CHAPTER 74: SHATTERED ASSUMPTIONS

Adrian quickly pulled his pants up.

Ash’s mother walked in, placed the tray on the desk, then sat at the edge of the bed, breathing heavily, still in shock.

"I guessed it all," she said quietly, her voice trembling, "but I couldn’t admit it. Now I’ve witnessed it with my own eyes."

She looked straight at Ash. "I guess Lucien knows this too."

Ash stayed silent.

She swallowed hard, then said, "I won’t talk more right now. Tomorrow morning we’ll go to Lucien’s place. I need to hear it all."

She stood up, straightening her dress. "Ash, eat your food," she said, then turned to Adrian. "And you, you should go to your room.."

She paused for a moment, her voice shaking with anger and heartbreak. "If I’m not mistaken, the guestroom, since you don’t want to put your d*ck in your wife’s p*ssy, but my son’s butt."

Adrian walked out quietly, his head lowered, and Ash’s mother followed behind him, closing the door softly.

Ash sat on the bed, breathing deeply, his eyes fixed on the door. After a long silence, he let out a faint, tired laugh and muttered, "Mother...that was just a small one. The big surprise is still waiting for you to hear."

...

Meanwhile, at Lucien’s apartment, Lucien sat on the couch, sipping wine, while Stephene lounged beside him, a glass in hand too.

Lucien glanced at him and said calmly, "You’re hurting yourself, Steve. You should try opening your heart to someone else. As for me; I’m already taken. Not by one, but by two."

Stephene gave a short smirk. "I’ll step back when you make it official in public."

Lucien sighed, swirling his wine slowly. "Is there even a need? Being pregnant is already proof enough."

Stephene leaned back lazily. "Pregnant doesn’t mean much. I could claim it’s mine, and the baby could even take my surname."

Lucien chuckled dryly. "Adrian would tear you apart for saying that...and Ash..."

Stephene interrupted, rolling his eyes. "Ah, what could that tiny omega even do to me? I’m not scared. Maybe of Adrian, yes. But if you’d accept me as your darling, I wouldn’t be scared of anyone anymore."

Lucien just sighed, looking drained from the conversation.

Then Stephene said casually, "By the way, I transferred one million dollars to your account. I saw one of the bathtubs in your hotel got damaged."

Lucien frowned, setting down his glass. "There was no need for that. I could’ve handled it myself."

Stephene smirked. "Come on, let your sugar daddy spoil you a little."

Lucien rolled his eyes, standing up and stretching slightly. "I’m off to bed."

Stephene tilted his head. "Can I come over?"

"No," Lucien replied flatly. "Sleep on the couch, or the guestroom. And this is the only night you’re staying here. If your house loses power again, go to a hotel instead."

The next morning, Lucien woke to find Stephene already up; he had showered, prepared breakfast, and was now sitting at the dining table, waiting for him.

Rubbing his eyes, Lucien walked toward him. "You should put some clothes on," he said.

Stephene smirked. "Are you implying I’m naked? Don’t you see I’ve got shorts on?"

Lucien sighed and took a seat, glancing at the breakfast. "I doubt your house loses power...all this effort, waking up, making breakfast for me, like it was planned. Enjoying your stay here, I see?"

Stephene chuckled softly, serving some food onto Lucien’s plate.

A knock at the door interrupted them.

Lucien frowned. "Who could it be this early?"

Stephene got up. "Let me check."

He opened the door, and after a moment, called back, "Darling, there’s a woman asking for you."

Lucien muttered under his breath, "A woman?...and I warned you not to call me that," before heading toward the door.

As he reached it, he froze, Ash’s mother stood there, her expression sharp with anger. Before he could speak, she pointed at Stephene. "What is he doing here?"

Stephene blurted, "Hey, woman, what kind of question is that? Don’t you see we’re a couple? Just tell us what brings you in our place."

