ALINA’S POV.

“How did you know I was at that hotel?”

If I hadn’t been watching his face so closely, I would have missed it.

He froze for a nanosecond, then turned to me.

“I had a meeting with an investor who happened to own the hotel,” he said quietly. “He wanted to show me around.”

In an instant, Lucian’s odd behavior faded from my mind and worry consumed me.

“What time was your meeting?” I asked, hoping the fear in my voice wasn’t noticeable.

Had he been there when I was having that meal with Seraphina? Did he see everything that went down? !--

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With Lucian, one can never be sure. He masks his emotions so well that, even if he saw something, unless he speaks up, there’s no way to know.

“It wasn’t long, just twenty minutes.” He told me, and I let out a quiet breath of relief.

“Why?” His gaze searched mine curiously.

“Oh, nothing,” I said dismissively, shrugging. “I was just wondering why I didn’t bump into you.”

“Were you there long?” He pressed.

“I had ate lunch earlier, with a friend.” I told him.

“Talia?” He asked, eyes returning to his iPad.

“Yeah. Sure.” Ilied.

I couldn’t tell him it had been Seraphina, that would open a can of worms I wasn’t ready to deal with.

“Mmmhmm.” He hummed.

There was something in that tone, but I didn’t dwell on it.

“Ace?” He called.

“Yes, boss.” Ace replied.

“Call Jessica and have her get a dress ready. She’ll be my plus-one at the g next week.” Lucian instructed Ace.

I frowned.

“Okay, boss.” Ace said hesitantly, ncing at me through the rearview mirror.

I was mad. Really mad.

And the worst part was… Lucian didn’t even notice.

As soon as Ace brought the car to a stop in front of the mansion, I threw open my door and got out, making sure to m it shut behind me before storming into the house.

“Jessica? Jessica? Who the hell is Jessica?” I gritted out angrily as I stomped toward my room.

I was right there, and he had the nerve to make ns with Jessica. Tears of frustration obscured my vision, and I couldn’t stop them from spilling over. I hated that I was crying but I couldn’t help it.

I wasn’t in the mood to see or talk to Lucian, so after a breeze through my usual night routine, I grabbed a quilt and slipped away to the library which was located at a forgotten wing of the mansion where no one ever visited.

I knew Lucian would be busy briefing the guards before bedtime; he’d never notice me slipping away.

The library was huge, I mean Beauty and the Beast-style huge, with an elevator that glided along the shelves making it easy to ess books and, at the very top, a cozy reading space.

I picked up a random book, curled up in arge fluffy beanbag chair, and the moment I got into afortable position, I copsed into an exhausted sleep.

The Next Morning, I left the library and as I made my way back to my room I heard themotion echoing through the living room.

“How the fuck is she missing if you all saw here in here?!” Lucian growled, cutting through the silence.

The moment I heard his voice, my anger roared back to life.

As I passed through the living room, the whole room went silent and I could feel every head turned toward me.

Not sparing them a nce, I tightened the quilt around my shoulders, and began to make my way up the stairs.

I heard heavy footsteps behind me, and then an angry voice followed.

“Where the fuck were you?!” Lucian demanded, but I ignored him.

Like I was going to tell him that.

“I am talking to you Alina, where the fuck have you been.” He demanded again, grabbing my arm and spinning me around before I could enter my room.

He released me when he saw the tears glistening in my eyes.

“Why don’t you go ask Jessica!?” I spat, and with that, I stepped into my room and mmed the door in his face.