Bella stepped into the house and froze.
Lucian was there, his tie hanging loose around his neck, jacket discarded, sitting on the living room sofa with a cigarette between his fingers. Smoke curled into the air as his dark eyes lifted and locked onto her.
The room felt hot instantly.
“Welcome back, sir,” Bella said, keeping her voice steady and casual.
Her mind raced.
Did he see me?
Was the gate left open on purpose… or was it just coincidence?
Lucian said nothing. He only took another slow drag from the cigarette, his gaze never leaving her face. The silence stretched, like he was deciding how much he already knew and what to say.
Bella swallowed.
“Why are you returning at this time?” he asked and exhaled a thin stream of smoke after the question, then glanced at his watch. 7:30
