Chapter 3 The Domineering Lukas

Anna slipped closer, gently taking Lia’s hand.

Softly, as if concerned, she whispered, “Lia, are you alright? Did Lukas… do anything to you last night?”

Her eyes flicked downward—and froze.

On Lia’s pale neck and chest were scattered purple marks. Kiss bruises.

Anna’s pupils shrank. “Did you sleep with Mr. Müller?”

Lia frowned at Anna’s hand gripping her so tightly. Behind the fake concern, she saw raw cruelty gleaming in Anna’s eyes.

“Did he force you?” Anna pressed, voice low but urgent.

“No,” Lia said evenly.

Anna’s heart twisted with hate. Two years—Lukas had never touched Lia. Yet on the very eve Lia had planned to run away with another man, he finally had.

Feigning outrage, Anna said, “How could he do this? You even asked him for a divorce, yet he forced himself on you. Don’t worry, I’ll find a way to rescue you.”

Rescue? Lia almost laughed. That “rescue” had once delivered her straight into hell.

In her past life, Anna’s sweet concern had been poison. She had pushed Lia to defy Lukas, to betray him, to lure him into a deadly trap. Lia had believed her, and Lukas had died for it.

Anna’s own words still echoed in her mind: “Do you think marrying Lukas means you’ve made it? His parents despise you—they only like me. You’ve hurt him again and again. Every scar on his body is your fault. I’ll show them what a real wife should be, after you divorce him.”

The memory made Lia’s hand tremble.

Anna squeezed her fingers, tears welling theatrically. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll take you away.”

“Who said I’m leaving?” Lia’s cold reply stunned her.

For the first time, Anna faltered. Lia’s calm, penetrating gaze made her skin crawl.

Still, Anna played her part. “You must blame me. But Lukas’ power is overwhelming—we’ll have to plan carefully. As soon as I got your call last night, I rushed to Stilles Haus, but they wouldn’t let me in…”

Lia’s lips curved into a mocking smile. She pulled her hand free.

Anna’s heart clenched. Something was wrong. Lia wasn’t clinging to her like before.

Trying to grab her again, she was stopped by Lia’s quiet voice.

“Lukas and I just got married. Why would I leave?”

Then, leaning close to her ear, Lia whispered with a wicked smile: “Between us… Lukas is very good in bed.”

Anna’s eyes went wide.

She stared at Lia’s retreating figure, her mind spinning with rage and jealousy.

Lia walked toward Lukas. Memories tumbled through her—years of knowing him, years of misunderstanding him. Under Anna’s poison, she had blamed him for everything: for keeping her from Jan, for separating her from her brothers. She hadn’t seen that his “domineering” was really protection.

“Lukas,” she whispered.

His gaze snapped to hers. “Come here.”

The command left no room for refusal.

She drew a steadying breath and walked over. Before she could even sit, his arm swept around her waist, pulling her down onto his lap.

He laced their fingers together, his voice low at her ear. “Today is Felix’s birthday. Be good. If you want to make trouble, do it at home.”

“I wasn’t—” she began.

“Lia.” He cut her off. His hand caught her chin, thumb pressing against her lower lip. Then his mouth claimed hers.

The sudden kiss silenced the entire banquet hall. Hundreds of eyes widened.

Wasn’t it said Mr. Müller never let women near him? That he had devoted himself to a single love? Yet here he was, kissing Lia Wagner—in public.

Lia froze, stiff with shock. His grip only tightened, forcing her closer.

The kiss ended as abruptly as it began. Lukas’ lips brushed hers as he murmured, “Don’t be afraid of me.”

“I…I’m not,” she whispered. But the shadows of her past imprisonment still haunted her; fear coiled in her chest no matter how she denied it.

“You’re lying.”

Her heart pounded. She wanted to defend herself—but instead, she seized his tie and kissed him back, fierce and desperate.

Gasps swept the hall. The crowd instinctively stepped back, giving them space.

In the corner, Anna’s nails dug into her palms, her jealousy blazing.

Lia broke the kiss, looking straight into Lukas’ eyes. “I’m not lying. I won’t run anymore. I won’t hurt you again. Every wound I caused—I’ll bear it. You don’t have to believe me now. I’ll prove it.”

His arms locked around her, holding her hard against his chest. “I hope you mean that,” he said, voice low.

Heat rose in Lia’s cheeks. She hadn’t planned for this—she’d wanted to show her sincerity privately. Instead, Lukas had kissed her first, in front of everyone.

She couldn’t help the flicker of happiness in her chest.

Picking up a champagne glass, she said brightly, “Lukas, let’s toast the Adler patriarch.”

“No.” Lukas took the glass from her hand. “You’re not drinking.”