Real Heiress: Flash Marriage With Boyfriend's Uncle - Chapter 34

Chapter 34: I will become strong too

“Sit here,” Lucius said, his hand patting the mattress beside him, a silent invitation for Layla to join him. She hesitated for a moment before settling down, her fingers absentmindedly fiddling in her lap as her mind raced with questions. What could he possibly want to say?

To her surprise, Lucius gently pulled her into his embrace, his warmth immediately soothing her nerves. “I should have considered your feelings more,” he began in a low voice. “I’ve never been in love before, and marrying the woman I liked led me to handle things in my own way. I’m sorry for that.”

Layla blinked slowly, his unexpected words striking something deep within her. The vulnerability in his apology moved her in a way she hadn’t anticipated. “It’s fine,” she whispered.

“I wasn’t exactly vocal about my feelings for Roderick either.” She hesitated before pulling her face away from his chest, meeting his eyes for the first time since their conversation began. “That day you said you had a crush on a woman… Was it—was it me?” Her voice wavered, uncertain but hopeful.

Lucius remained silent for a brief moment, his expression thoughtful, and Layla immediately regretted asking. “Ahh, never mind,” she muttered, embarrassed, looking away. “I must be crazy to think like that.”

But then Lucius chuckled softly, a gentle sound that made her turn back to him. “Of course, it was you,” he confessed with a smile. “Didn’t I say I liked it when you scolded me? That was four years ago, remember? You told me scolded me that day, but in the most soothing way.” His eyes held a mixture of fondness and nostalgia, recalling the memory that had evidently meant more to him than she had ever realized.

It had been one of the darkest days of his life when their paths crossed, but it was her presence that had brought him some light.

Layla found herself speechless, her heart began racing. The revelation left her wondering why he hadn’t pursued her back then. She wasn’t seeing anyone at the time, so what had stopped him?

As though reading her mind, Lucius spoke again. “I realized later that I had feelings for you, but I wanted you to finish your university studies. I wasn’t in a position to ask you out either,” he added. “I wanted you to focus on your future first, without me adding confusion into your life.”

“What do you mean by that?” Layla asked, her voice uncertain as she tried to make sense of Lucius’s words.

Lucius met her gaze with a calm, unwavering expression. “I’m a mafia, Layla,” he stated plainly. “My work doesn’t allow for attachments. I couldn’t afford to like anyone unless I wanted to, unless I was ready.”

Layla’s breath hitched at his confession, her mind reeling. “So, you… use violence on people? I mean…” She trailed off, struggling to find the right words, a knot of unease forming in her chest.

“I do,” Lucius confirmed without hesitation. “The De Salvo family’s roots are deeply tied to the mafia, and I’m carrying on that legacy.”

Layla blinked, trying to reconcile the man she had grown close to with the darker side he was now revealing. “But you run a company too,” she said, her voice wavering. “I thought you just kept the gun to scare people, to keep them in line.”

Lucius’s lips curled slightly, but there was no humor in his smile. “I use it when necessary. When I believe someone shouldn’t be alive anymore. Some people are simply a burden to the world, and I make sure they don’t add to it.”

A chill ran down Layla’s spine at how casually he spoke about taking a life. “Oh,” was all she managed to say, suddenly unsure of how to respond.

Lucius tilted his head, studying her reaction. “Now that you know I kill… do you hate me?” His question was direct, but his tone carried a strange vulnerability, as if her answer actually mattered to him.

Layla met his gaze, searching her feelings. “No,” she replied softly. “I don’t hate you. But I do dislike seeing you with guns.” It was the truth, a line she felt she could draw even as she processed everything he had confessed. Despite the darkness that surrounded Lucius’s life, she couldn’t bring herself to hate him, but the violence unsettled her.

Lucius’s eyes softened at her response. “Fair enough,” he murmured, his hand reaching out to gently take hers. “I like it when you are honest with me,” he added. “My Dad tried setting me up with many, but all they desired money from me. You, on the other hand, always attracted me to you,” he whispered, kissing the knuckles of her hand while gazing into her eyes.

Layla felt strange in her heart. She did feel like that before too, but the current feeling was different. It came out from the deep of her heart.

“But I also am selfish. I used your name in tarnishing Orabela’s image a few days ago when she circulated rumors about me. I’m not as good as you think,” Layla said.

“You aren’t as bad as you think,” Lucius pronounced. “You even cooked for me, waited for my return and sat for meals with me. On our date, you didn’t ask how much villas or mansions I own. That’s what makes you beautiful. You are curious to know me, which others never were,” he asserted.

“Well, people are selfish,” Layla said. “Also, I’ve always been alone in everything, except for the time I dated Roderick. Your presence did make me feel warmer. It gives me a sense of security that I’m not alone,” she remarked.

Just then, she recalled about the drink in the party.

“How did you know Orabela spiked the drink?” Layla was puzzled.

“Those are my men, Layla. Do you think I would have trusted that party with outsiders? Your cunning sister bribed the waiter with a few cents and asked him to spike your drink with a strong sedative. He informed me later,” Lucius explained.

Layla’s lips quirked into a small smile, despite the seriousness of the situation. “So, the drinks weren’t actually spiked. You could’ve let me have it, you know,” she teased lightly.

Lucius shook his head, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. “You get drunk too easily, and I wanted you sober. My father would’ve thrown a fit if he saw you like that,” he said, “and I would have argued with him then.”

“Thank you for tonight,” Layla said suddenly. She glanced at the digital clock on the bedside table and widened her eyes. “Oh, wow. We’ve talked so much, it’s late. We should get some sleep,” she murmured, preparing to move to the other side of the bed.

Before she could get up, Lucius gently pulled her back, guiding her to lie beside him. He removed her room slippers and pulled the duvet over them both.

With two claps, the room fell into darkness. He shifted closer, wrapping his arm around her waist. “I love it when I hug you to sleep,” he whispered against her ear, his breath warm on her skin. “I hope you won’t mind. If you do, just tell me.”

Layla’s heart skipped a beat, but she smiled in the darkness. “No, I like it. It makes me feel safer,” she admitted, closing her eyes as a sense of peace washed over her.

After a moment of silence, she added softly, “I have so many things to uncover about you. I’ll ask you all my questions one by one, but not tonight. It feels strange in a good way, knowing you stand up for me, fight for me. But I will become strong too, Lucius. I’ll protect you just like you protect me. I promise.”

Lucius didn’t respond, but his hold on her tightened ever so slightly. Layla drifted off to sleep, her heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time.