It took me a few minutes to process the secretary's jumbled words.
Lucian had been in a car accident.
But it wasn't anything serious, just a mild concussion. The real issue was that he'd been drugged at a banquet.
"Miss Ferguson, you have no idea. There have been so many women eyeing Mr. Sutherland over the years, it's impossible to guard against them."
By the time I arrived at the hotel, the secretary was practically shoving me into the room, her fist clenched tightly. "Hurry, he needs you to save him."
I was utterly confused.
In fact… this scene was eerily familiar from my past life.
He'd been drugged, and I half-heartedly saved him, unsure of who initiated what.
But that felt like it was an eternity ago, so long that I hadn't even thought about it.
I entered the bathroom. Lucian was submerged in cold water, his face flushed. He wore his clothes and had a bandage around his head, his blue shirt slightly open, revealing the faint outline of his muscles. His lips were a deep crimson, trembling as he mumbled in delirium.
"Don't leave. Don't go. Don't leave me." I approached him, and Lucian suddenly opened his eyes, grabbing my wrist with an icy glare.
…
It took all my strength to pull him out of the bath, change his clothes, and dry his hair. Lucian stared at me blankly the entire time, as though he couldn't believe what was happening.
After a long pause, he bit his lip and managed to ask, "Why? Why are you so kind to him?"
I touched his forehead, utterly puzzled. "What are you saying? Who?"
Had he truly become a fool from the accident?
His eyes were cloudy, almost as if they were about to shatter as he caressed my face. "Is this a dream? Marie…" His gaze was so full of sadness. I had thought I'd finally been able to soothe Lucian recently.
He'd been looking at me with a gentler, almost angry expression.
He would smile when he saw me, blush, and be shy—definitely not like the awkward, gloomy person before me now.
Before I knew it, he pulled me onto his lap, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist. He pressed his forehead to mine, breathing heavily and muttering, "You didn't push me away, so…"
That intense look burned my cheeks.
He lightly brushed his lips against mine, then tucked me in, looking thoroughly content as he drifted to sleep.
And... I didn't know what I was expecting.
In the darkness, he kept his eyes on me, as though afraid I would disappear.
I inhaled his familiar scent, licked my lips, and found myself leaning closer. It reminded me that in my past life, I was the one who made the first move. But Lucian had avoided me for a long time.
Until my mother secretly contacted him, telling him we should have a child. With a child, the cooperation between our families would be solidified.
Having a child was what made a complete family. After that, he blushed and moved back into the bedroom.
That was one of the few times we were close and intimate, until Olivia appeared.
Thinking back to that, I nipped at his red ear and asked, "Tell me, did you call out for Olivia or Marie?"
I'd been wanting to ask this for a long time.
After all, these two names were so similar, it wouldn't be impossible for him to mix them up.
Lucian pressed my head down forcefully, whispering in my ear, "Marie, I love you."
My heart swelled with joy.
I didn't notice the cold, distant look that crossed Lucian's face in that split second.
The next day, when I was sent back to the Sutherland residence, Lucian repeatedly assured me he would be back for dinner. I thought he had finally come to his senses.
But then, later that evening, I received the news.
He had tried to kill himself again.
The secretary was truly crying on the phone. I was shocked and, at the same time, utterly confused.
Why? Hadn't everything seemed to be falling into place?
