Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved novel Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Natasha snorted, “Yeah, right. In a room full of people, she’s the only one weak enough to practically climb into my boyfriend’s arms.

“Lucas is such a saint, huh? Never hugs anyone else, just his future sister–in–law. If they hopped into bed, you’d probably blame bad lighting. Honestly, my heart’s had it—they’re a match made in a dumpster.”

“Natasha, you’re way off,” Lucas said, dropping Olivia’s arm the second her eyes hit him. Her words, lumping him with Olivia, stung hard.

“Way off?” Natasha smirked, sharp and cold. “Lucas, ever count how many times you’ve fed me that line?”

Lucas fumbled for words. “There’s a reason, alright? I can explain.”

“Pass,” she shot back.

Excuses didn’t cut it. No matter his reasons, he kept picking Olivia’s side, leaving Natasha high and dry.

“What about the engagement party?” Madeline cut in, trying to pivot.

“Engagement party?” Natasha’s laugh was icy. “There wasn’t even a real proposal. What engagement?”

“What’s that mean?” Madeline gaped.

Lucas and the Clark family stared, but Olivia’s eyes glinted with something sneaky.

“Need it clearer?” Natasha fixed Lucas with a cold stare. “I told you yesterday during that half–baked proposal–if you bailed, we were done. So, Lucas, we’re over. I’m done.”

“No way!” Lucas barked, his chest tightening like a vice. “I’m not letting this go!”

He’d been with her since she was three–twenty years. One botched proposal couldn’t end it. She’d always said she’d marry him.

To him, they were endgame.

“Take it back,” he said, jaw clenched. “You’re just mad. You don’t mean it.”

Natasha ignored him, turning to Madeline. “I’ve said my piece. We’re done. If you don’t want a party with no bride, call it off.”

“This is nonsense!” a voice roared. “The Wright–Clark wedding’s been set for years. You think this is a game? You were dying to marry him, and now you’re bailing? You can’t just do whatever!”

1/4

8:17 pm

Chapter 6

EX 55 vouchers

Natasha’s gaze was pure ice. “If you’re so set on it, marry him yourself. Or…” Her eyes flicked to Olivia. “You’ve got another daughter, right?”

“Natasha!” Lucas’s voice cracked, raw with hurt. “You know I love you.”

“Whatever.” she scoffed, unmoved. That line was dead to her.

“I’m done with this happy family sitcom,” she said, tossing her hands up. “Catch ya later–or, better yet, never.”

She spun and strutted out, not sparing a glance back.

“Natasha!” Lucas moved to chase, but Olivia grabbed his arm.

“It’s my fault,” she said, all soft and pitiful. “If I hadn’t gotten hurt, this wouldn’t be happening. She’s just pissed, Lucas. Chasing her now’s pointless. Let her chill, and we’ll talk to her together. She’s been crazy about you forever–canceling the engagement? Total bluff.”

“Yeah, don’t sweat it,” Madeline said, patting Olivia’s hand. “She’ll come crawling back once she cools off. Twenty years chasing Lucas? She’s not walking away.”

Three years ago, Natasha planned a group sailing trip to clear her head. Olivia and her boyfriend came along. A storm hit, and Olivia’s boyfriend died saving Lucas.

Olivia nearly drowned, waking up with memory issues, sometimes mistaking Lucas for her dead boyfriend.

Last night, Olivia’s car accident triggered another episode, calling for her “boyfriend.” Madeline called Lucas to calm her–right as he was proposing to Natasha.

Still, Madeline saw no issue. She’d make the same call again.

To Madeline, Natasha owed Olivia too much. ‘It is just a proposal,‘ she thought. ‘Why the fuss? So childish.

Noel snorted. “Natasha’s been glued to Lucas for twenty years. No way she’s serious about ditching the wedding

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify