Married by Mistake, Loved by Fate

Chapter9

“Lucy…”

Her father’s voice was low and firm. It was the kind of voice that always made her stop. Richard Bennett stood in the middle of the living room. His suit jacket was still dusty from the crazy fight last night.

“I planted Vanessa,” Richard said.

The words hit Lucy like a hard slap across the face. Her eyes snapped to him. “What?”

“I planted her,” Richard repeated slowly. “I did it to test Greg’s loyalty. I needed to see what kind of man was standing next to my daughter. You think I do not protect you?” He stepped forward and looked deep into her eyes. “Every single step of the way, I have been making sure you are safe.”

Lucy’s mouth fell open. “You… you did all of this for me?”

A small smile touched his lips. His eyes softened. “Always, baby girl. Always.”

The warmth in Lucy's chest quickly turned into a burning pain. Her voice cracked with deep sadness. “That bastard… that son of a b***h…” She swallowed hard. “I thought Greg was different from other men, Dad. I gave him my whole heart.”

She dropped her voice to a whisper. “Do you have any idea how much that hurt me?”

Richard did not answer. He just held her gaze, absorbing her pain.

Lucy’s jaw trembled. “I am the reason Greg succeeded. I pushed him. I believed in him when he had nothing. I am the one who begged you to get him that big job offer at the DiMarco Group, Dad! I vouched for him. And this is what I get in return?” Her nails dug into her palms. “A knife in my back.”

Richard’s face hardened. “That was the exact moment I knew I had to watch over you. Even if I had to play dirtier than our enemies.”

Lucy let out a shaky breath. Her mind was spinning. Everything now made sense. The weird looks, the "accidental" meetings, the way Vanessa always appeared at the perfect time. Vanessa was never just a friend. She was her father's eyes.

Lucy leaned back in her chair. She felt angry, but deep down, she also felt a strange sense of relief. Her father had been protecting her in the shadows the entire time.

But it still did not make Greg’s betrayal hurt any less.

Her father placed a hand on her arm. “Now you understand why I kept you in the dark. If you knew the truth, you would have acted differently. Greg would have seen it, and a dangerous man would have won.”

Lucy nodded slowly. “I understand.”

Richard leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His eyes became sharp again. “Alright, my angel,” he said, his voice cutting like steel. “Now you are going to tell me the truth. How did you suddenly marry the DiMarco heir without telling your own family? How long have you two been dating?”

Lucy’s heart pounded wildly in her ears. She kept her face completely blank. “A while,” she lied smoothly. “We have known each other for some time. It just happened very quickly.”

Her father raised his eyebrows in total disbelief. “Quickly? Lucy, that is an understatement. One minute you are my single daughter, and the next, you are another man's wife. No engagement, no family meetings, nothing. You want me to believe this is a whirlwind romance?”

She forced a fake smile. “It is about our connection, Dad. We fell in love. We did not want to waste time.”

“Love,” Richard said the word like it tasted bad. “Do you love him, Lucy? Do you really love Austin?”

Her throat felt tight, but she did not hesitate. “Yes. I do.”

Before Richard could speak, her mother, Clarisse, spoke up sharply from the couch. “And does Austin love you?”

Lucy looked directly at her mother. “Yes. He does.”

Clarisse narrowed her eyes, looking for any sign of a lie. “Because love is not a word men like Austin DiMarco use easily, Lucy. The DiMarco family is famous for many things, but sincerity is not one of them.”

Lucy took a slow breath. “We are not here because of his family's reputation, Mom. We are here because we chose each other.”

The room went completely silent. Her parents exchanged a long look.

What Lucy could never tell them was that her "love story" was a complete lie. Their marriage only existed on paper. It was a cold business deal disguised as romance. She locked that secret deep inside her mind. She was Mrs. Austin DiMarco on paper, but the reality was becoming much more dangerous than she ever expected.

…….

The next day, Lucy made her final decision. She had signed the marriage papers, agreed to Austin's terms, and there was no turning back. Today, she would face her new life.

She walked softly into the parlor. Her father was sitting in his favorite armchair, reading the morning newspaper. The bright sunlight streamed through the window, shining on his gray hair.

“Hello, Daddy,” Lucy said with a gentle smile. She leaned down and gave him a warm kiss on the cheek.

Her father looked up, his eyes twinkling as he put the paper down. “My angel… why are you dressed like the morning sun is following you around?” He smiled, but his voice was full of fatherly pride.

Lucy laughed softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Daddy… have you forgotten that your baby girl is a married woman now?”

Richard Bennett leaned back, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Ah… that. How could I forget?” He shook his head and laughed quietly. “I guess I am still trying to adjust to the idea.”

Lucy sat on the edge of the armchair next to him and held his hand. “Yes, Daddy, that,” she teased gently. “And today, I am officially moving into my husband’s house.”

Richard raised an eyebrow, pretending to be strict. “Oh? And here I thought you would stay wrapped in your father's arms forever.”

Lucy squeezed his hand tightly. She felt a deep love for the man who had always been her safe harbor. “Do not miss me too much, Daddy. I promise I will visit you all the time.”

Richard’s eyes showed a small ache of sadness about letting her go. “Alright, that is fair. Just do not forget about us little people when you are ruling the world with your powerful husband.”

Lucy’s warm laughter filled the room. She stood up and straightened her beautiful dress. “Do not worry, Daddy. I am not a baby anymore. I am grown up, I am strong, and I am ready for this life.”

Her father squeezed her hand one last time before letting go. “You will always be my angel, Lucy. No amount of money or fancy houses will ever change that.”

“I know, Daddy. Thank you for everything. Always.”

Lucy turned toward the kitchen and called out happily, “Good morning, Mom!”

Clarisse looked up from the table with a soft smile. “Good morning, my darling. You look absolutely radiant.”

Lucy walked over and held her mother’s hands. “I am ready, Mom. I am ready to face this new life… even if it scares me a little bit.”

Her mother’s eyes filled with love and pride. “Oh, Lucy… life always scares us. But you have everything you need inside your soul. You have a heart that knows how to fight.”

Clarisse stood up, her face suddenly becoming very serious. She looked out the window as a long, sleek black car pulled up to the house.

“You have a heart that knows how to fight,” her mother whispered, her voice dropping low. “And you are going to need it, Lucy. Because you have a husband who has many secrets… and the dark war for your life has just begun.”

Lucy looked out the window. Austin DiMarco was standing by the car, waiting for her. But he wasn't alone. Standing right behind him in the shadows was a messenger holding a black envelope

elope with a terrifying seal.

The seal of the Phantom.