Real Heiress: Flash Marriage With Boyfriend's Uncle - Chapter 171

Chapter 171: He kept secrets Chapter 171: He kept secrets Lucius stepped into the room, his boots making a soft thud against the wooden floor.

By the window, Layla sat with her legs dangling over the edge, the cool night breeze playing with her hair.

Her head rested lightly against the window frame, her gaze lost in the dark expanse outside.

At the sound of the door closing, she turned, her eyes meeting his.

“You took your time,” she said, her voice a blend of mild reproach and quiet relief.

“I was with Demitri,” Lucius replied, his tone steady yet tinged with concern.

He crossed the room swiftly, his eyes narrowing as he took in her precarious position.

“But why are you sitting like this?” Without waiting for a response, he leaned down, his hands bracketing her against the window frame, trapping her in place.

His face was so close that his cheek brushed against hers, the warmth of his skin a stark contrast to the cool air.

His voice dropped to a softer, more intimate timbre.

“Are you trying to give me a heart attack, Layla?” “What do you mean?” Layla asked, her sparkling eyes locking onto his intense blue gaze.

She tilted her head slightly, a playful smirk curving her lips.

“And did you drink?

I can smell wine,” she whispered, her voice soft yet teasing.

Lucius’s lips quirked in response.

“Just a little,” he admitted, his tone casual but his eyes never leaving hers.

Before she could say another word, he slid his arms around her with ease, lifting her as though she weighed nothing.

The sudden movement made her breath hitch, her hands instinctively clutching his shoulders.

“Lucius, put me down!” Layla protested, her voice a mix of embarrassment and indignation.

Despite her words, her gaze remained locked with his, a faint flush spreading across her cheeks.

He smirked, his eyes darkening with a hint of mischief.

“I’ll put you down,” he said, his voice low and smooth.

“In bed.” Without breaking stride, he carried her across the room and gently laid her onto the soft mattress, his movements deliberate and careful.

Layla sank into the bed, her heart racing as Lucius hovered over her for a moment, his gaze lingering.

“You shouldn’t sit by the window like that,” he murmured, his voice softer now.

“You may catch cold.

The weather is colder here.” His fingers gently threaded through her hair, the soft strands slipping between them like silk.

A faint blush dusted his cheeks, but his smile widened, warmth and sincerity radiating from him.

“Layla,” he began, his voice low and earnest, “thank you for coming into my life.

I will become a better man for you.

I promise.” Layla’s eyes softened, her hand reaching up to rest against his cheek.

“You’re already a good man,” she asserted firmly, her tone leaving no room for doubt.

Lucius shook his head, his smile fading slightly as his gaze dropped.

“I’ve done a lot of bad things in the past,” he murmured, the weight of his memories evident in his voice.

Without another word, he eased himself down beside her, his body sinking into the mattress.

Layla turned toward him, her hand still gently resting on his face.

Lucius’s hand slid to her waist, his grip firm yet gentle as he pulled her closer.

His breath fanned against her ear, his voice a low murmur.

“Don’t ever leave me,” he whispered, the vulnerability in his tone making her heart ache.

“I won’t be me if you disappear.” His eyelids grew heavy, and his words began to slow.

“And don’t hide anything from me… like Matteo did.

He kept secrets-about Tsar, about so many things…” His voice trailed off as sleep claimed him, his expression softening but still tinged with the faint shadow of his burdens.

Layla lay still, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt.

Her heart clenched, knowing the weight of his pain-the pain he masked with that disarming smile he always wore.

She could see through it, though, and it made her want to shield him from the world.

Quietly, she sat up, careful not to disturb him.

Pulling the blanket over both of them, she ensured he was warm before lying back down.

This time, she snuggled closer, her forehead resting against his chest.

~~~~ Roderick stepped into the dimly lit living room.

He held his blazer loosely in one hand, coming to a halt as his gaze landed on his mother.

Fiona sat on the couch, her posture upright but her expression weary.

The soft glow of the table lamp illuminated her face, and Roderick could see the faint lines of worry etched into her features.

“Mom, why aren’t you asleep?” he asked, his voice subdued, a mix of concern and guilt creeping in.

Fiona’s lips pressed into a thin line before she spoke, her tone calm but laced with deep emotion.

“I was forced into marrying your father,” she began, her voice steady though her eyes glistened.

“But even then, I always respected him.

And in the morning, you hurt me with your words, Rick.” Her gaze met his which was filled with pain and resilience shining through.

“Can’t a mother think about herself for once?

After all these years of loneliness?

Do you have any idea what I went through when Antoine passed away?

The emptiness, the grief… it was unbearable.” Roderick’s grip on his blazer tightened, his jaw clenching as he processed her words.

“Mom, I’m sorry,” Roderick apologized with a sincere tone.

“I shouldn’t have said that.

It’s just… I’ve got a lot on my mind lately.

Uncle Lucius is at the center of it all.

He’s the reason behind my worries.

Sometimes, I wish he had no ties to this family.” His tone was bitter, his frustration seeping through every word.

Fiona rose from her seat as she shook her head.

“You don’t need to be like Antoine,” she said.

“But remember this: your father loved Lucius more than his own life.

That bond was unshakable, no matter what you think.

Instead of dwelling on the past, focus on your upcoming role.

It’s time to prove yourself.” Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away.

Roderick muttered under his breath with resentment, “Mom’s a fool to believe that Uncle Lucius was ever worthy of my father’s love.”