“She’s My Wife on Paper, Nothing More” — The Crime Lord Laughed… Not Knowing She Heard Every Word
Chapter 3
Clara never reached home.
Before sunrise, the carriage was stopped on the forest road.
Two riders blocked the path.
The coachman reached for his pistol.
A shot cracked through the trees.
He fell.
Clara screamed.
The carriage door opened.
A masked man grabbed her arm.
“Come with us.”
She fought.
Then another shot sounded.
The man holding her collapsed.
Lucian appeared through the rain.
He moved like a shadow.
Three men fell before Clara understood what was happening.
The remaining attacker fled.
Lucian reached the carriage.
“Are you hurt?”
Clara stared at him.
“No.”
“Good.”
He reached for her.
She pulled away.
“You don’t get to do this.”
“Do what?”
“Pretend you care now.”
His expression tightened.
“I never pretended.”
“You called me useful.”
His eyes changed.
“Where did you hear that?”
“In your study.”
Lucian looked toward Elias.
Then back at her.
“Come home.”
“No.”
“Clara.”
“No.”
She stepped toward him.
“You married me because my name opened doors.”
“Yes.”
The answer stunned her.
He continued.
“But that wasn’t the whole reason.”
“What was the rest?”
Lucian looked around at the bodies.
“Not here.”
She stared at him.
“I am tired of being protected by secrets.”
He lowered his voice.
“You are alive because of those secrets.”
Clara looked at the dead men.
“Who were they?”
“Men who were paid to take you.”
“By whom?”
Lucian said nothing.
“By my father?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
He looked at her.
“Someone you trust.”
Clara felt a chill.
“Who?”
Lucian stepped closer.
“Your brother.”
