Livia's POV…..
The first thing I noticed when I woke up…
Was the silence and the fact that I was alone in bed, well I slept alone but I expected Lucian to join me.
For a moment, I didn't move.
I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, letting the events of the night before slowly return to me.
The wedding, Lucian, the truth.
My breath hitched slightly as the memory settled fully into place.
I let out a groan and sat up slowly rubbing my eyes.
A strange feeling flickered in my chest, but I ignored it, swinging my legs over the edge and standing up.
The room looked different in the morning light, it looked less intimidating but still luxurious—but no longer suffocating like last night.
I moved toward the bathroom, my steps quiet against the floor.
My face turns beet red as I remembered literally giving Lucian a strip show last night.
Someone kill me now!
I took my bath with warm water, the warm water helped at least a little.
As it ran over my skin, I closed my eyes briefly, trying to steady my thoughts.
Everything felt unreal like I had stepped into someone else's life overnight.
A life filled with secrets and danger.
And a man I didn't understand.
Lucian Kingsley.
I opened my eyes again, exhaling slowly.
"It's only temporary ," I murmured under my breath.
That was what he had said, this was temporary.
I held onto that thought as I finished and stepped out, wrapping a robe around myself before returning to the bedroom.
A maid was in there snd i stifled a gasp i paused at the doorway, staring at her.
"Oh—good morning, madam," she said quickly, bowing her head slightly.
"I've brought your breakfast."
I blinked twice.
Breakfast?
Right, of course.
I stepped further into the room, noticing the tray neatly arranged on the table it had fresh fruit, toast, tea… everything was perfectly placed.
"Thank you," I said softly.
She gave a small nod, still avoiding direct eye contact, before stepping back.
"If you need anything, please let us know."
And just like that, she was gone.
I stood there for a moment, unsure what to do then slowly, I walked over and sat down.
The food looked good.
But my appetite? Almost nonexistent.
Still, I forced myself to eat a little i would need the strength because something told me this house wasn't going to be easy to survive.
After I finished, I stood up, glancing around the room again.
I had nothing to do here and i couldn't just stay here.
So, after a moment of hesitation, I walked toward the door and stepped out into the hallway.
The mansion was massive that was the first thing I realized.
Hallways stretched in multiple directions, each one leading to rooms I hadn't seen, spaces I didn't recognize.
Everything was polished and perfect and it all reflected power.
My steps were slow at first, i didn't know where I was going.
I didn't even know what I was looking for but if I was being honest… i did.
I was looking for Lucian.
A part of me needed to see him again to confirm that last night hadn't been some strange dream.
That he really was—
A faint sound reached my ears and I stopped
My gaze shifted toward a door slightly ajar at the end of the hallway.
The sound was coming from inside.
Before I could second-guess myself, I moved closer.
And then I quietly pushed the door open just enough to look inside.
My breath hitched Lucian stood in the center of the room.
He was shirtless, his back to me, his muscles shifting with every controlled movement as he lifted a weight with precise, effortless strength.
For a second, I forgot how to breathe.
His body was strong and defined, I couldn't stop staring, those abs and huge biceps.
Focus Livia
The quiet sound of the weights lowering echoed softly through the room.
I should leave, I knew I should this wasn't something I was meant to see it looked like a private moment and I was here ogling him.
And yet i didn't move.
My eyes traced the lines of his shoulders, the way his muscles flexed with each motion, the quiet control in everything he did.
He didn't rush it waste energy.
I simply watched him completely unaware of everything else.
Until—
"Enjoying the view?"
My heart nearly stopped.
Lucian turned to me fully his gaze locking onto mine instantly.
Heat rushed to my face as I stepped back slightly, my pulse racing.
"I—no—I wasn't—"
The words tangled together, completely useless.
He raised a brow slightly, clearly unconvinced.
"Were you not?"
I swallowed, forcing myself to look away. "I didn't realize you were in here."
A lie.
A very obvious one silence stretched between us.
Then—
"You were looking for me."
It wasn't a question he was just stating a fact, I hesitated then quietly said
"Yes."
Something flickered in his eyes, amusement perhaps.
He set the weight aside, reaching for a towel as he wiped his hands slowly.
"And you found me," he said.
I nodded faintly, still not trusting my voice for a moment, neither of us spoke.
"I didn't know you trained in the mornings," I said finally, my voice softer now.
"There's a lot you don't know," he replied calmly.
That was true'
I shifted slightly, my fingers tightening around the fabric of my robe.
"…Will I?" I asked before I could stop myself.
His gaze lingered on me for a moment long enough to make my heart beat a little faster.
Then he turned his face away
"No."
The answer was simple and short i looked down, nodding slightly.
Of course.
This wasn't that kind of relationship before I could say anything else, the sound of footsteps approached from behind me.
A maid appeared at the doorway, slightly out of breath.
"Sir—"
Lucian's entire demeanor changed instantly like a switch had been flipped.
Without hesitation, he moved fast back to the wheelchair and sat on it.
By the time the maid stepped fully into the room, he was already seated, his posture slightly slouched and his expression distant.
The blind, disabled man had returned.
I stared at him, stunned at how easily he transformed back to his facade It was almost frightening.
"She's here," the maid said softly.
Lucian didn't respond or even move.
Who is she?
I looked up and the click of heels walking this way filled the doorway and it was like everything changed.
I turned and saw a woman I had seen in pictures snd covers.
Helen Kingsley.
She was wearing a white suit with her hair packed in a ponytail , she looked elegant and composed as always..
Her gaze moved past me instantly, landing on Lucian.
And the look in her eyes was not one a mother should ever have for her son.
The look was pure disdain and disgust as she stared at him.
I let out a sigh, the day had just started.
*****