Lucy’s POV

The knot in Lucy’s stomach tightened as she scrolled through her phone.

They were everywhere.

"Lucy Henrique: The Gold Digger Who Trapped Madrid’s Billionaire!"

"From Heiress to Schemer: How Lucy Manipulated Bill Thomas Into Marriage."**

"The Shocking Truth Behind Lucy Henrique’s Marriage—Is She After His Fortune?"

Her fingers shook as she scrolled on one of the articles. The screen danced to life, showing a photo of her and Bill on their wedding day.

Only—

The way the media twisted it, it looked like she had forced him into it.

Her throat went dry as she read:

"According to sources close to the Thomas family, Lucy Henrique orchestrated a scandalous seduction to entrap Bill Thomas into marriage. Insiders claim she used deception to secure her legal claim to his wealth. In doing so, Maria Alvarez—the billionaire’s true love—was mercilessly cast aside. So tell us, who’s the real victim here?"

A cold numbness spread through her limbs.

Maria.

It was her.

Of course it was.

A voice cut through her thoughts.

“Lucy.”

The deep timbre made her flinch. She turned.

Bill stood in the doorway, unreadable.

Her voice was hollow. “Have you seen the news?”

His silence was enough.

She let out a bitter laugh. “Of course, you have. Your name’s being dragged through the mud too.”

Bill stepped inside, his expression unreadable. “Did you do this?”

Lucy’s breath paused. “*What?*”

His jaw squeezed. “Did you unveil something to the press?”

Her heart hit against her ribs.

Then she burst out laughing, bitter, disbelieving. “Are you *serious* right now?”

“I have to ask.” His voice was strong.

Lucy’s nails dug into her palms. “And I have to ask—do you *actually* think I did this?”

Bill hesitated.

And that hesitation *burned*.

She took a step back. “You *do* think I did it.” Her voice trembled. “After everything Maria has done, you still believe *me* capable of this?”

Bill exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “The timing is… convenient.”

"Convenient?" Her heart pounded. "Let me get this straight—you think I *married* you for money, and now I’m trying to *publicly destroy you*? How the hell would that benefit me?”

Bill hiss. “Lucy, I don’t know. But someone’s hands is behind this, and if it’s not you—”

“It’s Maria,” she snapped. “And you *know* it.”

Before he could speak, his phone rang. His expression changed as he checked the screen.

Lucy’s stomach twisted. “What?”

Without saying a word, he turned the phone toward her to see for herself.

A video.

Of her.

She was cold waiting to see as she hit play.

The footage was coarse but obvious. Maria and Lucy, standing together at the wedding reception.

Then—

“Maria, Bill doesn’t love me. This marriage? It’s just a business deal.”

The clip stopped.

Lucy’s breath came in sharp, uneven bursts. “That’s not—”

Before she could finish, Bill’s phone dinged again.

A message.

From Maria.

Maria: Darling, looks like you married a liar.*

Lucy’s head spun.

They had trapped her. Twisted her words.

She looked up at Bill, desperation clawing at her throat. “You think I said that and meant it?”

His expression was unreadable. “Then tell me what you meant.”

Rage and frustration crashed over her. “Maria baited me! She made nasty comments about how this marriage wouldn’t last and backed me into a corner. I was *mocking* her! But she—she recorded it and cut out the context!”

Bill studied her, his silence cutting deeper than any accusation.

Lucy’s fists clenched. “You don’t believe me.”

His voice was quiet. “I want to.”

Her breath caught.

"Want to?"

That wasn’t enough.

A loud bang shattered the silence.

The front door slammed open.

A security guard rushed in, pale-faced. “Sir—there’s a crowd outside.”

Lucy stiffened. “What kind of crowd?”

The guard swallowed. “Protesters. Reporters. A lot of them.”

Bill’s eyes darkened. “What the hell—”

His phone dinged again.

Maria.

Maria: Come outside, sweetheart. I have a surprise for you.

Lucy’s stomach dropped.

Bill turned to her. “Stay here.”

“Like hell I will.”

They rushed to the entrance.

And as they stepped outside—

Lucy’s breath hitched.

A sea of people swarmed the gates of the Thomas estate. Signs waved in the air. Cameras flashed. Reporters shoved microphones forward.

"Gold digger!”

"Maria is Bill’s real love!"

"Free Bill Thomas!”

Lucy’s pulse pounded.

But then—

Her blood ran cold.

At the heart of it all, standing on a well decorated stage, was Maria.

With a megaphone.

She raised it to her mouth, her smile sharp and dangerous.

“Tell us, Lucy,” she murmured, her voice carrying over the multitude. “How does it feel to *take* another woman’s man?”

Noise echoed from the crowd. Cameras aimed in on Lucy.

She was *trapped*.

Maria’s grin widened.

Then—

She reached into her purse.

And pulled out a piece of paper.

No—

Not paper.

A pregnancy test.

Lucy’s heart stopped.

Maria waved it high, her eyes gleaming with triumph.

“Oh, and before I forget…” she purred. “I think the world should know—”

Her voice rang out, clear and merciless:

“I’m pregnant.”

She turned to Bill.

“With your child.”

The crowd erupted.

Lucy felt the ground *disappear*.

Bill froze.

Maria?

She just smiled.

Like she had already won.

Lucy’s body went rigid. “Tell them she’s lying.”

Bill didn’t move.

Didn’t speak.

Didn’t deny it.

Maria sighed dramatically. “Oh, poor Lucy. You really thought you could keep him? That he still didn't want me?”

Lucy’s vision blurred with rage. “You betrayed him.”

Maria’s smirk deepened. “And yet—” she took a delicate step closer “—he still came back to me.”

Lucy whipped toward Bill. “Say something.”

The cameras zoomed in on his face.

He hesitated.

Her heart shattered.

Maria’s voice fell with teasing pity. “Oh, I see what’s happening. Bill doesn’t want to disgrace you anymore .” She looked back to the crowd, pressing a hand to her stomach. “But don’t worry, my love. The paternity test is already set to hold. Soon, the whole world will find out the truth.”

Lucy swayed.

The media wouldn’t wait.

The damage was already done.

Bill finally looked at Maria. “When did this happen?”

Maria’s eyes shone. “Oh, darling. Recall that night? After the engagement party? When you needed me?”

Lucy froze.

That was before their marriage.

She turned to Bill, horror dawning. “You—slept with her?”

Bill’s jaw tightened. “I—”

Lucy staggered back.

Maria laughed softly. “Oh, darling. You really thought you were the *only* one?”

The crowd exploded.

Lucy turned and ran.

Blinded by humiliation, by heartbreak.

But as she reached the gates—

A hand grabbed her wrist.

She spun around.

And her breath caught.

Not Bill.

Not a reporter.

A man she never thought she’d see again.

Her past.

Her first love.

Andrés Velasco.

His voice was low, urgent.

“Lucy. We need to talk. Now.”

Her world tilted.

Because Andrés Velasco was the man she had once loved.

And the man who had disappeared.