Anna's POV
I was still dazed when Lucian gently placed me into his plush chair, his warmth lingering around me even after he let go. He crouched in front of me, taking my hands in his, his gaze sharp and studying.
His fingers lightly brushed my cheek, igniting a trail of tingling sensations that spread through my body like ripples in still water.
"That bastard," he muttered, and I could feel the fury radiating from him. "He dared to hit you."
His gaze hardened momentarily before he inhaled deeply, forcing himself to remain calm. "Wait here. I'll get an ice pack."
He stood and strode across the room. Opening the small freezer in the corner, he retrieved an ice pack and quickly returned, extending it toward me.
"Press this against your face. The swelling will go down soon."
"Thank you," I whispered, reaching for it. But just as my fingers were about to take it, my eyes caught sight of scra

The moment I slid into Lucian's car, I turned away, fixing my gaze on the passing scenery outside the window. I refused to meet his eyes, unwilling to let him misinterpret my decision.
The only reason I had agreed to come with him was to escape Declan—not to offer Lucian any false hope. My life was already in shambles, tangled in emotions I hadn't even begun to process.
Declan's betrayal still weighed heavily on my heart, and the last thing I needed was another entanglement. All I wanted was to bury myself in work and keep my distance from powerful men like them.
The silence in the car stretched between us until Lucian finally broke it. "When I heard the director call you, I got worried. I thought he might question you about what happened this morning. Did he reprimand you?"
I sighed, glancing at him before looking away again. "No, nothing like that. He just asked about the rumors spread

