Chapter 34: After Vukan

After Vukan spoke, he hugged me and said, "Martins, let's go!" Luka then lifted me into his arms and carried me away.

Victoria's face paled, and she trembled. "Did I hear that correctly? What did he say?"

Bella's expression was ugly, and her voice strained. "He said Sophia is his wife. But when did this happen? Why didn't we know?"

Victoria's face turned green with regret. She closed her eyes and murmured, "No wonder!" No wonder Stratovski Jewelry had helped Sophia so much. She had deeply offended Luka Stratovski!

Bella said bitterly, "Sophia is becoming more and more reckless. She didn't even tell us about something as significant as her marriage. Does she even consider you her mother?"

Victoria snapped, "Does it matter what we say now? Hurry and get Gerald to the hospital!" She couldn't believe Sophia had married without telling them the truth.

Bella's lips trembled. She wrung her hands, devastated. Whywhy did Sophia, that wretched woman, have such good fortune? Why did she marry Luka? No wonder she could turn defeat into victory and triumph over them. She was consumed with resentment.

Northern Manor

Luka and the family doctor emerged from the room. "How is she?" Luka asked.

"It's not serious," the doctor replied. "Just an overdose of a sedative. She'll be fine once she wakes up."

Luka finally breathed a sigh of relief. After dismissing the doctor, he returned to his room and sat by the bed.

Unspoken Farewell at 30,000 Feet

He looked at the person lying on the bed, as still as a child. His eyes heavy, he gently pinched my cheek. "I told you you were stupid, and you didn't believe me. Now you've proven me right?"

The person on the bed remained unresponsive. Luka stared at my face for a few seconds, then shook his head angrily and carried me to the bathroom.

He had intended to bathe me, but after removing my clothes, he realized he'd overestimated his self-control. He placed me in the tub, but the sight of my bare shoulders in the water overwhelmed him. Heat flushed his body, anger rising. He turned away, pouring water over me. He quickly bathed me, then wrapped me in a large towel, carried me out, and tucked me under the blankets. Afterward, Luka hurriedly showered himself.

He hesitated for a moment before going to the next room. He lay there for over two hours, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Irritably, he patted his hair, then finally went to my room.

As he approached the bed, he smelled my faint perfume.

The next morning, I opened my eyes to the sight of a man's chest. Memories flooded back, and I remembered everything from the previous night. Gerald's hateful face flashed before me. Unable to look at the man holding me, my eyes burning with anger, I used all my strength to kick him out of bed. Luka, sound asleep, was jolted awake by the sudden pain and flew off the bed.