"Elena!!"
"Daddy…" She imitated Sophia's innocent tone. "If Mr. Cheng won't accept my sister, what can I do about it?
"And besides, Mr. Cheng is such a shrewd man. The childish little lie you told me to spin—do you really think he'd believe it?
"I think you'd better go yourself, Dad, and have a proper talk with him. As for me—I'd rather not add to the commotion."
Before Derek could reply, Elena hung up the phone. With one quick tap, she blocked his number again.
At last, silence returned.
But the next second—
Beep-beep, beep-beep!
A car horn blared, sharp and jarring, making Elena jump.
First Lucian tormenting her, then Derek's shameless words—and now even some lousy car wanted to startle her with its horn?
Her pent-up frustration exploded. She spun around, ready to curse at the driver. But the moment her gaze landed through the half-opened window, all her anger died in her throat.
Fresh from a lesson in blood and pain, she wasn't about to forget so soon. She wouldn't dare scream at Lucian again.
The man's brows knit in displeasure.
"What are you staring at? Get in."
Elena pressed her lips together, opened the passenger door, and climbed in.
But Lucian didn't drive. He sat there, cold and silent.
Elena sneaked a glance at his face—handsome, flawless, but filled with that biting indifference. Her palms grew damp with sweat.
Everything that had happened lately had carved fear into her subconscious. Even if she was grateful that his bone marrow had saved Sean, her fear of him had not lessened in the slightest.
After a long silence, his voice cut through the air.
"What now, waiting for me to fasten your seatbelt for you?"
She startled, realizing that was why he hadn't moved. Quickly, she lowered her head, fumbled with the buckle, and blurted nervously, "I—I've fastened it."
Lucian ignored her, pressed the accelerator, and the car shot forward.
Elena had no idea where he was taking her. She didn't dare ask. She only turned to the window, watching the night blur past.
All the way, Lucian said nothing, his face as calm and cold as ever—as if nothing had happened earlier in the dressing room.
The Bentley Mulsanne turned off toward the suburbs, climbing a winding road until it stopped at the gates of a hillside villa.
The butler came at once, opening the ornate iron gates.
In the glow of the lamps, Elena recognized him instantly—he was the same man who had driven Lucian the first night she'd tried to stop his car.
The car rolled into the villa. Lucian parked, got out, and strode ahead without a single glance at her.
Elena hesitated, but followed obediently behind.
The villa's grand hall glowed with warm light. As soon as they stepped inside, seven or eight uniformed maids put down their work, lined up neatly, and bowed with smiles.
"Good evening, sir, madam!"
Elena froze.
If not for the fact that there was no other woman at Lucian's side, she never would have believed they were calling her madam.
While she stood there in a daze, Lucian had already walked past them and ascended the spiral staircase.
Elena hastily nodded to the maids and scurried after him, into the master bedroom.
A fresh floral fragrance filled the air—it came from a bouquet of flowers on the table.
Lucian didn't spare her a word. He slipped on house slippers and entered the bathroom.
The sound of running water soon followed.
Elena stared at the closed door, mind blank.
He hadn't said anything, so she didn't dare leave. Judging by the situation, she figured she wouldn't be going back to the hospital tonight. She texted Sean's caretaker, then sat quietly at the edge of the bed.
After ten minutes, the bathroom door opened.
At the sound, Elena's head turned instinctively.
Mist billowed out. Lucian walked out, wearing only a towel at his waist, rubbing his wet hair with another.
Elena's eyes flicked once—and she immediately turned away.
This was the second time she'd seen him like this. The first time, she'd been so flustered her face burned like a cooked shrimp, not knowing where to look.
Now wasn't much better. Her breathing grew frantic, panic prickling every inch of her skin.
He had grown since his youth—his build stronger, his muscles sharper. Just that single glance showed her his abs, the lines of his torso… undeniable, striking.
"Who told you to sit on the bed?"
The icy words cracked through the air.
Elena jumped up at once, stammering, "I—I'm sorry, I didn't know…"
"Filthy."
His lowered gaze darkened as he strode over, slippers scuffing the floor. He pressed the button on the phone by the nightstand. His voice was stripped of all warmth.
"Come up and change the sheets."
Humiliation scorched her chest.
So he still thought she was dirty.
She'd stayed in a house for one night, and he'd torn it apart to renovate. Now she'd merely sat on his bed, and the sheets had to be changed immediately. He couldn't stand her for even a moment.
"…I should just go."
She drew a deep breath, forcing herself to meet his eyes. Her voice was low, steady.
"I know you don't like seeing me. I actually wanted to go to the hospital anyway. I won't bother you further…"
His gaze turned dark, dangerous.
"Try walking out that door."
Her step froze midair. She looked back at him, confused.
His handsome face was shadowed with displeasure. Tossing aside the towel, he strode into the walk-in closet.
Not a minute later, he emerged and tossed a set of men's loungewear onto her, his voice cool and cutting.
"Go shower. From now on, don't sit on my bed without bathing and changing."
Clutching the clothes, Elena felt utterly lost. She couldn't make sense of him.
"And wash off that tattoo sticker. Disgusting to look at." His harsh warning lashed across the room.
She blinked, murmured, "Got it," and slipped toward the bathroom.
Elena had a habit: she never used bathtubs in other people's homes. Standing under the shower spray, she looked down at the tattoo sticker on her chest and finally understood why Lucian had bitten her so savagely.
She'd only put it there to hide the scar beneath.
