"Alright, let Vivian stay at your house. The girl is sharp."
As soon as Vivian heard she could stay at my place, she rushed to grab a suitcase from the house, clearly prepared for this moment.
Marcus pressed his fingers to his temples in frustration. "You’re not going."
Vivian turned to me with pleading eyes. "Aunt, please? I’ll stay at your place for a few days and take care of you... and Uncle."
Take care of him? Sure, in every way possible.
I sighed and opened the co-pilot door. "Do whatever you want."
Vivian beamed and climbed into the back seat.
She really didn’t see herself as an outsider. After a while, she came out of the bathroom in a bikini, strolling casually through the living room.
When Marcus came out of his study, she was dancing to music on her phone.
His body stiffened, and the barely-contained desire in his eyes was unmistakable.
When he turned to look at me, he quickly masked his expression, but it was too late—I had already seen it.
I fanned the air, trying to cool the heat rising in my face. "You’re pathetic."
"Go back to your room." Marcus' voice was sharp now, his temper flaring.
Vivian pouted, the picture of innocence. "Uncle, I have to practice dancing every day..."
"Hmm, like a cat in heat."
Vivian blinked, the perfect image of confusion. "Who are you talking about? My uncle raised me. If you think dirty, that’s on you."
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she looked at him, playing the victim like she always did.
The sad part? She was definitely more alluring to men now than she ever had been when she lived in the mountains.
Marcus' face hardened. "Enough."
"If I see you dressed like that in this house again, you’re out."
Vivian ran off in tears, leaving the tension thick in the air.
Marcus sighed deeply, his gaze softening as he turned to me. "Lila, don’t argue with a child. Maybe you’re carrying our baby. Don’t be upset, okay?"
He placed a large hand gently on my stomach, a gesture meant to comfort.
I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes. "No, not today. I got my period."
Marcus' shoulders slumped, disappointment flashing across his face. "I’ll try harder. I’ll make sure you become a mother sooner."
I couldn’t help but feel a cold emptiness at his words. No, Marcus. No.
Nine days. That’s all I had left. How could I possibly give birth to his child?
I woke up in the middle of the night, my throat dry with thirst. As I reached for the bedside, I realized he wasn’t beside me.
Marcus often worked late, choosing to sleep in the study to avoid disturbing my rest.
I grabbed my water cup and quietly made my way downstairs.
The moonlight filtered through the windows, casting everything in a soft, serene glow.
As I descended the stairs, a creaking sound reached my ears, coming from the study.
Since I’d gotten the cat, there had been no mice in the house.
I paused, taking a slow breath, and quietly made my way toward the source of the sound.
The door to the study room was slightly ajar, warm, yellow-orange light spilling out from the crack.
I approached, drawn by some invisible force, and peeked inside.
What I saw made my breath catch in my throat.
Two bodies were tangled together on the desk, their forms barely distinguishable against the dark wood.
Vivian’s slender body was a sharp contrast to the desk. She bit her lips, her face flushed with passion, her long nails digging into Marcus' back.
"Stop," he murmured, his voice low, but his body didn’t stop moving.
Vivian buried her head in his neck, her voice thick with tears and something darker. "Uncle Marcus, I am your legitimate little wife..."
"Shut up. Don’t wake her up," Marcus growled, his words a mix of command and desperation.
Marcus.
You deceived me.
Eight years ago, I came into this world, depending on him for everything.
Marcus fought for me. He took a brick to the head to protect me. He would cancel important meetings just to celebrate my birthday. He remembered every little detail—my preferences, my moods, even my menstrual cycle.
The office staff used to joke that the president was a love-struck fool.
I had come here for a reason, to save him. To help the poor boy become the king of this world.
