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    Chapter b105 /b

    ALINA’S POV

    I spent the next few weeks ignoring everyone and burying myself in work.

    55 vouchers

    I hadn’t really spoken to Talia either since thest time, nor had I told her about the conversation I overheard between Lucian and Ace.

    I usually locked myself away in the home studio sketching for hours, only sneaking into the bedroom when I was absolutely certain Lucian was fast asleep.

    Call me a coward, I didn’t care. I couldn’t face him. Every time I saw his face, every time his scent lingered too close, I was reminded of his betrayal… and it stung afresh each time.

    This morning was no different. I had just woken up, and, as always, Lucian wasn’t in the room,thankfully. He had probably already left for work, like he always did.

    I stepped into the bathroom, my movements sluggish. The cold water from the shower did little to wash away the exhaustion that clung to my bones.

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    After drying off, I walked into the closet and reached for my outfit. I was distracted, responding to a text Louis had sent me,he wanted an update on fabric selection for the new client.

    I didn’t notice the figure standing in front of me until I collided, smack, into a hard chest.

    Startled, I gasped, and before I could stumble back, Lucian’s hands shot out, gripping my arms gently but firmly to steady me.

    His familiar scent made my skin prickle.

    “What are you doing here?” bI /bblurted out, my voice sharp with surprise.

    He arched a browi. /i“I live here.”

    “I mean… I thought you already left for work.” I muttered, walking around him quickly andying my outfit on the bed before moving over to the vanity table to start my skincare routine.

    “I was in my study.” He replied, his tone unreadable.

    “Oh.” I said, not daring to meet his eyes in the mirror.

    “You’ve been avoiding me.” He stated in a matter of fact tone.

    “I haven’t. I’ve just been busy.” I kept my gaze low, pretending to focus on patting serum into

    my

    skin.

    “Oh?” He scoffed. “So you haven’t been intentionally spending most nights behind your studio doors and only sneaking in when you think I’m asleep?”

    So he’d noticed. He hadn’t been asleep at all. I swallowed the tightness in my throat.

    b17:53 /bbThu/bb, /bbSep /bb18 /bbN /b

    “I don’t know what you’re using me of, but I’ve honestly just been busy.” I stuck to my excuse.

    55 vouchers

    “I’ve been putting up with your attitude ever since you stayed over at your friend’s,” he said, voice heavy with restrained frustration. “I figured you needed space and would talk to me when you were ready. But clearly, I overestimated you. Because from my stand point you’ve made it very clear you have no intention of talking to me at all.”

    “There’s nothing wrong, Lucian. I just have a lot on my te right now.” I replied, continuing to tap cream onto my face, my tone passive, rehearsed.

    “Bullshit!” He snapped, his voice suddenly sharp, cutting through the room like ss. “What is going on with you? Did I do something wrong?b” /b

    I clenched my jaw so tight it ached. He dared to ask if he did something wrong? He was pretending to care after sabotaging my efforts.

    “What happened tomunicating with each other, huh?” He asked again, his voiceced with disappointment.

    My hands froze mid–motion. “Well, that flew out the window the moment you went back on your word about talking to me before making decisions that concern me.” I said bitterly, finally standing to face him.

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    “What are you talking about?” His brows furrowed.

    “Did you give Adrian the Fairview project?” I asked, staring directly at him, searching for any sign of guilt.

    He hesitated. Just for a second. But it was enough. “Yes.” He admitted.

    My chest tightened painfully as the words mmed into me. I fought back the tears that were already stinging the corners of my eyes.

    “Why?” I asked, my voice low, but steady.

    “Well, you’ve been wanting me to give it to him for the longest time now… so I decided to.” He replied, his face devoid of emotion.

    “Are you kidding me?b” /bbI /bscoffed bitterly. “I have been asking, threatening you even, and you never did. But the moment I stop asking, suddenly, you give it to him? And without talking to me about it first? You promised, Lucian. You promised not to make any decisions that concern me without discussing them with me first. And now you stand there lecturing me aboutmunication?”

    “Alina-”

    “I know you don’t trust me,” I cut him off, voice rising with each word. “And heaven knows I’ve been trying to prove myself, to make this work… to be worthy of the second chance. But you go and pull something like this, and it makes me wonder, do you really want me to be with you? Or do you think I belong with Adrian?”

    His bjaw /btightened.

    “I have told you countless times that I do not love Adrian anymore and it’s you I choose byet /byou made a decision for me based on your own assumptions. Do you know how hurt I felt when I found out?”

    b17:54 /bbThu/b, bSep /b18 N

    :

    “Doll, there’s an exnation for that.” He said, a flicker of guilt in his eyes as he reached for me.

    b53 /b

    55 vouchers

    “Then by all means, tell me.” bI /bsaid, crossing my arms tightly against my chest. I was tired of waiting, tired of wondering.

    I wanted the truth.

    I knew there was more to this than what he was telling me and I honestly want him to exin. I was sure if he did, I would get a better understanding of the conversation I overheard between him and Ace.

    “You just have to trust me Doll.” His tone was pleading.

    Trust? trust? He was talking about trust when he doesn’t even trust me. How can I trust him after what I heard? I tried toe up with an excuse for him or a logical exnation for what I heard but I came up with nothing.

    “Tell me, Lucian.” I didn’t relent.

    He opened his mouth… then closed it. Opened it again. Nothing came out.

    Then his phone rang.

    Our eyes stayed locked as he answered.

    “Talk to me.” He said into the receiver.

    There was a long pause. His expression darkened instantly.

    “What?! I’m on my way.” He said sharply and ended the call without another word.

    “Doll… let’s have this conversation when I return, please.” His voice was softer now, eyes pleadingas he waited for my response.

    I stared at him, silently begging him to stay, to say something, anything, that could exin what I had overheard. Something that could erase the sting in my

    chest.

    But he didn’t.

    “I’ll see you tonight.” He muttered Instead, leaned forward, pressed a kiss to my forehead, and walked out.

    Leaving me standing there. Motionless. Silent tears finally streaming down my cheeks.

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