Juniper's Pov
The drive to Lucian's home took us deep into the countryside. As we turned down a long driveway, I expected to see an imposing mansion suited for a billionaire's son. Instead, a modest two-story house came into view. The paint was faded and the landscaping overgrown. Hardly the palatial estate I anticipated.
My doubts grew as I followed Lucian inside. The decor was decidedly shabby, with threadbare furniture and dim lighting. Not at all the environment of the wealthy, sophisticated man I knew from the club.
Lucian noted my critical gaze and gave a rueful smile. "Not quite the splendour you expected? I promise there are reasons for the illusion."
I bit my tongue, deciding to reserve judgment for our private discussion. But the contradictions were really nagging at me.
After dinner, Lucian dismissed the house staff and wheeled himself to a small study. I perched nervously on the edge of a lumpy couch facing him.
"I'm sure you have many questions," Lucian began. "Please, ask me anything."
I decided to start with the most obvious. "You're clearly not disabled as you pretended. Does your father know that?"
Lucian chuckled. "No, the old man still believes I'm a helpless cripple. I made a full recovery but kept up the act for certain...advantages."
I cocked an eyebrow curiously. "What advantages?"
"Freedom and power," Lucian said bluntly. "You see, my father and I have a difficult relationship. He wanted a perfect heir to groom. Instead, he got me - an unwanted child without a mother in sight."
Bitterness edged Lucian's voice. "He married again years ago and ever since, my stepmother has filled his ear against me. They've tried to strip me of any role in the company or independence."
I listened intently, fascinated by this glimpse into Lucian's hidden past.
"So when I had my accident," he continued, "my father saw it as the perfect excuse to banish me completely. He thought I was helplessly paralyzed and decided to just tuck me away out of sight." Lucian's jaw clenched at the memory.
"That must have been awful," I said softly, aching for him.
Lucian nodded. "It was hell, but it motivated me through a gruelling recovery. I learned to walk again through sheer determination. But I kept it secret and continued pretending weakness. It was my only way to gain some freedom and autonomy."
I was beginning to understand the larger picture now. "So if your father knew you weren't actually disabled..."
"...he would try to control and exploit me again," Lucian finished grimly. "He'd feel entitled to swoop in and claim everything I've built for myself."
My head spun as I struggled to process everything. Was he telling the truth? Or was this just another manipulation, another layer of deception? I wanted so desperately to trust him, to feel that connection again... but I couldn't shake the lingering doubts that weighed on my heart.
"And what about Aria?" I asked abruptly, thinking of her odd reaction to Lucian. "What's the story there?"
Lucian grimaced, clearly reluctant to broach this subject. "Aria and I... had a relationship, before my accident. After I became disabled, she promptly left me. She saw me as useless, a burden."
Bile rose in my throat as I remembered Aria's betrayal with Daniel. Could I truly trust Lucian's words, after all his lies? Perhaps he and Aria had conspired together, feeding me false narratives to manipulate me.
"How do I know you're telling the truth?" I whispered tremulously. "How can I trust anything you say?"
Lucian's expression softened, and he reached out to take my hand, squeezing gently. "I know I've given you ample reason to doubt me, Juniper. But believe me when I say that I only want what's best for you. I wish to protect you, to cherish you as you deserve."
I stared at our joined hands, my heart pounding. A part of me longed to accept his words, to surrender to the tenderness in his touch. But the wounds of past betrayals still ached, making me skittish and wary.
"You don't have to decide anything tonight," Lucian soothed, sensing my inner turmoil. "Take all the time you need. Truly, Juniper, I only want you to be happy. The contract we signed means nothing - I won't bind you to me against your will."
He paused, searching my face. "In fact... if you'll have me, I'd like to formally court you. Start fresh, with honesty and openness. Will you allow me that chance?"
My breath caught in my throat as his words hung in the air between us. Could I risk opening my heart again, after the betrayals of the past? A voice within me screamed not to trust him, to protect myself at all costs.
