After the incident at the café, Lucius didn’t return home immediately. His mind was still swirling with anger and frustration, but more than that, there was an underlying sense of responsibility he couldn’t shake. The rumors about Catherine, the lies spread by Liam Claude and Annie, had ignited a fire within him. Despite everything, he knew he couldn’t let them destroy her. But it wasn’t just about protecting her—he reminded himself that it was part of the contract. After all, they were bound by the terms of their marriage agreement. It was business, not emotion.
Still, he couldn't deny that the thought of her being hurt, humiliated, and trapped by false accusations made something stir inside him—something he wasn't sure he wanted to acknowledge. The marriage was supposed to be simple, an
