---
"I made you suffer, and I still regret it. If I hadn't done those things, you and I would have been together all this time—raising our kids together. But now… none of that matters." Lucian cupped her cheek gently. "What matters is that I love you, and you love me back. That's all I need."
Mirabel blushed, her lips curving softly. "I love you too." She leaned into his chest, hugging him tight. He held her close, their hearts finally beating in sync.
But the tender moment shattered with a piercing scream.
"What the hell do you think you're doing with my fiancé?!"
Clara stormed into the room, her fury burning like wildfire. The guests gasped, turning their heads. Phones lifted instantly, cameras flashing.
Mirabel's face drained of color. She lowered her head, hiding against the table, terrified of recognition. One photo, one video—her reputation would be in ruins.
Clara's heels clicked furiously against the floor as she marched closer. She didn't even spare Lucian a glance.
"How dare you!" she spat. "Of all the men in this world, you had the audacity to go after mine? You filthy thing!"
The crowd's whispers hissed around her like knives.
🗣️ How could she go after someone else's fiancé?
🗣️ Shameless.
🗣️ She must be a prostitute.
🗣️ Homewrecker.
Each word stabbed deeper. Mirabel's hands trembled. They're right. I knew he was engaged, but I still confessed. I'm no better than my father… What have I done? I have to leave. I can't face this.
"Hey! I'm talking to you, slut!" Clara shrieked, grabbing Mirabel's hair and yanking her head up.
Mirabel gasped, covering her face desperately as Clara hissed, "You little piece of shit." Her palm cracked across Mirabel's cheek, sending her sprawling to the ground.
Tears burned down her face. She stayed there, stunned, bracing against the floor as her body shook.
"Mirabel!" Lucian's voice thundered. He rushed to her, stripping off his jacket and draping it over her head to shield her face. His hand wrapped around her arm, steadying her to her feet.
Clara lunged again, but Lucian caught her wrist mid-air. His voice cut like steel. "That's enough."
Mirabel used the moment to slip away, stumbling toward the door.
"You better run, bitch!" Clara shouted after her.
Lucian's blood boiled. Every instinct screamed to follow Mirabel, to protect her. But first, he had to deal with this woman.
He dragged Clara away, shoving her into their room. The door slammed shut behind them.
"What the fuck was that?!" Lucian roared, raking a hand through his hair.
"Lucian, I—"
He cut her off, his voice shaking with fury. "This relationship is over."
Her face went pale. "You can't mean that! You can't end us over her! That slut—"
In a flash, he had her chin in a crushing grip, forcing her to meet his eyes. His gaze was lethal.
"If you ever call her that again, you'll regret it." He shoved her away with disgust.
Without another word, he strode to the wardrobe and began yanking his clothes from the hangers, his decision final.
---