He glanced at Louis, still peacefully sleeping. “Let me carry him to bed first. Meet me on the balcony in five minutes?”

I nodded, and he scooped Louis up with the ease of long practice, carrying him upstairs.

I moved to the balcony, the cool night air a relief after hours in the crowded apartment. BloodMoon City spread out below us, lights glittering like a promise of possibility.

Rivera joined me a few minutes later, two glasses of wine in hand.

“Louis wanted to sleep with his ‘party clothes‘ on,” he said with amusement. “I compromised with pajamas under his button- down shirt. He’s going to wake up confused.”

“He’ll be fine.” I accepted the wine, taking a sip before setting it aside. “Lucian, I need to ask you something.

“Okay.”

“Are you happy?” I turned to face him fully. “Having me here. Is this–is this situation working for you and Louis? Or am I overstaying my welcome?”

Chapter 75

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His expression shifted to something soft and surprised. “Bianca, where is this coming from?”

“I just need to know. If this is temporary, if you’re just being kind until I can stand on my own, I need to know so I can plan accordingly.”

“This isn’t temporary,” Rivera said firmly, setting down his own wine and taking both my hands. “At least, I don’t want it to be. Bianca, having you here has been-” He paused, searching for words. “It’s been like watching color return to a painting that’s been in grayscale for years. The house feels alive again. Louis is happier than he’s been since his mother died. And I…”

He trailed off, and I saw vulnerability in his eyes that he usually kept carefully hidden.

“You what?” I prompted softly.

“I’m falling for you,” he admitted. “Have been for weeks, probably longer. And I know that’s complicated and maybe too soon and possibly terrible timing, but it’s the truth. You matter to me, Bianca. Not because you helped Louis or because you’re convenient, but because you’re you. And I don’t want to imagine a future where you’re not part of our lives.”

My breath caught. Because this was a declaration, clear and honest and exactly what I’d been afraid to hope for.

“I’m falling for you too,” I whispered. “And it terrifies me because the last time I trusted someone, the last time I let myself depend on someone, it ended with him trying to kill me. But Lucian, you’re not him. You’ve never been him. And I’m tired of letting Matthew’s failures control my ability to trust again.”

Rivera pulled me closer, his hands framing my face with a gentleness that made my eyes burn.

“I will never hurt you the way he did,” he said, his voice fierce. “Never demand you sacrifice yourself for me, never make you feel like you’re not enough. You’re more than enough, Bianca. You’re-” He stopped, emotion making his voice rough. “You’re everything.”

And then he kissed me.

It was different from our first kiss weeks ago–less tentative, more certain. This was a kiss that acknowledged what we were building, what we wanted, what we were choosing despite the complications.

I melted into him, my hands sliding up to tangle in his hair, letting myself feel everything I’d been holding back. Want and need and the terrifying vulnerability of opening my heart again.

When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing hard, foreheads pressed together.

“Promise me that you won’t leave me, that you will live here,” Rivera whispered. “Not as a guest. Not temporarily. I want you to stay because this is home. Because we’re family. Because I love you.”

The words hung in the air between us, precious and frightening and exactly right.

“I love you too,” I said, and felt something settle in my chest. Something that felt like peace. “And yes. I’ll stay.”

His smile was brilliant, transforming his serious face into something younger, happier.

“Good,” he said simply. “Because Louis has already started planning how to redecorate your room to be less ‘guest–y‘ and more mummy–appropriate.‘ His words, not mine.”

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