Chapter 369: Time to end it

Lucien’s POV

“What did I do to your mistress?” I asked, puzzled. Raphael’s gaze darkened at my question.

He tucked his hand in his pocket and went silent for a while. “Amelia was kidnapped by a syndicate tied to the Orlov family and was beaten until she miscarried,” he explained, and it felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured on me. I could already imagine how this was going to end.

“The prime suspect is you,” he added coldly. “Why did you go after her after you impregnated my wife? Were you that desperate to get me divorced?”

I went silent for a moment before speaking in a measured tone. “So you came after my life because you think I caused your mistress to miscarry. So far, I have been playing fair. I never expected you to be the first person to stoop low.” I didn’t make this fight bloody because I respected his strength and assumed he would never cross that line, but I was clearly mistaken.

“And you expect me to take your word for it.” He snorted, clearly not believing me. “The assailant was clearly your family. Even if it wasn’t you, it was someone from your family.”

I expected him to say this, but he forgot something. My family were not the only ones who could contract the syndicate.

Raphael continued. “I will say this one more time. I didn’t cause the accident,” he deadpanned, his gaze dead serious. “But I have an idea who did.”

“And you expect me to believe your words, Raphael?” I gave him the same reply he gave me.

A slow smile curled up my lips. From the look of things, we were both set up. I sighed, then lay back on the bed. “Who do you suspect?”

Raphael’s gaze went unfocused for a while. “Amelia. Probably she is upset that she lost her trump card,” he answered. I chuckled at his words. Raphael was so smart, but also naïve.

“You think Amelia is the only one around us capable of murder? Amelia might be a psycho, but my death wouldn’t benefit her. She wouldn’t want the Orlovs on her, even if it saves the company.” I started analysing the situation.

Raphael was right about one thing. My death wouldn’t save the company. “As a matter of fact, my death wouldn’t benefit Amelia,” I continued listing out the facts.

“One, with me gone, her chances of having you reduce, as you would pine for Lynn.”

“Second, my death wouldn’t save Volkov Apex either. If I die, the Orlovs would come for you. From the look of things, it is probably someone who knows about my alleged assault on Amelia. Maybe the person who planned it has a deep grudge against me, enough that they don’t care if the company collapses.” I examined everything, but there was one more possibility I didn’t want to state now.

“So it is someone who hates us equally,” he whispered. He was lost in thought.

“That aside, what happened to Lynn? Did you kidnap her?” I tried to keep my voice as calm as possible. That was the shark in the room. Raphael’s eyes evaded mine. He clearly didn’t want to answer.

“Answer the fucking question,” I hissed at him, clearly losing my thin patience.

His fist balled, and an eerie calm settled on him. “Lynn received the call while she was at the registry. She panicked and stormed away, only to trip on the steps and hemorrhage.”

My chest clenched. “How is she and the baby?” I asked. My mind was already running wild.

“Lynn is in the ICU. She fell into a coma after the hemorrhage. The shock of her baby being at risk, combined with the uncertainty of your condition, drove her to the edge.”

“So that’s why you handled the procedure. Let me guess, she is admitted in this hospital, and you are coming from her room.” He nodded. My jaw clenched.

“And the baby? She is safe, isn’t she?” I asked with a trembling voice. Nothing could happen to that baby. Lynn wouldn’t be able to handle the blow.

“So it was a girl,” he muttered with a soft look in his eyes. I flinched at the word was. No, it wasn’t possible. Raphael gave me a weak smile. “Braelyn lost the baby.”

His words struck me hard. I broke into laughter. “You got to be fucking kidding me.” I laughed because there was no fucking way.

I stared at his infuriating blank face. There wasn’t even the slightest twitch. “It’s not a joke. I’m sorry. I mean it.”

My temper snapped. Ignoring the sharp ache in my abdomen, I jolted up, grabbing his collar. “Don’t fucking say that. You must be happy that the baby is dead,” I barked at him. My anger flared up. I was fucking pissed and scared.

Damn, I was freaking scared out of my mind.

Raphael remained calm. “Disregarding how the child was conceived, it was Lynn’s baby. How would I be happy when I, of all people, know how desperately she wanted a child?” he said coldly, and my body halted for a second. Raphael reached for my hand and pulled it away from his collar.

He stepped back from me, creating distance between us. “I know you are hurting, but you have to get your shit together,” he scolded, then strode for the door. His hand reached for the handle, and he paused.

He glanced over his shoulder. “You are really talented, Lucien. It’s a shame we love the same woman,” he said, and I scoffed at his words.

“Maybe your family shouldn’t have killed my mother,” I sneered at him. My voice turned colder. “Count your days, Raphael. Volkov Apex will pay for this.”

It wasn’t a threat but a promise.

“I will be waiting,” he replied, then shut the door behind him. Silence enveloped me at once.

**********

The door creaked open slowly. I stood at the doorway, nervous to step in. I had to see her. My grip tightened on the doorknob before I let go.

One step after another, I dragged myself to the bed. The soft beeping of the machines echoed. My eyes settled on her.

Her face was pale, and she seemed so fragile. It reminded me of the time she shut down her mind. My fingers brushed against hers.

“Viper…” I called softly, hoping she could hear me. “Please don’t give up yet. You still have me.” My voice choked up. I drew in a breath to force everything down.

“We have played this game long enough. It is time I end it. They played rough first. They can’t blame me for what happens next.”

My hand held hers, our fingers entangled.

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