Livia's POV….
The knock came just as I was getting to the good part of my book.
"Miss Livia?"
I turned toward the door, dropping my book.
"Yes?"
A maid stepped in, wearing her uniform, she looked young and very beautiful, she reminded me of Betty, oh I haven't called her back yet.
"Mr. Kingsley has asked for you."
My heart skipped a beat.
"Now?"
"Yes, ma'am ."
I hesitated for a second then I nodded. "Okay."
"What's your name?" I asked her
"Rachel ma'am " she said and walked out
I changed int a black dress and walked out the door and into the hallway leading to his room.
I paused briefly outside the door, my hand hovering before I knocked softly.
"Come in."
His voice was calm and controlled as always, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Lucian was there In his wheelchair but he wasn't alone.
Another man stood near the window, turning slightly as I entered.
My steps slowed down as I turned to face him.
He was tall and well-dressed, he had short blonde hair and he turned to me, His gaze moved over me quickly, like he was assessing me and he was also very handsome.
"So," he said, a faint smile forming, "this is the wife."
I stopped a few steps away, unsure how to respond but Lucian didn't move.
He Just sat there, as if he wasn't even part of the conversation.
The man stepped forward, extending his hand.
"Daniel Hopkinson," he introduced. "Lucian's… unfortunate best friend."
Despite everything, I blinked in mild surprise, who knew Lucian could have best friends .
"…Livia," I said softly, shaking his hand.
"Yeah, I figured," he replied lightly. "You look exactly like the kind of person who didn't sign up for this lifetime of torture with him."
I laughed out loud and Lucian looked at me with a blank expression and I coughed
"Charming laughter for a charming lady" Daniel said
"Daniel," Lucian said quietly in warning.
Daniel lifted his hands slightly in mock surrender. "Right back to business ."
The shift in the room was immediate the lightness disappeared replaced by something more serious.
"Sit," Lucian said.
I obeyed without thinking, moving to the chair across from him.
Daniel remained standing for a moment before walking over to the desk and picking up a thin white folder.
"This," he said, placing it in front of me, "is what your life looks like now."
My fingers hovered over it briefly before I opened it.
It was a contract, of course
My chest tightened slightly as my eyes scanned the first page.
"Before you panic," Daniel added, leaning casually against the desk, "it's not as bad as it looks."
That didn't make me feel better but I kept reading.
Terms of Agreement.
The words stared back at me in clean, precise print.
ONE: Maintain the appearance of a normal marriage.
TWO: Do not disclose any private information regarding Lucian Kingsley.
THREE: Attend public events when required.
FOUR: Follow instructions given for the sake of maintaining appearances.
FIVE: No independent communication with media or external parties regarding the marriage.
My grip on the paper tightened slightly i glanced up at Lucian
"This is… a lot."
"It's necessary," Lucian replied.
His voice was calm.
"This protects both of us."
"And if I don't agree?"
"You already did," he said.
"I'm tired of everyone not giving me the right to choose what I want for myself " I snapped
"Calm down Livia, it's just for protection purposes"
I looked back down at the contract at the life laid out in black and white.
It was all temporary, that was what he said.
Temporary.
I held onto that.
"You'll be taken care of," Daniel added, his tone softer now.
"Financially, socially , you won't be at a disadvantage."
"That's not what I'm worried about," I said quietly.
Daniel watched me for a moment then nodded slightly.
"Fair enough."
I exhaled slowly, my gaze drifting to Lucian he was watching me like he was studying every reaction and for signs of hesitation.
I looked back at the contract at the pen resting neatly beside it, at the life I didn't choose.
But I now had to live, Slowly, I picked up the pen.
"I'll do it," I said softly.
Then I signed.
I signed the contract and looked at Lucian
"Done" I said
Daniel took the contract, flipping through it briefly before nodding.
"Well," he said, straightening slightly, "that was easier than expected."
I didn't respond because there was nothing easy about this.
"Alright," he continued, glancing between us,
"I think that's everything for now."
He turned toward Lucian.
"I'll handle the rest."
Lucian nodded at him
"Good."
Daniel looked back at me, a faint smile returning.
"Try not to regret this too much," he said lightly. "Or at least not all at once."
Despite everything, I almost smiled.
Almost being the key word.
Then he turned and walked toward the door.
"See you around, Mrs. Kingsley."
And just like that he was gone.
The room went silent again, it was just the two of us again.
I sat there for a moment, unsure what to say or What to do.
Until he spoke up
"Come here."
My head lifted.
"What?"
Lucian didn't repeat himself but his gaze didn't waver, I hesitated the stood up.
Slowly, I walked closer, stopping just a few steps away from him.
I was close enough to feel the shockwaves again.
"You agreed too easily," he said.
I frowned slightly.
"Would you have preferred I didn't?"
"That depends."
"On what?"
His gaze held mine.
"On your intentions."
My chest tightened.
"I don't have any hidden intentions," I said quietly.
"That's what most people say."
I exhaled softly.
"I just want to get through this," I admitted. "Like you said… it's temporary."
Something flickered in his expression briefly.
"You believe that?" he asked.
I hesitated then nodded.
"I have to."
Silence stretched between us and I became suddenly aware of how near I was standing to him and how easily he could reach out and wrap his arms around my waist.
Stop it Livia.
"Why didn't you panic?" he asked suddenly.
The question caught me off guard.
"What?"
"Last night," he said. "Most people would have."
I thought about it for a moment then I decided to give him the truth.
"I was scared," I admitted.
His expression didn't change.
"But… panicking wouldn't have helped," I added softly.
Another pause then he smirked at me
"You're strange."
I blinked.
"Is that supposed to be an insult?"
"Not necessarily."
I didn't know how to respond to that so I didn't.
His gaze dropped briefly to my lips before returning to my eyes.
And something shifted in the air, My breath caught slightly, neither of us moved.
He was a very attractive man and I couldn't deny it but could I really risk this?
Lucian leaned back slightly in his chair
"You should rest," he said.
The moment was gone and I nodded faintly.
"…Okay."
I turned to leave, my heart still beating a little faster than before.
But just as I reached the door he called out to me
"We'll be going for the board meeting tomorrow, you'll act as me tomorrow, so get ready because my family can be overwhelming" he said
I nodded and opened the door
"Have a good night " I told him and walked out
****