Juniper's POV:
It had been three weeks since Orion's odious contract trick came to light. The betrayal still stung raw, souring any satisfaction over finally settling his lawsuit. I knew Lucian could sense the undercurrent of tension between us, my hardened edges of distrust.
Though he had thoroughly explained his history with Orion, I found doubts lingering - doubts I tried fruitlessly to suppress. I didn't want to doubt Lucian's sincerity. But Orion's callous deception haunted me, making me second-guess everything.
The doorbell rang, interrupting my brooding. I opened it to find Aria smiling with false sweetness.
"Juniper! It's been too long." She breezed past me into the foyer before I could object.
"What are you doing here?" I asked brusquely. The sight of my sister's overly made-up face made my hackles rise.
Aria pouted with exaggerated hurt. "Can't I visit my own family? I feel like we've grown so distant."
She moved closer, placing a delicate hand on my arm in a mockery of sisterly affection. "Especially with everything you've been through recently with that awful Orion business. It must be so hard to know who you can trust."
My eyes narrowed suspiciously at her words. What was her game now? I shrugged off her hand. "If you're here to stir up more trouble, just leave."
Aria's expression became one of exaggerated sympathy. "Trouble? No, no, dear sister. I'm here to help, to listen to your woes without judgment."
She steered me firmly towards the sitting room, prattling on about being someone I could confide in. I allowed myself to be led, curious despite myself.
Once we were seated, Aria leaned forward earnestly. "You know, I noticed the tension between you and Lucian when we last met for that contract mediation. Almost like there were doubts undermining your relationship."
I stiffened, wanting to shut down this conversation before it progressed further. But Aria pressed on relentlessly.
"I'd hate to think Lucian wasn't being completely honest with you, given his involvement with Orion over the years. He did rush awfully quickly to finalize that contract without your full understanding, after all."
I opened my mouth to hotly defend Lucian, but Aria's words had struck a nerve. She seemed to sense it and pushed harder.
"You simply must be on guard that Lucian isn't being manipulated or pressured by Orion, dear sister. Men like that have ways of exerting control over their associates. What if Lucian knew more about Orion's malicious contract clause than he's admitting?"
Aria's eyes were wide with feigned concern, but it was her speculation about Lucian's knowledge that made my heart thud harder. Could it be remotely possible he wasn't as oblivious as I had assumed?
I shook my head, banishing the thought. "You're reaching, Aria. Lucian has been fully truthful. If anything, I know he'll find a way to nullify that clause - he was furious when he found out."
My words rang hollow, belying my churning uncertainty. Aria reached out to clasp my hands, every ounce of her demeanor radiating sympathy.
"Juniper, I'm only saying these things because I care about you. You need to have absolutely ironclad trust in the man by your side. I'd hate to see you go through another betrayal by someone manipulating you."
This time her words pierced me through completely. With sinking dread, I admitted she was right. Lucian was asking me to trust him implicitly without a shred of doubt remaining. But could I ever fully achieve that after the devastating deception by Orion?
I pulled my hands away and stood abruptly. "I appreciate your concern. But Lucian and I will work through things privately."
Aria rose too, expression contrite. "I overstepped, sister. Forgive me. But I hope you know I'll always be here to help you see the truth."
She hugged me impulsively before I could deflect it. Then with a few more platitudes and well-wishes, she swept out, leaving me churning with disquiet.
Aria's words rattled endlessly in my mind over the next few days. I caught myself nitpicking every conversational pause or facial tic from Lucian, searching for any sign of dishonesty. My sense of safety unraveled further.
The harder I pushed down my suspicions, the more virulent they grew. Until finally, it became impossible not to confront Lucian about my fears.
It started when I asked if he'd made any progress negotiating adjustments to the settlement contract. He replied a bit evasively about difficulties with the lawyers, and something snapped in me.
"Or were the difficulties in convincing your dear friend Orion to give up his spiteful control over my finances?" I shot back acidly.
Lucian froze, fork halfway to his mouth as my harsh tone registered. "Juniper? What's going on with you?"
"Admit it!" I was on my feet now, voice rising shrilly. "You already knew about that secret clause Orion slipped in! You weren't as shocked as you pretended. Is this another game you're both playing with me?"
Lucian gaped at me, hurt and shock etching his features. "How can you accuse me of that? After everything I've done to earn back your trust?"
"How can I ever fully trust you when you were lying to me for years about your condition!" The hurtful words burst from me unchecked, raw pain overriding rationality. "You're both wealthy powerful men who gain from manipulating women like me. How do I know you aren't still deceiving me in some way?"
Lucian shoved back from the table, face closing off. "If that's what you truly believe after all my efforts to make amends, then perhaps we aren't ready to move forward after all."
He stood abruptly, that cold impenetrable mask falling over his expression once more. "I'm going out. Clearly we both need some time apart to gain perspective."
With that, he turned and left, ignoring my feeble protestations as he strode out the door. I sat numbly, a pit of regret opening in my stomach. I shouldn't have attacked him like that, giving voice to doubts I had no evidence for.
"What should I really do now?" I asked myself .