PROLOGUE – Zara’s POV
Antoinette and I found ourselves perched on stools in a dimly lit bar, the lively hum of music and clinking glasses filling the air. It was the ideal spot to unwind and let go of the day's stress.
As we sipped our drinks, Antoinette began chatting about men. The more the alcohol warmed my insides, the easier laughter came, and my concerns seemed to dissolve like winter frost under the spring sun. We were thoroughly enjoying our night out, but then something—or rather, someone—caught my eye.
Lucas Blackwood, the man I'd been crushing on since college, had just walked in. My heart fluttered wildly as I watched him stride in, his brooding eyes scanning the room. He looked worn out and, more noticeably, unhappy. I'd never seen him so downcast before, and I couldn't help but wonder what had happened.
“Zara, are you okay?” Antoinette's voice was a faint echo, drowned out by the rapid pounding of my heart.
“Y-yes, I'm fine,” I managed to stutter out, though my voice hardly masked the rush of adrenaline.
I stole another glance at Lucas. He was now seated at the far end of the bar, a drink served but untouched in front of him. Even though I'd never managed to capture his heart, seeing him upset felt like a persistent itch, impossible to ignore.
“Zara! Look!” Antoinette exclaimed.
Antoinette's voice jolted me out of my reverie as she casually pointed out Lucas's presence. I offered a nonchalant smile, not wanting her to know I'd been observing him since his arrival.
“Now's your chance, girl. Go and talk to him. He seems to be alone,” Antoinette nudged.
“No way,” I retorted, well aware of Lucas's model girlfriend, Giselle. I had no intention of flirting with a man who was taken. “What about you?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Don't worry about me. Remember, this bar is my cousin's place. I won't be alone,” she reassured.
The thought of approaching Lucas was daunting. It had been a while since we last saw each other, and I feared he might dismiss me with a mere flick of his hand. That would be mortifying.
“I'll be right back,” I mumbled to Antoinette, my legs carrying me towards Lucas before I could second-guess myself. The alcohol had emboldened me, making me feel invincible. Without another thought, I slid onto the stool next to him.
“Zara Delafontaine? What are you doing here?” he inquired.
His use of my full name surprised me. He remembered me. “Hello, Lucas Blackwood,” I replied, a grin tugging at my lips. He shifted his gaze from his drink to me.
“Please leave,” he stated abruptly.
“Is everything okay?” I asked, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it.
“Just a rough day. I'm fine. I just need a drink...or more,” he replied.
“Lucky for you, I'm an expert at turning bad days around,” I informed him, eliciting a chuckle.
“Are you alone?” he asked after a sip of his drink.
“No, I'm with Antoinette, but she had to step out,” I fibbed. As he scanned the bar, I grew nervous. When he narrowed his eyes, I resisted the urge to check where Antoinette and I had been sitting. Luckily, she was nowhere in sight. She probably went to chat with her cousin.
As the night progressed, Lucas and I engaged in deep conversation, and I found myself flirting with him unabashedly. The bar faded into the background as we got lost in our exchange. The alcohol-fueled night had taken an unexpected turn.
We talked, laughed, and with every passing moment, my heart felt more alive. Somehow, my hand found its way to his thigh. It was a subtle touch, almost unconscious. His eyes flickered, and his expression was unreadable. With that simple touch, I sensed a shift in him, and the tension between us grew palpable.
“Let's go,” he said suddenly, grabbing my hand.
I hesitated as he led me towards the exit, thinking of Antoinette. But then it hit me: I might never get another chance to be with Lucas Blackwood. So, I followed him, not looking back or worrying about Antoinette.
Stepping outside the bar, Lucas led me to his car. Without questioning his intentions, I slid into the passenger seat as he held the door open for me. As he started the car, I stole a glance at his chiseled jawline, illuminated by the city lights.
The night sky was streaked with vibrant hues from the city below, and I felt like I was in a dream. Everything was too perfect to be real. The engine hummed to life, and we pulled away from the bar.
Soon, we arrived at a towering penthouse. Lucas helped me out of the car and led me into his private sanctuary.
“Come in,” he said, his voice low and inviting. I stepped inside, instantly awestruck by the opulence of his home. It was magnificent, from the luxurious furniture to the grand bed that dominated the room. His masculine scent lingered in the air, a fragrance I had always loved.
“Lucas, when did your voice become so deep?” I asked, my gaze lingering on the bed. The soft lighting accentuated the room's lavishness, and I couldn't help but feel drawn to it.
“Lucas,” I called out again, moving closer to the bed. The effects of the alcohol were making me feel warm, so I started adjusting my clothes to cool down.
Suddenly, the sound of running water caught my attention. Lucas was in the shower. I waited, a playful grin on my face.
