Lucy’s POV

The wedding was over.

They signed the documents and exchanged vows.

Lucy Henrique had been succeeded with Lucy Thomas.

However, it didn't feel real.

As the shiny black Lamborghini drove past the city of Madrid with a Great speed through the streets, the golden lights of Madrid flashed across the coloured glass like ghosts. Lucy sat firmly in the backseat, her fists gripped in her lap, the diamond ring on her finger choking her.

Bill sat still next to her, his face expressionless as he looked straight ahead. Since they'd left the ceremony, he'd said nothing.

Not "You look lovely." "Welcome to your new life," but not * * Not even an indifferent, icy "Congratulations."

Nothing.

With her throat as parched as sandpaper, Lucy swallowed. There was an intolerable quiet between them.

At last, she questioned, "Are we going to talk about this?"

Bill clenched his teeth, but he avoided eye contact with her. "There is nothing to discuss."

Lucy laughed resentfully. "Really? I'm stuck in a car with a man who obviously hates me after being drugged and coerced into this marriage. It seems like there is a lot to discuss.

Bill remained silent despite his fingers twitching across his knee.

Lucy let out a quick exhale and shook her head. "You still love her, don’t you?" *

There was a response to that. Knuckles whitened as he tightened his hold on his knee. * "This has nothing to do with Maria."

Humorless, she laughed. Maria is in the middle all the time. And you haven't noticed it yet? what she did. What she stole from us both.

His blue eyes blazed with something dark as his head jerked toward her. "Lucy, don't pretend that you're an innocent victim."

She recoiled, like though he had hit her. "This is not what I ever wanted."

Bill rubbed his temple and let out a quick exhale. "Neither did I."

Once more, the oppressive, unyielding silence grew between them.

Lucy pressed her forehead against the chilly windowpane as she turned to face it. Across the city, golden streaks blurred.

Now this was her life.

had a husband who didn't desire her.

-

The Penthouse

The lifter doors opened, unveiling the sleek, modern luxurious of Bill's penthouse. Floor-to-ceiling windows occupied the wide Madrid skyline, a breathtaking view Lucy was too tired to show gratitude.

Bill loosened his necktie, walked inside, and moved down the corridors without a word.

Lucy remained in the doorway, staring at the space before her.

She had envisioned countless possibilities for herself.

One of them was never this.

"You’ll sleep in the guest room."

His words broke through the calmness like a razor. He was standing at the corridor entrance, watching her with a secretive expression on his face when Lucy turned around.

She managed a nod, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Obviously."

Without additional words, she maneuvered and walked to the sitting room. She hit the door behind her, breathing a trembling breath.

Midnight

Lucy stayed awake, looking at the ceiling while a mighty wind of disorganized thoughts raced through her mind.

The penthouse remained calm.

Her world, however, was anything but.

She took off the sheets, covered herself in a silk robe, and lined barefoot to the kitchen. Making herself relax, she got herself a glass of water drank a little.

Then—

A noise.

Actions.

She turned to see Bill had just entered the dimly lit kitchen. His tie was gone, and the first few buttons of his shirt were undone. He had been running his hands over his somewhat disheveled hair.

He appeared exhausted for the first time that night.

His eyes found her. Something flickered in his eyes that he could not read.

He asked, "Couldn't I sleep?"

Lucy gave a headshake. * "You?" *

Bill rubbed the back of his neck and let out a breath. * "I have too much on my mind."

She smiled without humor. * "I wonder why."

There was silence between them.

Then Bill whispered, *"I never wanted this," in a hushed voice.

Lucy felt her heart twist. * "Neither did I."

In a moment neither of them could comprehend, they stood there, suspended.

Then—

Bill took a step forward.

Lucy tensed.

He extended his hand and brushed a flyaway hair away from her face. It was a featherlight touch, but it made her shudder.

She took a deep breath. * "What are you up to?"

Bill's eyes grew gloomy. * "I'm not sure."

Then—

He gave her a kiss.

The Kisis

It was tentative, unsure at first. A conflict between capitulation and retreat.

Lucy's brain begged her to stop.

to shoo him away.

It was a falsehood to remind him of this.

However, her body...

Her body leaned in treacherously.

She drew him in by curling her fingers into his shirt. Heat surged through her veins as his lips pressed harder and more demandingly.

Bill's hands reached her waist and held on to her as though she could vanish.

For a brief moment—

She didn't remember.

The treachery. The falsehoods. The suffering.

Then—

A high-pitched ring broke the silence.

Bill ripped away as if he had been scorched.

Lucy's lips were tingling as she stood there out of breath.

Bill took his phone out.

Lucy's stomach fell when she saw the name flashing on the screen.

Maria.

Bill paused.

Then—

He replied.

He muttered, "Maria,"* quieter than he had all night.

Lucy's insides cracked.

She held on to the counter as Bill talked in a low, personal voice into the phone.

As though she didn't exist at all.

She balled her fists.

Her spouse had fallen in love with someone else.

She also resisted being invisible.

She turned and walked away without saying anything.

The Morning After

Lucy was startled awake by a loud knock on the door.

She rolled over, groggy and hurting from last night's emotional devastation.

Another knock, this one louder.

Bill's voice "Lucy."

She rubbed her cheeks and let out a quick exhale. * "What would you like?" *

"Go downstairs. Something needs your attention.

She paused at something in his tone.

With a mixture of fascination and uneasiness, Lucy pulled on a robe.

When she entered the corridor, Bill was already there, waiting. He stared at her for a little too long before averting his eyes.

"Follow me."

With her heart racing, Lucy did.

She froze as they stepped into the living room.

Rodrigo Henrique, her father, sat on the couch with a blank look on his face.

And opposite him—

Maria.

When Maria spotted Lucy, she grinned. "Good morning, sweetheart."

Lucy felt a knot in her stomach. "What the hell is she doing here?"

Rodrigo got up and adjusted the cuffs on his immaculate suit. "Lucy, have a seat. We must speak.

"I don’t want to talk."

"You have no other option,"* Maria interrupted with ease.

Then Rodrigo said something that made everything fall apart.

"Lucy, your marriage is more than just a personal one. It's business. a billion-dollar agreement between the Henrique Corporation and Thomas Enterprises. It all falls apart if you leave this marriage.

Lucy's entire world shifted. "You coerced me into this... for financial gain?"

Rodrigo had icy eyes. "For power."

Maria smiled sharply as she leaned closer.

"I'm sorry, dear. You appear to be trapped.

Then—

The door exploded.

A grim-faced man in a black suit hurried in.

"Mr. Thomas. An emergency has arisen."*

Bill tensed. "What sort of crisis?”

The man looked at Lucy.

"It’s your mother."

Lucy gasped for air. "My mother?"

The man gave a nod.

"She’s missing."