The CEO Who Never Wanted His Plus-Size Wife

A Line Drawn

Lucien’s POV

I had just walked down the hallway toward the kitchen because I wanted a coffee before my morning calls, but I heard raised voices and stopped before I reached the doorway. I stood there for a second and heard Celeste talking down to Alina about packing her bags, and I felt a sudden, sharp spike of irritation that I hadn't felt in a long time. I stepped into the kitchen and saw the mess on the floor and the way Alina was standing there with her shoulders pulled back, while Celeste stood nearby with that smug look she always wore when she thought she was winning.

"What is going on in here?" I asked, walking into the center of the room while looking at the oatmeal on the tiles.

"Oh, Lucien, darling, I was just trying to help, but your wife is a bit clumsy this morning and she dropped her breakfast," Celeste said, turning to face me with a practiced, innocent smile.

"I didn't drop it, because she pushed my arm while I was walking toward the cupboard," Alina said, her voice quiet but firm as she looked at me.

I looked at Alina and noticed the red patch on her wrist, and I walked over to her to take a closer look because the skin was definitely burned. I looked up at Celeste, who was waiting for me to laugh it off or tell Alina to be more careful, but I didn't feel like being polite today.

"I don't care how it happened, but I do care that there is a mess in the kitchen and that my wife is hurt," I said, my voice low and hard. "Celeste, you are a guest in this house, so I suggest you remember that and start acting like one, because I don't want to hear another word about who should or shouldn't be staying here."

Celeste blinked, her smile fading away as she realized I wasn't going to take her side. "I was only saying that she seems out of place here, so I thought you would appreciate someone looking out for your comfort."

"I am perfectly capable of looking out for my own comfort, and I am perfectly capable of deciding who belongs in my home," I said, pointing toward the doorway. "Go to the dining room and wait for breakfast there, and do not come back into the kitchen while the staff is busy."

She looked at me for a long moment, clearly shocked that I was dismissing her, but she turned on her heel and walked out without another word. I waited until I heard her heels clicking away down the hall, then I turned to the butler who had just walked in to see what the noise was about.

"Bring some ice and a cloth for my wife’s wrist right now," I told him, and he hurried off to follow my instructions.

I looked back at Alina, who was still standing there with her chin held high as if she were expecting me to yell at her next.

"Are you all right?" I asked, though it felt strange to be asking her that instead of just ignoring the whole thing.

"I’m fine, because it’s just a minor burn, but you didn't have to get involved," she said, pulling her hand away slightly.

"I did have to get involved, because this is my house and I don't want anyone being harassed while they are trying to have breakfast," I said, and I watched as the butler came back in with the ice and a clean towel.

"Thank you, Lucien," she said, taking the ice and holding it against her skin, and for a second, the look in her eyes softened.

"She has been here for less than a day, and she is already causing problems, so I will talk to my grandmother about the arrangement," I said, picking up the broom that was leaning against the wall and starting to sweep up the mess on the floor.

"You don't have to do that, as the staff will be here soon," she said, looking surprised that I was helping.

"I don't mind, because I am already here and I want this cleaned up before anyone else sees it," I said, and I didn't look up as I worked. "Just sit down and finish your breakfast, because you need to get your day started."

She didn't say anything else, but she sat back down at the table and watched me, and the tension in the room started to fade into something else, something that made me wonder why I cared so much about making sure she felt safe in my home. I finished sweeping and put the broom away, then I grabbed a cup of coffee and walked out toward my office, knowing I had a long day ahead of me but unable to stop thinking about the way she looked at me when I told Celeste to leave.