When he emerged, the sight of his well-defined muscles, glistening with water, made my heart race. He was breathtaking. Catching my eye, I blurted out, “I'm feeling hot... I want to undress right now.” Surprised by my own words, I collapsed onto the floor. Lucas rushed to my side, extending his hand to help me up.
“Lucas,” I murmured, wrapping my arm around his neck.
“Rest for a couple of minutes. I will take you home later. Perhaps, do you need a shower? You are sweating,” he observed.
“Yes, please,” I replied, allowing him to lead me to the bathroom for a cold shower.
But the shower didn't help. I was still drunk. Emerging from the bathroom, the sweet fragrance of the evening air mixed with the aroma of wine enveloped me. Everything felt hazy and surreal. I tried to make sense of the situation, but my thoughts were clouded with confusion.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Lucas asked.
I wanted to reply, but my mind was a whirl of sensations. His words felt distant, as if they were coming from another world. A giggle escaped my lips as I tried to focus on his face, my senses heightened by the intoxicating atmosphere.
“What do you think you're doing right now?” he asked again.
“I feel hot and uncomfortable, Lucas,” I managed to say, my voice barely a whisper. Leaning into him, I pressed my face against his chest, a wave of comfort washing over me. With my eyes closed, I let the moment carry me away. As I clung to him, a silent yearning for his touch took hold of me.
“You're drunk, Zara,” he pointed out.
My body was warm, and alcohol coursed through my veins like liquid fire. My thoughts were scattered, making it difficult to piece everything together.
“Kiss me, Lucas,” I found myself begging, the words tumbling out without thought. “Please, Lucas Blackwood, let's do this,” I mumbled.
“Oh God, woman! Are you sure?” he asked.
I nodded in response and before I knew it, I was pressed against him, our mouths meeting in a heated kiss. The world around us seemed to fade away as we shared that electrifying moment.
It felt as if time had stopped, and all that mattered was the sensation of his lips on mine. As our lips danced passionately, I decided to surrender myself to Lucas Blackwood.
His touch was both tender and urgent as his fingers traced a fiery path along my skin, igniting a trail of sensation that sent shivers down my spine. My heart raced in sync with the rising tide of emotions. As he deepened the kiss, every nerve in my body seemed to come alive. My fingers found their way into his hair, pulling him closer as if I could meld my soul with his.
“I want you, Zara,” he said, breaking away from our kiss.
“I'm all yours, Lucas,” I replied, my eyes widening in shock as I realized we were already in bed.
He was above me, his legs nudging mine apart. As I complied, he claimed my lips once more before he entered me. I winced in pain at his intrusion, and he was equally shocked to discover he was my first.
“I love you, Lucas,” I said, enduring the discomfort of his taking.
CHAPTER 1- Zara’s POV The morning sun spilled through the drapes, rousing me from my slumber. As I stirred, the memories of the previous night with Lucas came flooding back. However, a wave of regret washed over me. I had allowed myself to be carried away by the heat of the moment, and now, in the harsh light of day, the reality of my actions was sinking in. Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized the gravity of my mistake. I had given myself to Lucas, not just physically, but emotionally as well. I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm my racing heart. I wished I could turn back time, erase that fateful night, but life didn't offer such conveniences. Instead, I was left to face the consequences of my actions. How had I ended up in bed with my famous college batch mate, Lucas Blackwood? Why him? There were countless other men who were more attractive, but why Lucas? Why had I surrendered myself to him? “Zara Delafontaine! Come here right now!” a voice called ou
CHAPTER 2 – Zara’s POV When I found out I was pregnant, I was very scared. Lucas Blackwood's family was powerful and owned many businesses in Claybourne City. I was confused and didn't know what to do, especially because Lucas had threatened to ruin my life after we spent the night together. I wanted to keep my situation a secret, but my family found out. Even though I tried to hide who the father was, my grandfather got the truth out of me. The idea of raising a baby by myself was scary, but knowing that Lucas Blackwood was involved made it even worse. He had threatened me the day he came to see me. I wanted to keep everything a secret because I thought having Lucas involved would be a disaster. I was desperate and tried to act like everything was normal. I didn't know if I should hide or tell the truth about who the baby's father was. But my grandfather didn't let me keep the secret forever. Even though I tried to hide who the father was, the truth came out. My secret was out an