But even as doubts swirled, I couldn't ignore the faint flicker of hope that his sincerity had kindled. Perhaps Lucian truly did care for me. Perhaps I had finally found someone who could give me the cherished love and protection I craved.
"Alright," I said haltingly, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll give you a chance, Lucian. But no more lies, no more manipulation. I can't bear to have my heart broken again."
Relief flooded Lucian's features, and he squeezed my hand once more. "You have my word, Juniper. Only truth and openness from now on."
I nodded shakily, praying I wasn't making a terrible mistake. For now, I would play along, and guard my heart while gauging his sincerity. If Lucian proved himself false, I knew I would never recover.
"I'll be traveling to Houston for a few weeks to finalize some business arrangements," Lucian informed me. "While I'm gone, make yourself at home here."
I nodded again, a numbness settling over my senses. So much had happened in such a short span of time. I felt adrift, unmoored.
"When I return, perhaps we can discuss... taking our relationship to the next level?" Lucian suggested hopefully, his thumb caressing my knuckles. "If you're amenable, of course."
The flirtatious words jarred me from my daze. I pulled my hand from his grasp, schooling my features into a mask of neutrality.
"We'll see," I replied evasively. "I'm still processing all of this."
I couldn't reveal my lingering discomfort, my deep-rooted fears of abandonment. If I pushed him away now, he might seek retribution by exposing the truth to our families. And I couldn't risk my father's vengeance, not while he held my mother's life in his hands.
No, for now, I would feign compliance, and keep Lucian at arm's length while gleaning his true motivations. Only then could I decide if he was worthy of my battered heart.
*********
The next two weeks passed peacefully as I settled into domestic life with Lucian. I missed him terribly but kept busy tending the house. One day as I chopped vegetables for dinner, a loud knock interrupted my solitude.
I opened the door to find my ex-fiancé Orion, my sister Aria, and Orion's lawyer on the doorstep. Shock rooted me in place.
"What are you all doing here? How did you find me?" I demanded.
The lawyer stepped forward. "Let's skip the questions. We have an important matter to discuss." He handed me a document.
I scanned it quickly, confusion turning to anger. "This says I have no claim to the profits from the business I started with Orion. On what grounds?"
"Your partnership with Orion is void," the lawyer said smugly. "Sign the form forfeiting your interests."
"Absolutely not!" I retorted hotly. "That business was half mine. I won't forfeit anything without a fight."
The lawyer smiled coldly. "We hoped you'd resist. It will make the $7 million lawsuit we've prepared much easier to win. With your crippled husband, you have no chance. Save yourself the trouble and comply now."
I trembled with fury. How dare they try to steal what I'd worked for and threaten me this way? Lucian and I weren't helpless like they assumed. If only I could reveal his strength and success...but his secrecy still bound me.
Reluctantly, I knew proclaiming the truth wasn't an option yet. I'd have to handle this carefully. "Get the hell off my property," I snarled. "I won't sign anything. You'll be hearing from my lawyers."
I slammed the door on their surprised faces, fuming. Striding to the phone, I called Lucian and rapidly explained the situation.
"Don't worry, my love," he assured me. "I'm boarding the next flight back. We'll settle this together."
True to his word, Lucian arrived the very next day. I collapsed into his embrace, breathing in his comforting scent. "I'm so glad you're back. With you by my side, I feel like I can face anything."
Lucian tipped my chin up. "No one will ever hurt or take advantage of you again. That, I swear." He kissed me tenderly.
A few days later, Orion and his lawyer returned at Lucian's request. I gripped Lucian's hand tightly as we sat across from them.
Orion's eyes widened in surprise seeing Lucian upright and imposing. I held my breath nervously.
But Lucian simply smiled. "Orion, old friend! It's been too long." To my shock, they greeted each other warmly. Lucian turned to me. "Juniper, Orion's the business partner I told you about."
I gaped in disbelief. The man who had callously used me was the partner helping Lucian achieve his huge success? It made no sense.
"What the fuck is going on?" I shouted angrily.