Lucien’s eyes widened at Stephene’s words. Before he could respond, Ash’s mother slapped him hard across the face.

Ash and Adrian arrived at the sound, both staring in shock.

Stephene, stunned, looked at Ash’s mother. "Why did you slap my boyfriend?"

Lucien held his cheek, glaring at Stephene in disbelief. "Can you shut your foul mouth for a moment? You’re speaking to Adrian’s stepmother!"

Stephene, still shocked, stammered, "I-I’m sorry...I didn’t know."

Ash’s mother turned to Lucien. "I thought those trending gossips were just rumors...so it’s true. You’ve been cheating on my son."

Before Lucien could respond, she added, "From now on, stay away from my son...and he’s calling off the engagement."

She turned, taking Ash’s hand and pulling him away, leaving Adrian glaring at them.

Lucien stepped closer to Adrian, holding his hands. "Adrian, it’s not what it seems. Believe me."

Adrian’s eyes blazed as he moved from Lucien to Stephene, shoving him. "You bastard! You’ve made everything worse for us. You could have stayed abroad! Coming here, you interfered with our lives."

Stephene, rising from the fall, muttered, "I’ll step back when you make it official."

Adrian shoved him again. "Don’t you know how to give up?"

Lucien stepped forward, firm, placing himself between them and glancing at Stephene. "I think...you should leave."

Stephene hesitated, but Lucien pressed, "Please..."

Stephene finally rushed inside, putting on his clothes and shoes. He passed by Lucien and Adrian at the door, leaving in a huff.

Lucien and Adrian stood in silence for a moment. Then Lucien’s shoulders sagged, tears spilling down his cheeks. "Ash’s mother...she’s going to make him call off our engagement. Adrian, you have to help me. Please...tell her it’s a misunderstanding."

Adrian expression softened, but there was a tension in his voice. "I’m in trouble too, Lucien."

Lucien’s eyes went wide. "Why? What did you do?"

Adrian exhaled, his tone low. "She caught me and Ash red-handed."

Lucien’s heart skipped. "Red-handed? How?"

Adrian swallowed hard. "My...d*ck inside Ash’s mouth."

Lucien froze, then gasped. "You’re really in trouble."

Adrian nodded, a faint, rueful smile on his lips. "Yeah. But it’s not hopeless. I’ll talk to her once she calms down."

He opened his arms, and Lucien stepped into them, trembling slightly. Adrian held him tightly, his voice soft but firm. "We’ve come too far with Ash to let him go. Whatever happens, we face it together."

...

Ash sat tensely in the passenger seat as his mother drove, her hands gripping the wheel tightly. The silence stretched, heavy with unspoken anger, until Ash finally broke it.

"Mother...I think you’ve misunderstood the situation," he said cautiously. "Lucien isn’t that kind of person."

His mother’s eyes narrowed sharply.

"Misunderstood? Ash, you saw it yourself. That Enigma, half-naked, only in shorts, and that’s the same Enigma who has a history with him. How do you expect me to believe they can share the same house without...without something happening?"

Ash swallowed hard. "I know, but..."

"You know nothing!" she snapped, her voice rising. "That’s why you’re involved with Adrian, knowing he’s your brother and also married to Celeste. What kind of morals is that? Did I or your grandmother teach you this?"

Ash’s throat tightened. "Mother...but I love him. I love Adrian so much..."

"Stop, Ash!" she cut in sharply.

"I do! I can’t lie about it! he shouted, voice cracking.

She slammed a hand on the steering wheel. "I don’t care. You’re going to call off the engagement with Lucien...and you’re going to break things off with Adrian."

Ash’s chest heaved, tears spilling down his cheeks. "It’s too late!" he cried, his voice raw. "I’m already pregnant with Adrian’s child...and Lucien’s carrying mine!"

His mother’s eyes widened, shock and fury flashing across her face. She pressed the brakes hard, and the car screeched to a halt on the side of the road.