CHAPTER 3 – Zara’s POV He continued to blame me for everything. I felt bad for my family because of how Lucas ignored them. I also felt bad for myself because when we got home, Lucas threw a maid's uniform at me! As he kept blaming me, I started to believe that it was my fault. I blamed myself for getting drunk that night, for letting him have me. I had been paying for that mistake for six years. Every day, he blamed me. It had been six years since our secret wedding. After enduring our unhappy marriage, I wanted to free myself. He couldn't keep me as his secret forever! How could he keep me but not love me properly? I felt bad for our son who never felt love from his father. It had been six years, but I still remembered how harsh he was on our wedding night. He knew I was pregnant, but he claimed my body again and again. He didn't let me sleep that night. Since then, he treated me terribly. For six years, he was always cruel. He constantly blamed me for ruining his life, and he
CHAPTER 4 – Zara’s POV Antoinette and I shared a love for coffee, so I suggested we grab a cup at the coffee shop nearest to the school. She went to order our usual favorites while I found a free table. “Are you still with that jerk, Zara?” she asked bluntly as soon as she returned with our drinks. I let out a sigh before responding, “Yes, I'm still with Lucas Blackwood.” Antoinette gave a sarcastic round of applause, then examined my face. I knew she was worried; she was the first one to know about the way Lucas treated me and our son. “Tell me honestly, Zara. Are you trying to be a martyr? It's been six years since that damned wedding. I thought you'd have realized by now that living with that man is like living in hell. I feel guilty every day for what you're going through. It's my fault,” Antoinette confessed. “Don't blame yourself, Antoinette. It was never your fault. You didn't force me into his bed that night. I was willing,” I admitted, attempting to ease my friend's guil
CHAPTER 5 – Zara’s POV When Enrique asked if he was adopted, I couldn't hold back my tears. I didn't care about crying in front of him anymore. I was heartbroken that he felt this way because of how Lucas treated him. All he wanted was his father's love, but Lucas couldn't provide that. I despised him for it! “Are you crying because of me?” Enrique asked. “No, something just got in my eye,” I lied quickly, seeing the sadness in his expression. “You have school tomorrow, my love. It's time for bed,” I told him. Thankfully, Enrique was a good boy and didn't protest. A few moments later, I watched him sleeping peacefully in his bed. He was such a lovely boy who deserved nothing but pure love from his parents. Silently, I pledged to love him every day, regardless of my situation with Lucas. After leaving Enrique's room, I headed downstairs to grab something to drink. I was feeling overwhelmed and thought a drink might help me relax. But I wasn't prepared for Lucas to show up, seemingl
CHAPTER 6 – Zara’s POV My body was accustomed to waking up at five in the morning. My eyes were wide open, but my mind was a blank slate. The last thing I remembered was telling Lucas I needed to use the bathroom. Then he walked me back to the living room and gave me some hot water. After that... he carried me upstairs... into my room. Oh my! I touched myself because something felt off. I was indeed naked! My suspicions were confirmed. “You're awake, good morning,” a voice said close to me. His hair was still damp, and a few droplets of water were trickling down his neck. “Lucas? What are you doing here?” I asked, surprised. Even though we were married, we usually slept in separate rooms. “I spent the night here, don't you remember?” he responded, leaving me stunned. Who wouldn't be taken aback by his revelation? “Why? I mean, why did you sleep here?” I questioned him. “Because you asked me to,” he replied. “You're lying!” I retorted. What he was suggesting was impossible; I d
CHAPTER 7 – Zara’s POV After their chat, Enrique ended the call and handed the phone back to me without saying a word. He then excused himself to continue watching his television show. I was about to start washing the dishes when Nick called again. For a moment, I was tempted to ignore the call, but in the end, I couldn't. “Wazzup, Nick? You called again,” I said. “Did you know that Giselle is one of my clothing models, right? Your husband is here supporting her,” he informed me. I wished he hadn't. A new wave of pain washed over me, a pain I thought I was immune to. “It's fine... he told me about it,” I lied, trying to save face. But Nick's anger flared. “No, it is not fine, Zara! Are you crazy? I just told you that your husband is cheating on you, and you tell me it's fine. What’s wrong with you?” As Nick's voice raised in anger, the tears I had been holding back began to flow freely. Through the video call, I saw a mix of confusion and pity in Nick's eyes. “Hey, Zara. Listen
CHAPTER 8 – Zara’s POV I had fallen asleep lost in my thoughts and would have continued to sleep if it weren't for the knocking on my door. Quickly, I got up and went to the door. “Enrique, it's you.” “Are you sick?” he asked. “No, I'm not. Why do you ask?” I responded, fixing my hair. “Daddy told me to ask if you're okay.” I had to suppress a laugh at Enrique's statement. “I see, so where is he now?” “Cooking breakfast.” “I see.” “But I think he needs your help!” Enrique said, sounding worried. “Really?” I replied, trying to make myself look presentable. “Yes, Mom.” “Alright, let's go and see your dad,” I said, and we both headed downstairs to the kitchen. What the hell? I couldn't help but curse silently when I saw the mess in my kitchen. “Enrique, I'll help your dad with cooking. Just go to your room,” I ordered. As soon as Enrique left, I confronted Lucas. “You knew you can't cook a proper meal, so why?” I mean, I'm asking why he dared to intervene in my kitchen whe