I looked at Lucian and suddenly understood why he was acting so off.
He was nervous.
Every word was a feeler.
He was scared.
Scared that now Carter was back, I’d leave.
I knew how Lucian felt about me.
Whether it was love at first sight or something that grew over time-
Men aren’t good at hiding their feelings.
Even knowing I was pregnant and still technically married to Carter,
He kept showing up.
Kept caring.
I had to admit–it was bold.
And honestly? It was touching.
‘So what if he’s here?” I said with a smile.
‘It’s not like I’m gonna go see him.”
Lucian’s eyes lit up like Christmas.
He looked like he wanted to pick me up and spin me around–but remembered I was pregnant and didn’t dare ouch me,
nstead, he just stood there awkwardly, rubbing his palms on his jeans.
‘Good… good… good…”
He sounded like he forgot how to form a sentence.
‘I get it now.”
‘You were gonna let Carter raise the baby, right? As payback.”
15:20
Nine Years Wasted–Now I’m Marving Your Rival
Chapter 9
I didn’t answer.
But he wasn’t wrong.
Lucian smiled, his eyes crinkling.
“Doesn’t matter. I’m telling you right now–his money? It’s yours.”
“The entire Kingsley fortune–that’s my engagement gift to you.”
I smiled and nodded.
A quiet yes.
His eyes were so sincere.
I knew he wouldn’t let me down.
Just like Lucian said–a few days later, Carter landed in Seattle.
I was at a prenatal appointment with Lucian when it happened.
This baby was from IVF.
I didn’t even know who the biological father was.
But that didn’t matter.
All I wanted was a child to love, and who would love me back.
Carter looked at my baby bump, and his eyes went red.
“Sienna… you’ve been through hell.”
I had imagined this reunion a hundred different ways.
But never like this.
Never with him looking at me like that.
Like he actually felt something,
He took a deep breath and stepped forward, trying to take my arm from Lucian’s.
“Come home.”
15:20
Chapter 9
“Let’s stay in Seattle. Focus on the baby.”
He probably thought I had left the country while pregnant to punish him.
Like I ran away because he didn’t want this baby.
Because I was scared he’d reject the child.
“Ethan’s excited for his little brother. He’ll be happy to see you.”
I thought of Ethan’s face, scowling at me in perfect French.
Carter really didn’t even try to lie convincingly anymore.
Sure, maybe adults could change.
But not kids.
Ethan had never respected me.
He probably thought Vivienne even cheated better than I ever could.
I shook my head.
“Don’t bother. Me and my baby–we don’t need your love.”
“Let’s just settle the custody and get divorced.”
Carter shook his head in panic.
“No… no, don’t say that. Why divorce?”
“The baby needs a father.”
“He has one,” Lucian cut in.
“I don’t care whose baby it is. If it’s hers, I’ll love it.”
We both ignored the elephant in the room-
Who the father really was.
Carter grabbed my arm, eyes wild with disbelief.
But this was Lucian’s territory.
His security had Carter removed in seconds.
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Chapter 9
And that was the last time I ever saw him.
The next time I heard about Carter was when the divorce papers were finalized.
Lucian took care of everything–handled the divorce, negotiated the settlement, and made sure I got the prenup payout he promised.
Just like that, my decade of devotion came to an end.
Lucian held me close and whispered, “From now on, all you need to do is enjoy being loved by me.”
I reached up on my toes and kissed him.
I stayed in Seattle for the rest of my pregnancy and delivered safely.
When I saw my daughter for the first time, I was stunned–she looked a little mixed–race.
Lucian noticed too and laughed, “No way–did you seriously pick a foreign donor at the clinic?”
I don’t know what came over me, but I had them both tested.
Sure enough, the baby was his.
I looked at him and asked, “Was this all part of your plan too?”
But Lucian just stared at me, eyes wide with awe, and shook his head.
“This… this is God’s blessing,” he said quietly.
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