But to him, it was repulsive—repulsive enough to make him tear at it until her skin bled, leaving behind raw teeth marks and broken flesh.
After her shower, Elena came out to find Lucian already lying on the bed in his loungewear, his back to her. The sheets had been replaced with fresh ones.
Only a bedside lamp was lit in the room, casting a soft golden glow that made the atmosphere seem gentler than usual.
Elena lingered at the bathroom door for a long time, watching him, but Lucian showed no movement, no sound, as if he had already fallen asleep.
Not daring to disturb him, she didn't dare lie down on the bed either. Instead, she curled up on the sofa to the side.
Even though she wasn't sharing a bed with Lucian, being in the same space, breathing the same air, still made her feel suffocated.
Unsurprisingly, she couldn't sleep. Wide awake, she counted sheep over and over until finally, hours later, drowsiness crept in and she drifted off.
In the dim light, a pair of dark eyes suddenly opened. The man sat up, glanced at the sofa, then pulled open the nightstand drawer and lit a cigarette.
Elena stirred in her sleep when something brushed her neck, tickling her until she giggled softly. "Who is it? Stop it…"
Flashes of last night's memory jolted her awake.
Her eyes widened, locking onto a pair of bright blue eyes that shimmered like stars.
It was a tiny ragdoll kitten.
"Meow~~"
The kitten called sweetly, burying its little head against her neck and rubbing until she squirmed with laughter.
"Where did you come from, little one? You're so cute…"
Delighted, Elena cradled the kitten in her arms, glancing around the room.
Daylight was already streaming in, but Lucian was nowhere to be seen—just her and the cat.
And… when had she ended up on the bed?
She had slept in Lucian's bed?
Realizing the severity of that, Elena bolted up, clutching the cat, and rushed into the bathroom to wash up. Still in his loungewear, she nearly ran out of the bedroom.
The faint scent of flowers drifted past. A maid holding a bouquet smiled warmly at her. "Good morning, Madam. The Master is in the dining room. Down the stairs, turn right, you'll see it."
The word Madam still jolted her heart.
Down the grand staircase, more maids were changing vases of fresh flowers. They too greeted her with smiles. "Good morning, Madam."
Elena quickly nodded, hurrying into the dining room.
Lucian sat by the table in casual clothes, eating breakfast while reading the paper.
With his fair skin and sharp profile, even in leisurewear he radiated an unshakable aura of nobility.
Elena froze for a moment, suddenly hesitant to approach. The ragdoll kitten nudged her gently, pushing her forward.
The butler came over and gestured to a chair. "Madam, please."
Breakfast was soon served. Elena stirred her porridge with a spoon, taking a couple of sips.
Lucian kept his eyes on the newspaper, occasionally biting into his sandwich. He never once looked at her, as if she didn't exist.
But being ignored was better than being lashed out at, or cut down with words.
"Come here."
The low voice cut through the silence like a blade.
Elena's hand trembled, nearly dropping the spoon.
She glanced up—he was still focused on the paper. For a second, she wondered if she'd imagined it.
Until he repeated, colder this time: "Come here."
Her lips parted. "I…"
"Meow~~"
The kitten leapt from her arms, trotting under the table and curling up obediently at Lucian's feet.
Elena: "Uh…"
She ducked her head again, sipping porridge.
The sound of pages turning filled the air, followed by his indifferent question: "Do you have your household registry with you?"
Elena blinked. Of all the things, that was the last question she'd expected. "Wh…what?"
"You didn't bring it?" He finally set down the paper, his deep gaze fixing on her. The tear mole beneath his left eye was disarmingly beautiful, but his eyes were cold. "Go get it."
"I…I did bring it."
Back when Sean was diagnosed with leukemia, Lynn had separated Elena and Sean's household registration, fearing the hospital might need it at any time. Since then, Elena always carried it with her.
"Bring it. You're coming with me."
Lucian rose from his chair, leaving the dining room without another word.
The kitten padded after him, and Elena followed quickly behind.
After changing, she climbed into his car.
As always, Lucian drove in silence, the air thick and suffocating. Finally, the car rolled into a parking lot.
Elena looked up at the sign—Civil Affairs Bureau.
It hit her instantly why he'd asked about the registry.
Today, the place was eerily quiet. Apart from her, Lucian, and a few staff, there were no newlyweds in sight.
The paperwork was processed swiftly. The moment the red seal pressed down, Elena's mind went blank. She wasn't even sure how she walked out, her thoughts hazy.
"Elena, I'll give you two days to cut ties with the Cheng family. I don't like my wife having a messy private life—even in name only."
With that cold decree, Lucian left her standing outside the bureau and drove off, the sleek Bugatti vanishing in seconds, leaving her with nothing but the sight of its arrogant taillights.
Elena lowered her gaze to the booklet in her hands.
Three gold characters gleamed on the cover: Marriage Certificate.
A marriage certificate??
Five years ago, when she left with five million, she thought she'd severed all ties with Lucian forever. Who would have thought that five years later, they'd end up married?
But this certificate had nothing to do with love. It was just a transaction.
Just as Lucian had said—for Sean's bone marrow, she had sold herself to him.
Elena tilted her face up toward the blazing sun. She could hardly imagine what kind of days lay ahead now.
Her phone rang sharply, dragging her back. She answered, only to hear Derek's furious roar on the other end:
"Elena, get home immediately.
If you don't, don't blame me for what happens to Sean!"