Chapter 375
Chapter 375
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Lucia couldn’t take her eyes off Audrey’s belly as she walked out.
It was hard to tell whether she was staring at the check in Audrey’s pocket or at the three little gold mines growing inside her.
‘What if… Suppose… If only…‘
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Back when she married Logan, she’d still been in her thirties. If she’d had a kid, didn’t matter if it was a boy or girl, there’d be a piece of the inheritance waiting.
She hated how obedient she’d been to Logan. If she’d just caused a little “accident” back then and ended up with a child, no one would be pushing her around now.
When she tried to help Logan into the car, he brushed her off.
Her stomach dropped.
On the way home, no matter what excuse she made to start a conversation, Logan barely responded. A noncommittal grunt was the most she got.
Once they arrived, Logan went straight to his study.
He called Amelia to explain the situation and then transferred the money for the purse.
Audrey had already told Amelia everything, so Logan sweet–talked his way through it. Once he calmed her down, she let it go.
Only then did Logan tell Eden to bring Lucia upstairs.
Lucia’s whole day had been thrown off. She hadn’t even had the chance to sell the Fabergé egg. Tomorrow, she had to meet Kyle, figure out the real estate situation, and make sure Clayton didn’t explode. She was completely swamped.
She had just started telling Jenna to find out what the Fabergé egg was worth when someone came to call her into the study.
“Logan…”
“Sit.”
Lucia froze in the doorway, body stiff as a board. She didn’t dare sit. One hand still gripped the doorknob, like she was searching for an excuse to leave.
“Hmm?” His rising tone carried an unmistakable weight.
Lucia reluctantly shut the door. She walked slowly to the couch and sat on the edge, barely letting herself settle into the cushion.
“Talk. What did you do with the money?”
“I–I really did save it for Audrey…” she started, trying to sound sincere. “You know she had a failed marriage. I’m her mother. I had to look out for her.”
“There’s no one else here. Show me. How much exactly did you save?”
“Well… !…”
‘You gave it to me, so it’s mine now. Why should show you anything?‘
But of course, she couldn’t say that aloud.
Lucia forced a smile. “The money’s for Audrey, Just in case anything happens. I kept the savings books myself.
Logan leaned back in his chair and then turned his laptop toward her. “Even if you used savings books, the online banking system keeps records”
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Chapter 375
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Just because he’d stepped into a semi–retired role thanks to a capable son didn’t mean he’d gone soft in the head when it came to running Darkshell International.
Lucia’s eager–to–please smile cracked.
‘Online records? That’s even worse!‘
She’d wired money to Kyle at first, but later Kyle heard about some guy who was keeping a mistress. When the wife sued, she tracked the funds through his bank records and got every penny back.
Kyle freaked out and told her to switch to cash. He didn’t want any receipts that could be used against him in court. There were no transfers directly to Kyle, sure, but the withdrawal records were still there. If Logan pressed her, how was she supposed to explain that?
“You don’t trust me? I’m your wife, for God’s sake…” Lucia immediately shifted tactics, playing the emotional victim.
She started sobbing, listing everything she’d done for the family since marrying him, swearing up and down she’d been loyal, loving, and selfless.
Logan grew more irritated with every word.
He slapped the desk. “This is your one and only chance. I’ll overlook what happened before, but if you keep hiding things and the truth comes out later,
don’t expect me to show mercy.”
Lucia flinched hard. She kept her head down and bit her lip.
‘Trusting a man’s words is worse than believing in ghosts.‘
If Logan caught her now, he’d divorce her. No question. Especially if he was trying to get Amelia back.
The Winifred family had real power. She was just an ordinary woman. There was no way she could fight back. Audrey wouldn’t help her either. That girl would probably jump at the chance to bury her.
She’d tell the truth eventually, but not today.
“If you really doubt how much I love you, I’ll jump from the balcony right now. But the money I saved for Audrey’s future? No one’s taking that from her.”
She was willing to die to prove her love for her husband, but wouldn’t budge an inch if it meant hurting her daughter.
Logan narrowed his eyes, watching her closely.
He knew she was hiding something.
But if it was really for Audrey, maybe it wasn’t worth digging any deeper.
Eventually, he waved her away. “Go.”
Lucia left the study and let out a shaky breath the moment she stepped out. That was close. She’d just barely made it through,
After they left, Audrey pulled out the check and held it out to Yann. “You’re seriously giving this to me?”
Yann nodded.
If it wasn’t enough, he’d write another one.
She was a total money lover. Her eyes sparkled like stars the moment she saw the check.
“Then I’ll just hang onto it for now. If you ever need it, I’ll give it back.” She slipped it back into her pocket.
“Your money is your personal property,” Yann said, pulling out a chair for her. When she sat down, he gently pushed it in for her.
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“Open a separate account. Don’t mix it with the spending money I give you. And the gifts my dad gave the babies? Keep those separate too. I’m providing for you now. One day, the kids will take over.”
Audrey suddenly clutched her stomach.
Yann’s expression changed instantly. “Are you okay?”
“The babies kicked me,” she said, grabbing his hand and placing it on her belly.
“They must agree with me.” No sooner had he spoken than another solid kick hit his palm. Yann looked up at her.
‘See? I’m right. No way our children will grow up to be ungrateful. They would love to take care of their mom.’
Audrey believed it too. Every time she and Lucia argued, the babies went wild inside her, like they were ready to throw hands through her belly.
After dinner, Yann walked with her around the room to help her digest. Once she started yawning non–stop, he tucked her back into bed.
She was far along now and had to get up two or three times every night.
That night, she stirred half–asleep, reached over, and turned on the bedside lamp.
Still half–dreaming, she slid her feet across the floor, feeling around for her slippers. The entire routine was muscle memory by now, and she didn’t notice that the bed behind her was empty.
Once she found her slippers, she slowly sat up and supported her belly as she stood, heading toward the bathroom.
Just as she reached the bedroom door, she heard something unusual.
‘Huh?‘
She opened one eye and saw that the main bathroom light was on.
There was the sound of water running, mixed with some strange noises.
She turned and looked at the bed. That was when she realized Yann wasn’t there.
Hillcrest Gardens had a split bathroom layout. There was a smaller bathroom separate from the main shower, so technically she could’ve used the
smaller one.
But her feet had a mind of their own. Instead of heading toward the little bathroom, she quietly made her way toward the larger one.
She pushed the door open gently.
The glass partition was frosted in the middle. Water was definitely running inside, but there was no steam on the glass at all.
“Yann?!”
‘Did he pass out in there?‘
Even with temperature–controlled water in the villa, lying soaked on the cold bathroom floor could still make someone sick.
Audrey picked up her pace, one hand on her back and the other on the wall. She pushed the bathroom door open.
And the sight that greeted
nearly made her eyes pop out of her head.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
