Billionaire’s Guilt: Chasing her back

Chapter 4

The next morning, Lucian wakes up to find Lily sleeping beside him, her head resting on his shoulder and her arm draped over him. Blinking in confusion, he furrows his brow, trying to piece together how they ended up at home.

He knows something happened.

Turning his gaze back to Lily, he observes her sleeping form, gently brushing aside the strands of hair obscuring her face and tucking them behind her ear. His hand traces her cheek, eliciting a soft moan from her as she shifts contentedly in her sleep, prompting him to retract his hand, careful not to disturb her peaceful slumber.

Suddenly, his eyes bulge open in realization as the events of the previous night come flooding back to him.

With careful movements, he gently disentangles himself from Lily’s sleeping form, his mind racing with a jumble of emotions and memories crashing against the walls of his consciousness.

“Damn it!” he mutters under his breath, his voice tinged with frustration and regret.

Snatching up his phone, his fingers tremble slightly as he eyes the pack of cigarettes lying on the nearby table. With a conflicted glance, he grabs the cigarettes and his lighter before making his way out of the room, each step heavy with the weight of his thoughts.

Descending the staircase, he sinks onto the couch, scolding himself for his stupidity.

With a cigarette between his lips, he flicks the lighter to life, inhaling deeply as plumes of smoke swirl around him from his nose and mouth with each exhale, each breath a futile attempt to dispel the unease growing within him.

As the smoke dances lazily around him, his phone shatters the silence, the name “Levi” flashing insistently on the screen. With a heavy heart, he answers the call, his voice tinged with weariness. “Not in the mood.”

“I get it, Lucian. You’re never in the mood. You were pretty hammered last night, but I’m relieved to see you made it home without getting busted for DUI,” Levi’s voice comes through the phone.

Lucian scoffs dismissively, his voice dripping with arrogance. “I’m Lucian Storm. No one’s got the balls to arrest me.”

“Well, looks like your devoted wife might’ve taken care of you then,” Levi retorts.

With a heavy weight of guilt settling upon him, Lucian’s eyes sag as he rises from his seat, a plume of smoke trailing behind him as he walks toward the garden

“I… uh, took advantage of her last night, Levi. It feels like I f*****g violated her. God, I’m such a bloody i***t,” Lucian confides, his expression etched with self-reproach as he leans heavily against the garden wall.

“What?!” Levi’s voice is laced with disbelief.

“I was wasted… I can’t believe how foolish I was. I can’t even bear to think… I mean, she’s got our child growing in her pu**y, and I just plowed into it… I wasn’t in control of my damn senses… the first time I had s*x with her, she practically begged me to stop… It’s official, I’m a f*****g i***t,” Lucian declares, shaking his head in self-reproach.

“And how’s she handling it?” Levi inquires.

Lucian shrugs and answers, “How would I know? She’s asleep. Probably overwhelmed. Possibly in pain…” He trails off, a scowl forming on his face. “I really need to cut back on the drinking and smoking,” he adds, taking another drag from his cigarette.

“I can picture it. I bet you’re puffing away as we speak,” Levi remarks with a chuckle, his amusement evident over the phone.

Lucian scoffs lightly, his gaze drifting downward. “Our relationship is bound to end, Levi. I tried to kill her… only to discover she’s carrying my child… I’ve kept her in the hospital for over a month… I hardly deserve anything good.”

“What about your mother?” Levi probes further. “Her situation shouldn’t be overlooked. What are your plans regarding her?”

Lucian looks through the window spotting Lily descending the stairs. “I have to go, Levi. We’ll discuss that later,” he concludes the call, hastily stubbing out his cigarette and flicking it into the nearby bin before reentering the house.

He observes Lily’s struggle with the upper cabinet in the kitchen, her delicate hand just out of reach. Without hesitation, he steps forward, extending his arm above hers to retrieve the salt container, depositing it onto the counter. “There,” he says simply.

Lily blinks, surprised by his sudden assistance, and turns to him with a grateful smile. “Thank you,” she responds softly.

He nods, seizing the opportunity to broach a more delicate subject. “So… how are you feeling? I hope I didn’t rough you up too much last night.”

Lily exhales softly, relieved that he remembered, a stark contrast to the scenes she’d witnessed in most dramas.

She shakes her head, her voice low as she replies, “I’m good,” *No, I’m f*****g not,* she thinks to herself, still feeling the ache between her legs, but she’s not about to spill that to him.

He nods once more, a flicker of determination in his eyes as he states, “Just tell mewhat you want to eat… Sit your ass down, chill out, and I’ll whip it up.”

Lily bites her lip, struggling to suppress a smile. “Technically, it’s my duty, but thanks,” she replies graciously.

Accepting her response, Lucian waits for her to depart, but she remains in place, prompting him to ask, “Any other thing?”

Not sensing any hostility, Lily decides to lay it out, her gaze tentatively locking with his piercing green eyes. “Uh, Luc, I’m heading to my first ultrasound. It’s today.”

Lucian nods thoughtfully. “I see. Well, feel free to go, since it’s important.”

Lily exhales deeply, her frustration evident in the furrow of her brow as she presses on, “You’re my husband, Luc. You should be there too. I don’t want to face this alone.”

Lucian remains resolute, shaking his head firmly. “That’s not possible. I have a packed schedule today with back-to-back meetings, crucial projects, and numerous responsibilities at the company. My entire day is accounted for.”

Tears well in Lily’s eyes, her gaze softening as she stares at him. “So your career takes precedence over our unborn child? You prioritize work over us. Fine, do as you please. I’ll go to the appointment alone,” she declares, turning to leave, but his firm grip on her hand stops her in her tracks.

Turning to face him, she meets his gaze as he speaks, “Normally, I don’t succumb to emotional manipulation, but because I want to be present for our child’s first glimpse, I’ll rearrange my morning.”

*Now, why does it sting so much?* Lily muses silently, glancing at him briefly before walking away.

As Lucian guides the car into the hospital garage and brings it to a halt, he reaches for his pack of cigarettes, the urge to indulge in a smoke nearly irresistible.

However, Lily shoots him a pointed look, halting his actions. “Could you refrain from that?” she implores.

Pausing, Lucian meets her gaze with a raised eyebrow, silently questioning her request.

Undeterred, Lily presses on. “Pregnant woman here. Whatever toxins you’re inviting into your body, they’re going to find their way into mine if I’m breathing in all that smoke.”

Lucian’s eyes briefly dart away, acknowledging her point, before he sheepishly returns the cigarette to its pack. “Just force of habit,” he mutters before stepping out of the car.

Exhaling a sigh, Lily resigns herself to the fact that he won’t open the door for her. As she meets his puzzled gaze, she realizes she’ll have to handle it herself.

She steps out of the car, closing the door firmly behind her before striding towards him. "Haven't you ever had a girlfriend? Don't you know the basic courtesy of opening a car door for a woman?" she questions pointedly.

Lucian shakes his head at her remark and responds, "I’m not one for niceties and false gestures. What’s the point of pretending to be something I’m not? That's just hypocrisy. Now, let's go," he declares, starting to walk, prompting her to quicken her pace to keep up with him.