Billy cowered beneath my murderous glare, his earlier arrogance crumbling to dust. His lips trembled as he forced out a single question.
"Who... who are you?"
I leaned in slightly, letting my sneer deepen. "Someone you shouldn't have crossed. Remember my name—Lucian Grey."
His eyes widened in horror, his entire demeanor shifting. "L-Lucian Grey?" he stammered, his face draining of color. "You mean... the illustrious Grey family with immense political influence?"
I gave him a slow, deliberate nod.
Understanding dawned in his eyes, along with sheer terror. My grandfather held one of the highest political offices in the country. With our influence, men like Billy could disappear overnight, and no one would dare ask questions. Yet, this fool had the audacity to threaten me.
"Stay away from my woman," I warned. "Or you'll face the consequences."
Billy swallowed. He scrambled back on his hands, nodding frantically. "Sorry... I'm really sorry," he blurted, shaking in fear. "I was wrong. Please forgive me."
Disgusted, I shoved him aside and rose to my feet. Without another glance in his direction, I turned toward Anna. She stood frozen, eyes wide, staring at Billy as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
Her gaze snapped to me. "What did you say to him?" she asked, confusion laced in her voice.
I rubbed the back of my head casually. I wasn't ready to reveal my background just yet. "Let's get you inside first."
I scooped her up into my arms.
She gasped, her hands instinctively gripping my shirt. "What are you doing? Put me down! I can walk by myself."
I held her tighter, effortlessly carrying her forward. "Don't move," I warned. "If you fall, I won't be responsible."
She stiffened in my arms before huffing in defeat. Then, to my satisfaction, she hesitantly coiled her arms around my neck, securing herself.
A smirk tugged at my lips.
As I carried her inside, my peripheral vision caught sight of Declan standing in the hallway. I met his gaze for the briefest second—then smirked. Without breaking stride, I stepped into my chamber and kicked the door shut behind me with a dull thud, blocking him out completely.
Declan's POV...
I clenched my fists as I watched Lucian disappear behind the door with Anna still in his arms. A bitter taste filled my mouth. Anna... with Lucian?
When did they get so close?
A hand tugged at mine, pulling me back to reality.
"Declan..." Nichole's voice was soft, almost hesitant. "What are you looking at?"
I exhaled sharply, forcing my expression into neutrality. "Nothing," I muttered coldly.
Her gaze followed the direction I had been staring at, but I didn't wait for her to pry further.
"Your test is done," I said, my tone clipped. "The report will be ready by tomorrow. You should leave now." I strode toward my office, my mind a tangled mess of frustration, rage, and restlessness.
I couldn't forget the image of Anna in Lucian's arms.
"Declan!" Nichole's voice rang out again, and a second later, she stepped into my office after me.
I exhaled sharply, already at my limit.
"Listen to me," she pleaded.
I raised a hand to silence her. "This is my workplace. You can't just show up whenever you please. I have work to do. Leave. Now."
I headed toward my chair, but her arms wrapped around my waist from behind, clinging to me. I went rigid.
"Why are you avoiding me?" she whispered. "I thought we had made up."
I let out a low sneer, my jaw tightening.
A year ago, she had left me without hesitation, choosing her acting career over me. And now? Now she thought she could just waltz back into my life and expect me to forget everything?
I hadn't forgiven her.
With a cold expression, I peeled her hands off me, stepping away from her grasp.
"Five years." My voice was calm, yet sharp as a blade as I turned to face her. "We dated for five years. I thought we had a future together. The night I planned to propose to you... you left. You threw everything away like it meant nothing."
My glare bore into her. "Do you really think I'll just forgive you and take you back? Not happening."
Nichole's lips trembled, but she quickly masked her emotions with a desperate plea. "I know I made a mistake," she grasped my wrist. "I was foolish. I thought my career should come first. But the moment I left you, I realized you were my everything. I knew I had made the biggest mistake of my life. That's why I came back."
She stepped closer, pressing her palm against my face, her eyes brimming with longing. "Give me a chance," she whispered. "I'll make it up to you."
I swatted her hand away before turning back to my desk. I sank into my chair, ready to put this conversation to an end—but she had other plans.
Before I could react, Nichole slid onto my lap, her arms winding around my neck.
My muscles stiffened.
Her lips curled into a sultry smile as she traced a slow finger down my jaw. "I know how to make you happy," she purred.
I shoved her hand away, my patience wearing thin. "This is an office," I growled, warning laced in my voice. "Don't."
But she didn't stop. Her fingers danced down my shoulders, tracing the contours of my chest.
"Just relax," she murmured, her lips grazing dangerously close. "Let me take care of you."
My breathing suddenly became frantic as she kissed me, her fingers slipping into the crack of my shirt, rubbing my chest. With a groan, I kissed her back hungrily.
After a breathless kiss, we pulled back and looked at each other. My heart raced from the need that threatened to consume me.
She dropped to her knees, her gaze never leaving mine. My hands clasped the armrests as I looked at her, wondering what she was going to do. Her fingers worked swiftly as she unbuckled my belt and unbuttoned my pants, unzipping the fly.
"Uh..." I breathed deeply as she rubbed her hand against my tight crotch.
She smirked as she pulled out my erection.
I gasped, my eyes darkening with lust and need. Then she clasped my phallus. Her touch was warm and soft, teasing me tantalizingly.
"Fuck, Nichole." I dropped my head on the back of the chair. "You are driving me crazy."
She started moving her hand around my length, her grip tightening a beat.
The muscles of my body tensed, my nails digging into the armrests. When she took my erection into her mouth, my mind exploded.
"Uh..." I sighed, my eyes rolling back. I could feel her tongue wrapping around my erection as she moved up and down, pushing me to the brink.
My hip muscles clenched, my thighs tightened as I neared my climax. At that moment, Anna's face flashed in the back of my mind. With a jerk, I exploded, releasing inside her mouth.
Anna's face lingered in my mind.
Why? The question gnawed at me. Why was I thinking about her at this moment?
A storm of confusion and frustration swirled within me. I should have been consumed by the heat of the moment, but instead, a different kind of fire burned through me—one I couldn't quite understand.
Nichole stood, leaning in, her arms stretching to pull me back into her embrace. But I caught her wrists, stopping her before she could touch me.
"Enough," I exhaled. Rising to my feet, I fastened my pants, straightening myself. "This is my office. Anyone can walk in. You should leave now."
She hesitated, her lips parting as if to argue, but I shut her down with a sharp glance.
"Leave, Nichole."
A scoff escaped her lips before she spun on her heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
I ran a hand over my face, exhaling sharply. My pulse was still erratic, but for all the wrong reasons. I leaned against the desk, my fingers pressing into the wood. "What the hell is happening to me?" I muttered under my breath.
Anna was supposed to be a distraction—just another fleeting presence in my life. I didn't love her. I had convinced myself of that.
But then why did it feel like my insides twisted when I saw her in Lucian's arms?
A slow, seething anger coiled within me, tightening its grip. My hands curled into fists, my jaw locked.
No. I couldn't let her go.
Even if I didn't love her, I couldn't let her leave me and be with another man, I resolved.

Anna's POV
I was still dazed when Lucian gently placed me into his plush chair, his warmth lingering around me even after he let go. He crouched in front of me, taking my hands in his, his gaze sharp and studying.
His fingers lightly brushed my cheek, igniting a trail of tingling sensations that spread through my body like ripples in still water.
"That bastard," he muttered, and I could feel the fury radiating from him. "He dared to hit you."
His gaze hardened momentarily before he inhaled deeply, forcing himself to remain calm. "Wait here. I'll get an ice pack."
He stood and strode across the room. Opening the small freezer in the corner, he retrieved an ice pack and quickly returned, extending it toward me.
"Press this against your face. The swelling will go down soon."
"Thank you," I whispered, reaching for it. But just as my fingers were about to take it, my eyes caught sight of scratches marring his knuckles, torn skin smeared with dried blood.
Without thinking, I grabbed his hand

Chapter 9