Love In Disguise: Rebirth of the Heiress
Chapter 60

Chapter 60: Chapter 60

The nightmare had been relentless this time, dragging me back into memories that twisted into scenes of confusion and dread. Faces from my past swam up, mingling with shadows that whispered threats I couldn’t fully understand. I jolted awake, drenched in cold sweat, the lingering fear sitting like a rock in my chest.

After a long breath to clear my head, I checked my phone, noticing an unexpected cash transfer. I frowned. It wasn’t a huge amount, but enough to make me wonder who’d sent it. Deciding not to overthink it, I focused on something that’d been on my mind lately: businesses that might take off in a few years.

Pulling up my laptop, I started researching sectors I was sure would boom soon, eyeing a few industries I knew from experience were worth investing in. Tech startups, renewable energy, some land near the upcoming commercial areas—each opportunity felt like a fresh beginning, a smart move to secure a solid future. After checking a few listings, I even found a property that seemed promising. It wasn’t far, and I booked an appointment to see it later today. With all that happened lately, I needed to take control of something, and investing seemed like the perfect distraction.

After a long, hot shower, I felt refreshed and ready to face the day. The mess of the last few days—Jessica, Gabriel, the horrific scene in her closet—felt like a fog I could finally step away from. Determined to keep my mind on lighter things, I decided to spend the weekend enjoying some freedom from all the chaos. I’d go out, dress up, and remember what it felt like to be in my own skin again.

But that didn’t mean I was leaving things unattended. I quickly placed a call to a contact I’d made in my past life, someone who specialized in... unique services. If Jessica thought she could cover up what she’d done, she was wrong. I instructed him to retrieve the body from her closet and keep it preserved. I wanted to know who that person was and why it had happened. This wasn’t over by a long shot.

With that settled, I put on a fresh outfit, something chic but comfortable—a loose blouse, fitted jeans, and a pair of ankle boots. I looked around my now-clean apartment and felt a surge of calm. Maybe today could actually be... normal.

The streets were buzzing with weekend energy as I wandered into a quaint coffee shop, the smell of roasted beans and warm pastries hitting me immediately. I ordered my coffee to go, deciding to enjoy it while wandering through the nearby park.

But as I stepped out of the shop, my foot landed on a loose stone. My ankle twisted, and in that instant, I stumbled forward, my coffee flying from my grip. I crashed into someone, coffee splashing all over them.

"Oh no—my ankle—I’m so sorry!" I stammered, looking up as the man steadied me, his hands firm around my arms.

I blinked, and recognition hit me. It was Lucian. Tall, dark-haired, his face as striking as ever, though now his suit was splattered with coffee stains.

Lucian’s eyes twinkled as he took in the situation, his mouth lifting in a small smirk. "Falling all over me, are we?" he teased, his voice low and smooth as he kept his hands around me, making sure I was stable.

"More like an unfortunate accident," I muttered, wincing as I tried to put weight on my foot.

Seeing me struggle, Lucian glanced down at my ankle, his smirk giving way to a look of concern. "Sit down," he said firmly, guiding me over to a nearby bench. I sank down, still embarrassed, as he studied my ankle. "Wait here. I’ll be right back."

Before I could say anything, he turned and strode back into the coffee shop. A few minutes later, he returned, a small first-aid kit in hand. He knelt down, carefully lifting my ankle to inspect it.

"You’re seriously going to bandage me up?" I asked, watching him in surprise.

He glanced up, his expression unreadable. "What kind of man would I be if I left you here injured?" he replied, his voice soft.

The words made me pause, and I looked away, feeling a bit flustered. "Well... thank you."

Lucian didn’t reply, instead focusing on wrapping the bandage around my ankle with gentle precision. He worked quickly, his fingers sure and steady. When he finally finished, he glanced up and gave me a smile that was disarming in its sincerity.

"It should hold for now. Try not to put too much weight on it for the rest of the day."

I couldn’t help but laugh softly, still stunned by his unexpected kindness. "And your suit? You’re covered in coffee."

He shrugged, brushing it off as if it were nothing. "It’s just a suit. Easily replaceable."

I raised an eyebrow, noting the faint red mark on his hand where the hot coffee had splashed. "Looks like you’ll be getting a burn out of this little rescue, too."

Lucian glanced at the mark and smirked. "It’s just a scratch. Worth it, given the company." He leaned back, crossing his arms as he looked at me thoughtfully. "Funny, though... we keep meeting under less-than-ideal circumstances."

"Seems like fate has a twisted sense of humor," I said with a small smile, and his expression softened.

He held my gaze for a moment, his dark eyes intense and full of something I couldn’t quite place. "Maybe so. But I’m not complaining."

We sat in silence for a moment, the energy between us shifting to something lighter, almost comfortable. Despite everything, I felt my shoulders relax.

"Thanks," I said again, genuinely this time. "Really, you didn’t have to do all this."

Lucian’s mouth curved up in that signature smirk. "Oh, I don’t mind helping a beautiful woman in need," he replied, his tone playful. Then his gaze darkened, a flicker of curiosity crossing his features. "Though I do wonder what brings you out here today, hobbling around and spilling coffee."

I shrugged, laughing lightly. "Believe it or not, I was trying to have a relaxing day. Something quiet, without... complications."

His smirk widened. "Complications have a way of finding you, don’t they?"

"Yeah, well, I think I’m just lucky like that," I replied dryly, and he laughed.

He rose to his feet, glancing down at me with an amused look. "Take care of that ankle, Kiara. Maybe next time we meet, it’ll be a bit less dramatic?"

"Maybe," I replied, a small smile tugging at my lips.

As he walked away, I watched him for a moment, surprised by the warmth that lingered after his departure.