Yours, Until Needed
Chapter 145: Shy

Chapter 145: Shy

ELIANA

I tried not to jump to conclusions, but that was difficult, especially when I was definitely biased against them.

But because we had no idea what kind of infertility it was, it meant that we couldn’t assume that he had always been like this.

"You told the Chairman about your findings?"

"Yeah. But for a long time, Ingrid knew that I had an idea that she’s got a secret. It’s just that I wasn’t particular about it. I actually baited that when I first asked to be engaged to you."

So, that’s why she was so adamant about selling me off. She wanted to protect her secret.

"That’s not exactly painting you in a better light, you know?"

"I know. But it’s painting a real picture of me and what I’ve done. I’m asking for an apology, but that’s bull if I couldn’t even be upfront about what I did."

Nicholas looked calmer than usual, and I guess he managed to take some of that creepy aura he’s had since before.

I guess it really does help when you know a bit about a person’s motivation.

"Then, thanks; we will look into this."

"Here. Before you go, I figured you’d want this back." Nicholas handed over a small pouch, and I was hesitant to receive it first until he said,

"Alexa was going to use this to make you do her bidding. So, you should hold onto this for safekeeping."

It was Grandma’s bracelet, her jade keepsake.

"Thank you." That earned him a more sincere thank you, as I didn’t expect to ever get this back.

Every time Alexa wanted something, she’d threaten to misplace, break, or sell off this bracelet as if she owned it.

Grandma originally gave it to me, but Alexa cried about it to the patriarch, saying that it was unfair because I got to spend time with Grandma while she didn’t because we found her late.

Like it was our fault.

She said that if she had this bracelet with her, she’d feel much closer to Grandma.

And the Chairman gave in, saying that I at least had memories, so maybe I could lend it to her for now.

That was probably Alexa’s first major victory and how she figured out how things worked in the clan.

But now, it’s back here with me, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

__

Back at the police station, we had people who came in with another cuffed criminal.

It was a ’family’ reunion. While we brought over Alexa, my parents dragged over Ingrid, who actually attempted to flee when snippets of the confrontation leaked through social media.

While she didn’t know about her secret probably leaking, she was already ready to flee by herself.

Dad said she had no intentions of even contacting Aldrin.

When Alexa saw her mom coming in, she screamed, demanding to be saved.

"Mom! Look at what they’ve done to me! You have to get me out of here!"

She probably didn’t see how she also had her hands behind her back, similarly cuffed.

"Shut up. This is not the time for you to act like that!" Aunt Ingrid said in a low voice. Alexa felt indignant that even her mother refused to side with her.

That was until she saw the cuffs on her.

"Mom... Why are you cuffed, too?"

Like mother, like daughter.

For a moment, I rubbed my stomach, wondering if my child would also be a reflection of me. What if we end up becoming like that? Two individuals that would be a menace to society.

But then I felt Lucian’s arms circling around me, his fingers intertwining with mine in worry.

"What’s wrong? Do you want to go to the hospital?"

We were under such a stressful situation earlier, and now that I know I’m pregnant, there was no way I was going to just play it cool.

This time, I agreed, and Lucian didn’t waste time informing the officers of our trip to the hospital.

Lucian and I were stuck like glue even as we sat at the back of the car. It felt more secure like this for me.

But I do feel bad about Lucian. I’ve never seen the guy look this exhausted, and even as I brushed his bangs away from his eyes, all he did was look at me.

No trace of teasing, sneering, or blaming.

In fact, he had a different look, probably because of what he was about to say.

"I’m sorry."

He looked me squarely in the eyes, and I panicked a bit. I don’t know what’s going through his mind and why he was apologizing.

"Huh? Why are you sorry? Did you do anything wrong?" I chuckled nervously, not really knowing how to deal with Lucian when he’s like this.

"Everything nearly ended earlier. What was all of this for if I couldn’t even do the most basic thing, such as protect you and our child?" Lucian scoffed, likely at himself.

And I didn’t really think he’d blame himself for that because none of that was his fault.

"You don’t get to blame yourself for the sins of others. You, Sir, should learn to share. Especially for bad things that you shouldn’t be accountable for."

My husband has always been greedy, but only for the good things. Lately, he’s developed a bad habit of taking on things that would decrease his gains.

"It’s good to apologize for when it’s your fault, but don’t go apologizing for things that you didn’t do. You’ll get me used to it, and I’ll be more demanding."

I flicked his forehead, chuckling at him. But Lucian remained somber and still lost in thought.

"You know what? You’ve been evolving. First, you learned to ask for permission, and now you’re even apologizing. If you keep this up, you might just end up saying, ’I love you.’" I laughed because it was like teaching a child about feelings. But this time, the child was so big he could run a country.

"Yeah. I’m way past that stage as it is." He took a deep breath like he had been keeping that in for a while now.

Lucian brushed away the stray hairs on my cheek, and I shivered at his touch.

"I’m past lip service. I already know. I’ve already accepted it."

"I’m dead sure that I love you more than myself."

He said it slowly and reverently like he’d just confirmed his speculations and was preaching it to me.

But my brain wasn’t exactly cooperating. It feels like it’s short-circuited, and the only thing that could function was my ability to blush.

If anyone checked, even the soles of my feet would probably be blushing.

"You... You shouldn’t make such jokes, okay?!"

Way to go, Eli. You sounded so confident that even Lily would see through you.

"A joke? You wanna know a joke?" Lucian cocked his head to the side, and my heart thumped louder the longer this went on.

"A joke would be our marriage on paper. There are 195 countries, and we’re only married in one." He had a finger to emphasize that ’one,’ and I almost choked.

"I suggest we remedy this asap before it starts gnawing on me." He looked at me pointedly, and I was too flabbergasted to react.

"You have got to be kidding, right?!"

Where the hell did he learn these things?!

"Yeah, right, putting a kid in you was me kidding. Do you want another one?" He asked with an innocent face like he didn’t just say something so risque!

"Lucian!" I smacked his arm, and he just shrugged at that.

"How could you go straight into re-marriage when you didn’t even ask if I feel the same way."

"You’re too shy to admit it. So, what’s the point of asking?"

"Too shy, your face! Who’s too shy?!" I screeched at him even as my face overheated.

There was no way this was happening. I’m probably just delirious or something.

"You are. Even when your entire body tells me every day and even when your head probably screams it at you, you’d be too shy to admit it."

"It’s fine. I understand. It may be a bit difficult for some adults to be emotionally in touch with themselves."

Say what now?!

"Are you asking for a beating?!" I glared at him. How on Earth was it possible for me to be the one out of touch with my emotions?!

"No. But I understand if that’s how you feel. I’ll accept it since I know you’re shy."

I scoffed at the audacity of this bear-child.

"Who is shy about what?! Why would I be too shy to say ’I love you’?!"

"I love you! See?! Who’s shy now?!" I glared at him, my face scrunched up in annoyance.

"I love you too." He said, a smirk growing on his face.

"See, that wasn’t so hard, right? Congratulations, my love."

*Gasp!*

My God, I’ve been bamboozled again, haven’t I?