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Lucian's POV
"Don't move," I groaned, my body pressing dangerously close. She stiffened, then her eyes widened—she felt me.
"You pervert!" Mirabel snapped, shoving me off. She scrambled to her feet, storming out of the room.
I followed, only to find Angelica waiting in the hallway, dressed in a tight, revealing outfit. She struck a pose, smiling smugly.
Mirabel, watching from the corner, smirked at the ridiculous display.
"I'll be leaving now, sir," she said, bowing with mock politeness, her lips curved in amusement.
"Don't you dare leave," I ordered sharply.
"Lucy," Angelica purred, stepping close and latching onto my hand.
"Lucy, l—"
"Leave," I cut her off coldly.
"Lucy, l–work—"
"Don't call me that ever again," I growled, my voice deadly. "Or I'll cut out your tongue."
Angelica's face drained of color. She stammered and bolted, terrified.
Mirabel blinked, caught off guard. Didn't she brag endlessly about their relationship?
"What was that about?" she asked, her tone laced with boredom.
"Angeli—"
"I don't give a fuck about her," she interrupted flatly. "I want to leave."
"You're staying with me tonight."
"What?" she shot back. "I'm not staying with you." She spun on her heel, but the guards blocked her path.
"Move aside!" she demanded.
"Sorry, miss," Steve replied. "We can't let you leave without the boss's permission."
Her eyes blazed, but she stormed back inside.
"Lucian! I want to leave!" she shouted.
"You can't. Not until tomorrow."
"Fine," she huffed. "I don't have the strength to argue. I'll sleep on the couch."
She dropped onto the couch, turning her back on me. I climbed into my bed, pretending to sleep, though every nerve in me was awake.
Minutes later, her breathing slowed. She had fallen asleep.
I rose silently, walking toward her. My gaze softened. Such a stubborn woman. Now I know for sure… I love her. She's mine. No one will ever touch her. Not now, not ever.
I brushed my fingers across her face, careful not to wake her. I was blind, heartless. I humiliated her—announcing her as my maid, not my fiancée. What a fool I've been.
Leaning close, I whispered into her ear, "I'm sorry, Mirabel. Sorry for everything. Please… forgive me."
I lifted her gently and carried her to my bed. Laying her beside me, I bent down and pressed a kiss to her lips before wrapping my arms around her, holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world.
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Morning
Mirabel stirred, groaning softly. Then she froze. Strong arms were wrapped around her waist, pulling her against a hard, warm chest.
She turned her head—and her eyes went wide.
"Good morning, baby," I whispered.
Shock painted her face. "Why am I in your bed? And why are you calling me baby?"
"The couch was uncomfortable. I brought you here. And is it wrong for me to call you that?"
"Yes, it's wrong. I don't like it. Did I complain that the couch was uncomfortable?" she shot back.
I swallowed my fury, forcing myself calm. Don't lose her. Baby steps.
"You don't need to work today. I'll assign other maids."
She frowned. "Have you forgotten? I am a maid. That's my job."
"From today onward, you're not just a maid. You're my personal maid. No one can order you around except me."
Her eyes darkened, hurt spilling out. "No. I can't. Being a maid already feels like living in hell—I won't chain myself to you."
Shit… I made her angry again.
"Fine," I breathed. "If not my maid… then my fiancée."
She froze, staring at me.
But then her words cut like blades.
"No. Why would I ever be your fiancée… or your maid? Look at me. No one would believe I'm from a noble family anymore. I'm just a maid. And I'll never be yours."
Her voice trembled with rage and despair.
And for the first time, real pain seared my chest. Her rejection stabbed deeper than any wound I'd ever taken.
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🕳💖🕳💖
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