When Hearts Cross Paths

Chapter 8: Lucien’s POV — The One I Couldn’t Save

l never wanted her involved.

But fate has a cruel sense of humor.

Ariella stood by the window, arms wrapped around herself, trying to look brave while fear bled through every inch of her posture.

She reminded me too much of the girl I lost.

Same fire. Same quiet defiance.

Same way of trusting too late.

I failed once.

I won’t fail again.

“They won’t stop, will they?” she asked softly.

“No,” I answered honestly. “But neither will I.”

She turned to face me. “Why are they after me?”

Because you were born into a war you never asked for.

Because your bloodline is leverage.

Because powerful men hate loose ends.

“Because someone wants to control what you represent,” I said instead.

She laughed weakly. “I don’t represent anything.”

I stepped closer. “You represent survival. And to them, that’s a threat.”

Her eyes searched mine, vulnerable, aching. “You’re not telling me everything.”

I shouldn’t tell her.

But secrets rot people from the inside.

“There’s a man named Viktor,” I said. “He doesn’t lose what he claims.”

Her face paled.

“He claimed my family once,” I continued. “I walked away alive. They didn’t.”

Silence swallowed us whole.

“I won’t let him touch you,” I said firmly.

She swallowed. “And if protecting me gets you killed?”

I met her gaze, unwavering. “Then at least I’ll die fixing my mistake.”

Something shifted between us then.

Dangerous. Intimate.

Unspoken.