Chapter 854

Lucian couldn't stop himself. The desire burning through him was becoming unbearable, threatening to consume him entirely.

Rosalind remained unresponsive. Her attention had already shifted to Lillian and Nathaniel crossing the street toward the car. With sudden urgency, she pushed Lucian away and straightened her dress.

The car door swung open just as Lillian and Nathaniel climbed back inside.

Lillian handed Rosalind a chilled bottle of water. "Here, you look like you need this."

Rosalind accepted it with trembling fingers. "Thank you."

Lillian studied her curiously. "Why are your cheeks so flushed?"

Rosalind immediately pressed a hand to her face, feeling the heat radiating from her skin. She forced a casual laugh. "It's just... the weather."

Nathaniel, ever perceptive, sensed the tension. His gaze flicked to the rearview mirror, where Lucian had already schooled his expression back into its usual cool mask.

Nathaniel cleared his throat awkwardly. "Mr. Graves, did I... interrupt something?"

Lucian rolled down the window, letting the crisp night air wash over him in an attempt to cool the fire in his veins. His sharp eyes met Nathaniel's in the mirror. "What do you think?"

The answer was painfully obvious.

Nathaniel winced internally. He'd definitely returned too soon.

Thirty minutes later, the sleek black car pulled up to the Whitmore family estate. Rosalind and Lillian stepped out onto the cobblestone driveway.

Rosalind smoothed her dress. "Thank you for the ride. I'll head inside now."

Lillian waved enthusiastically at Lucian. "Goodnight, Lucian!"

Lucian's gaze lingered on Rosalind before shifting to Lillian. "Lillian, why don't you come stay with me instead?"

Lillian shook her head stubbornly. "No, I want to live with Rosalind. We share a bed every night."

Lucian's eyebrows shot up. "You share a bed?"

Lillian nodded emphatically. "Always."

Memories flashed through Rosalind's mind—of simpler times when she and Lillian would curl up together in that tiny cottage, whispering secrets under the covers while Margaret's soft humming drifted from the kitchen. Those days were gone now, preserved only as bittersweet recollections.

"But you're not a child anymore," Lucian pointed out, his voice edged with something unreadable. "Rosalind will marry someday. She'll share her bed with her husband then."

Lillian scrunched her nose in confusion. "So?"

The blush on Rosalind's cheeks deepened. Sensing the conversation spiraling into dangerous territory, she grabbed Lillian's hand. "Let's go inside."

Lillian waved again. "Bye, Lucian!"

Rosalind hurried Lillian toward the grand entrance, feeling Lucian's intense gaze burning into her back until the heavy oak doors closed behind them.

"Mr. Graves, shall we return to Quantum Innovations now?" Nathaniel ventured cautiously.

Inside the villa, Rosalind drew herself a steaming bath infused with rose petals. The fragrant water soothed her frayed nerves, washing away the evening's tension. Wrapped in a silk nightgown, she finally stepped into her bedroom.

Her phone vibrated on the vanity. A single notification lit up the screen.

Her pulse quickened as she unlocked it.

A message from Lucian:

[Come down.]

Just two words. Commanding. Unyielding.

Her breath hitched. She rushed to the window, pushing aside the heavy drapes.

There, parked beneath the glow of the estate's lanterns, was Lucian's car. He hadn't left. He'd been waiting all this time.

She bit her lip, fingers trembling as she typed her reply:

[Why?]

His response came instantly:

[Don't play coy.]