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"That's how I ended up here," Mirabel finished, her voice low and trembling. "If my grandfather ever finds out what my father did… you know what he would do. If I wanted to escape, I would have done it already. But I just wanted to start over, even for a short time. My brother gave me two months, though I told him three. I already called him not to worry, not to tell Grandpa anything. So answer me, Lucian—do you think my father would ever be happy that I'm still alive? Has he ever loved me?"
Lucian's chest ached with every word she spoke. He pulled her into his arms without thinking.
"I watched my mum die right in front of me," Mirabel whispered into his chest. "Beaten to death by my father and stepmother."
Lucian's grip tightened around her. Pain burned through him as if her suffering were his own. She's endured hell… and I was blind enough to hurt her too.
"I'm sorry," Lucian murmured, his voice rough.
Mirabel blinked, caught off guard. "Sorry? For what?"
"For everything I did to you," he admitted, his head bowed.
She shook her head gently. "No, Lucian. Don't blame yourself. It's not your fault—it's his. My father's. I forgive you." She smiled faintly, her strength disarming him.
"But—"
"No buts. I forgive you."
Before he could reply, she leaned up and kissed him. A fleeting kiss, soft and unexpected. She pulled away quickly, not even giving him the chance to respond.
"Mirabel, I lo—"
"Sir, your sister is here," a servant interrupted.
Lucian groaned in his mind. Why now? "Tell her to come back later."
"She insists, sir. Says she won't leave until she speaks with you."
He clenched his jaw. "Fine. Let her in."
Mirabel stood, startled as the door opened.
"Brother, why—" Daisy's voice trailed when her eyes landed on Mirabel. Her smile soured instantly. "Leave. I want to speak with my brother in private."
Mirabel turned to go, but Lucian's voice stopped her. "Don't leave. Daisy, whatever you want to say, say it in front of her and be done."
"Brother—" Daisy whined.
"You either speak, or you leave."
"Fine." Daisy crossed her arms, shooting Mirabel a sharp look. Something about her face tickled Mirabel's memory, but she couldn't place where they had met before.
"You probably don't read the news," Daisy began smugly, "but tomorrow I'm having a party. Here, in this house."
"What for?" Lucian asked flatly.
"For your information, brother, it's my birthday."
Lucian didn't react. No smile, no acknowledgment. Daisy's lips curled. "Some brother you are. You can't even wish me well."
He ignored her.
"Anyway," she continued, "there will be many CEOs attending. You must be there. Oh—and Mum and Dad are coming too."
Lucian's expression darkened. "Why would they come?"
"I don't know. Maybe to introduce you to someone important. Either way, there's no escaping—you'd better show up." Daisy smirked and swept out.
Lucian's teeth ground together.
Mirabel's heart skipped. If Mum and Dad are coming… that means someone important is. Could it be my brother? No… I told him to stay put. It's still a week away. Damn it.
She stood quickly. "Lucian, I think I'll be taking a day off tomorrow after all. Don't worry, I'm not running away. I'll come back."
"And where exactly are you going?" Lucian's tone was sharp, displeased.
"That's none of your business, Lucian. I told you before, if I wanted to escape, I would have done it already. I know your master owns you two hundred million dollars—but I could pay you that myself without my grandfather or brother lifting a finger. Two hundred million is nothing to me. That's barely half my furniture money." She waved lightly, almost teasing.
Her smile was casual, but Lucian's mind froze.
She had said it like it was pocket change.
Her grandfather and brother constantly sent her money, each competing to outdo the other. On top of that, her own modeling career in Las Vegas had earned her a personal net worth of 100.5 billion.
Lucian's face remained unreadable, but his heart raced. As soon as she left the room, he called his assistant, his voice cold.
"Find out everything about Mirabel King. You have two hours. Report back to me immediately."
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