He was standing in front of her like a devil wrapped in silk and sin.
That tailored suit couldn't hide the fury thrumming beneath his skin.
His eyes, sharp, cold, merciless, sliced right through her, straight to the heart she once tried to protect.
His expression was carved from darkness, twisted with betrayal and something far more dangerous, desire.
She had only wanted to survive.
But instead, she ended up trapped in a love that burned like wildfire, reckless, forbidden, ruinous.
"You loved me," he said, voice low, trembling with fury. "But you married my father?"
His tone was venom, years of pain and hatred poured into words. "Don't feed me some pathetic excuse about doing it for my future. You didn't save me. You destroyed me for a future I never asked for."
She flinched, her eyes closing as if that would soften the weight of his rage.
"Get naked."
Her eyes flew open. She stared. Confused. Disoriented. "W-What?"
He smirked. That same wicked smirk that used to undo her in seconds. His tie slipped from his collar, slow and deliberate.
"Strip," he repeated at a low command. "And get on the bed. I deserve a welcome gift after all."
She stood frozen. Her breath caught between her ribs, her pulse a thunderous rhythm in her ears.
"Lucian-" she began, but the words died on her lips as he took a step forward.
Then another.
And then another.
Until they were inches apart, and his palm caressed her neck, fingers wrapping around.
He leaned down to her ears, giving her chills and trembles. "I came back to reclaim what was always mine, Magdalena. But don't expect that it will be easy because my kisses will no longer give you butterflies, they'll poison you, until you're drained and wrecked."
