Lucian's POV…..
The door clicked shut behind her, I didn't mean to be rude but she was asking so many questions I wasn't ready to answer.
I was alone now and everywhere was silent.
Silence followed.
I stood there, exactly where she had left me, my gaze fixed on the closed door, my mind running through everything that had just happened.
Livia Virelli.
She would be the death of me, one day here and she was already making me a mess.
A slow breath left my lungs as I ran a hand through my hair,the tension settling in my shoulders.
She had seen too much, far more than anyone outside my inner circle was ever supposed to.
And yet…My jaw tightened slightly.
I had this strange feeling of trust which I hated.
I didn't know if that made her dangerous or useful, I hadn't decided which yet.
I turned away from the door and walked toward the desk near the far wall, picking up my phone without hesitation.
There was only one person I needed to speak to.
The call connected after two rings.
"Well," Daniel's voice came through, light, almost amused.
"That was fast. I thought you'd at least survive your honeymoon before calling me for help."
"Cut the crap" I said and he chuckled
"Come over," I said.
He was silent for a while then his tone shifted.
"…That bad?"
"Now, Daniel."
"On my way."
The line went dead.
By the time Daniel arrived, I was already seated in the wheelchair again, I didn't necessarily need to but I wanted to.
He slammed open the door like he always did snd i sighed.
"Wow," Daniel said as he stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over the room before landing on me.
"New wife but same old dramatic energy."
He shut the door behind him and walked closer, his hands in his pockets and his eyes sharp despite the playful tone.
Then he stopped and looked at me properly.
"You look terrible," he added.
"I'm fine."
"That's usually how I know you're not."
I didn't respond.
Daniel sighed, running a hand through his hair before dropping into the chair across from me.
"So," he said, leaning forward slightly, "tell me everything."
I held his gaze for a moment then
"She knows."
Silence, Daniel blinked once.
"…I'm sorry, what?"
"She knows I can walk and see" I said evenly.
The shift in his expression was immediate, all traces of humor were gone and he was back into business mode.
"Start from the beginning," he said.
I told him everything in details .
Daniel listened without interrupting, his expression growing more serious with every word.
When I finished, he leaned back slowly, exhaling under his breath.
"…That's a problem."
"I'm aware."
He studied me for a moment.
"And you're sure she won't talk?"
"I gave her a reason not to."
Daniel raised a brow slightly. "That sounds reassuring."
"It's enough."
Another pause then
"And what do you plan to do about her?"
The question hung in the air, it was a simple one,but I had no answer.
Because the truth was I was still deciding.
"She's not part of the plan," I said finally.
Daniel nodded once. "That much is obvious."
"She wasn't supposed to be the bride."
"Also obvious."
I ignored the comment.
"But now she's here," I continued. "Which means she either becomes an asset… or a liability."
Daniel's gaze sharpened slightly.
"And which one is she?"
A beat of silence passed then I looked at him
"Undetermined."
That got a reaction, Daniel leaned forward again, resting his elbows on his knees as he studied me more closely.
"You don't sound concerned."
"I am."
"But not enough to remove the risk."
My eyes flicked to his.
"That depends on the level of risk."
Daniel held my gaze and then he sighed —
"You're considering keeping her."
I knew he wasn't asking a question so I didn't deny it.
"She handled the situation better than expected," I said.
"She didn't panic or ask unnecessary questions."
"Congratulations," Daniel muttered dryly. "You married someone with common sense."
"It's more than that."
He went quiet waiting for more reasons
"She adapts quickly," I added. "And she listens."
Daniel tilted his head slightly.
"…And?"
"It makes her useful," I finished.
Daniel watched me for a moment longer and then nodded slowly.
"Alright," he said. "So we don't get rid of her."
"Not yet."
"Which means we manage her."
"Yes."
He leaned back again, exhaling softly.
"Fine," he said. "We keep her close, Limit what she knows and control the situation."
"That's the idea."
A brief silence followed then Daniel's expression shifted again.
"Speaking of control," he said, "your mother."
My jaw tightened.
"What about her?"
"She's making moves."
Of course she was.
"When isn't she?"
Daniel ignored that.
"There's a board meeting tomorrow," he said. "Victor's pushing for more influence. Trying to position himself as the active decision-maker."
My expression didn't change but I was hung on every word he was saying
"And?"
"And your absence isn't helping," he replied. "They're using it as a way to frame you as incapable."
He looked at me and said more quietly
"As expected."
Of course that was always part of their plan to paint me as weak and remove me from the board.
They wanted to take everything while I sat in silence.
My fingers tightened slightly against the arm of the wheelchair.
"Let them," I said.
Daniel frowned.
"You're serious?"
"Yes."
"They're getting power, Lucian."
"I know."
"Then why—"
"Because they're getting comfortable," I cut in.
Daniel studied me for a moment and understanding slowly settling in.
"You're letting them build confidence," he said.
"Yes."
"So when you move—"
"They won't see it coming."
A slow smile spread across his face.
"There it is," he murmured. "That's the part I was waiting for."
I didn't react.
"When do you plan to step in?" he asked.
"Soon."
"How soon?"
I met his gaze.
"Soon enough."
Daniel exhaled, shaking his head slightly.
"You're playing a dangerous game."
"I always do."
"That's not reassuring."
"It's not meant to be."
He huffed out a quiet laugh.
"Fair."
"And the wife?" he asked again.
My gaze shifted briefly toward the door.
"She stays," I said.
"For now."
Daniel nodded.
"And tomorrow?"
"She stays out of it."
"Good luck with that."
My eyes flicked back to his.
"She doesn't need to be involved."
"Maybe not," he said. "But if your mother decides to test her—"
"She won't break." I said suddenly
The words came out before I could stop them, Daniel went still then turned to me slowly
"…You sound sure."
I didn't respond because I wasn't sure where that certainty came from or why it was there at all.
A moment passed then Daniel stood up
"Well," he said, stretching slightly, "this just got a lot more interesting."
I didn't argue with that.
He moved toward the door, pausing just before opening it.
"Oh," he added casually, glancing back at me, "I like her already."
I didn't react but something in my expression must have shifted because he smirked.
"Relax," he said. "I won't steal your wife."
"Get out, Daniel."
He laughed under his breath and opened the door.
"Try not to scare her off before I meet her properly," he added as he stepped out.
"I have an idea" I said suddenly
He turned to me
"Spill" he said
"It has something to do with the wife" I said
Daniel smirked at me and I glared back
****