Chapter 457: Lucius’s Surprise Return
Four months later:
Layla was returning from a meeting when Aiden intercepted her midway.
"You should head home now," he said, concern threading his voice. "Did Boss tell you when he’ll be back?"
"No news yet," Layla replied, smiling brightly. "As for leaving, I can’t. At home, all I do is think about Lucius. It’s better to stay busy. Besides, the doctor said both the baby and I are healthy, so there’s nothing to worry about. I can keep working right up to the day of delivery."
"If that’s what you want, I won’t stop you," Aiden said with a small nod. They continued walking to her office, until he opened the door and let her in.
Layla froze.
Lucius was standing near her desk, his back toward them.
"Boss!" Aiden exclaimed softly.
Lucius turned, and his gaze met hers, then fell to her rounded belly. His eyes shimmered with unshed tears as he stepped forward and wrapped her in a warm, protective embrace.
Sensing they needed a private moment, Aiden quietly stepped out, letting the door close behind him.
"I’ve returned, Layla... to you and our baby," Lucius said, pulling back slightly, a bright, tender smile on his lips. Then, lowering himself to his knees, he rested his side against her belly. "How’s my baby?"
His hands caressed her gently. He remembered her telling him a few weeks ago about the baby’s first kick, an intimate moment he had missed. Now, when the little one moved, he pressed a soft kiss to her belly, a tear threatening to spill.
Layla’s hand rested on his head, her own tears brimming, her heart overflowing with love.
"I missed you a lot," Layla said. "I’m so happy you returned without a single scratch. And you’ve got tanned," she said with a chuckle.
Lucien laughed at her remark and stood up. His hands cupped her cheeks as he pressed a kiss on her lips. However, they didn’t pull right away but kissed each other through their hearts content.
Lucius drew her into his arms once more, holding her as if he would never let go. Closing his eyes, he breathed in her presence.
"Everything I ever wanted is here now... You. And this baby. You both are my entire world."
Layla’s hand moved gently along his back, her other hand brushing away the tears that slipped from her eyes. For a moment, they simply held each other, lost in the comfort of the embrace.
When they finally pulled apart, Lucius reached into the inner pocket of his blazer and brought out a small velvet box. Opening it, he revealed the ring he had kept safe all this time. His voice dropped to a whisper as he took her hand.
"I kept it for you."
Sliding the ring onto her finger, he cradled her face and captured her lips in a deep, fervent kiss. When he broke away, his mouth lingered, trailing soft kisses along her jawline and down to her neck.
Layla gasped, her cheeks flushed. "Lucius... we’re in the office."
"I trust Aiden to keep everyone out," he murmured against her skin. Then, with sudden effort, he swept her off her feet.
"Lucius!" Layla squeaked, her face burning as she clutched at him. "I’m heavy. Please, put me down!"
He chuckled softly. "I missed carrying you like this."
He set her down gently on the office couch, settling her on his lap while his arm curled protectively around her shoulders. His gaze darkened with concern. "How could you still be working like this? I asked you to rest."
Layla smiled faintly, her eyes glistening. "Because of you. My mind was always filled with thoughts of you, Lucius. How could I sit at home, doing nothing, when I didn’t even know when you’d return?"
"I wanted to surprise you," he admitted, guilt flickering in his expression. "But instead, I made things harder for you. You had to endure everything on your own."
"I know," Layla whispered, nodding her head. "But it was for us. You only wanted to ensure nothing from the past could harm our future. I understand." She touched his cheek tenderly. "You weren’t yourself during that time, and I don’t blame you. You were protecting me, and our baby, from the shadows while facing every danger head-on. It wasn’t easy for me, but it wasn’t easy for you either."
Her words sank deep, striking a chord in his chest. Seeing such unwavering trust and understanding in her eyes, Lucius felt his composure falter. Emotion welled within him as he held her tighter than ever.
"You are so understanding," Lucius murmured, his eyes softening as he lifted her hand to his lips. He pressed a tender kiss against her knuckles, lingering there as if to savor the moment. "What good deeds did I ever do to deserve you in this life, Layla?"
Her heart ached at the sincerity in his tone. searching his eyes for the answers she longed to hear. "So... is everything truly over? Did you meet with the families Vladimir and Tsar destroyed? And what about the enemies? How did you protect yourself against them?"
Lucius exhaled slowly, his thumb brushing against her hand as though grounding himself. "Yes, Layla. I sought out every family that had suffered under Vladimir and Tsar. I gave them the justice, and the support, they deserved. And as for the enemies... I chose peace over war." His voice carried both weariness and relief.
He leaned back slightly, his eyes darkening with the memory of endless negotiations. "They had already discovered who I was. There was no hiding anymore. That was also a reason to leave your side for some time. So I sold every asset that once belonged to Vladimir and Tsar, every piece of their corrupt empire, and turned that wealth over to those enemies. It took time, far longer than I expected, but at last... it’s done. Their grudges have been silenced."
"Yes, that’s what matters. I’m proud of you," Layla said. She sealed their lips with a kiss, bringing a smile to both of them.