The Devil's Contractual Bride-Chapter 33: Internal Blaze

Aria’s POV

I’ve been awake for over an hour and gladly the severe headache I had when I woke had subsided. Nurses flung in and out of the room, doing anything but telling me where Lucian was.

Before I could finish that thought,the door flew open with such force that the handle banged against the wall. I flinched, the heart heart monitor spiking in protest, but then I saw him.

Lucian.

He looked transfixed,for a heartbeat he just stood there staring at me as if I might disappear if he blinked.

Then he moved towards me with his arms already open and I braced myself for the impact but before he could reach me,the nurse, when I had learnt her name to be Maria,stepped in front of him, palms up.

"Mr. Voss slow down. She’s still fragile and might panic due to sudden movements. The hug you’re offering now isn’t advisable. Her ribs are still bruised and the incision site is fresh."

Lucian froze mid-step, hands hovering inches from me. His gaze flicked to the nurse, then back to me with raw desperation written in every line of his face.

"I’m sorry," he rasped. "I just—"

"I know." Maria’s tone softened. "But she’s been awake less than an hour. Let her breathe."

He nodded jerkily, swallowed hard, then stepped closer slowly. His hands found mine carefully, lowering his head,he pressed his lips to my forehead.

The kiss lingered until I felt the damp heat of his tears against my skin.

"I thought I’d lost you," he whispered underneath his breath. "I thought I’d never get to say I’m sorry."

I lifted my free aching hand and cupped the back of his neck. My fingers tangled in his hair. "You’re here now and that’s enough," I managed to speak.

He pulled back just enough to look at me properly. His eyes searched mine for long seconds.

"You’re really awake," he said, like he needed to convince himself.

"I am Lucian." I tried to smile but hurt my split lip.

Maria cleared her throat. "I’ll give you two a moment, but keep it calm.I’ll be right outside."

Lucian didn’t even glance at her as she left. He sank into the chair beside the bed, still holding my hand like it was the only thing tethering him to the world.

Silence stretched between us for a while.

Then I remembered.

"What about Andre? Is he alright?"I whispered.

Lucian’s thumb stroked the back of my hand. "He’s alive.His surgery went well. He’s in recovery now but he hasn’t woken up yet.The doctors say it’s normal and that his body needs time."

"Thank God," I breathed in relief. Fresh tears slipped free. "I thought... when the truck hit us... I thought we were both gone."

Lucian’s jaw clenched. "You almost were."

I looked at him,the guilt carved into his features was deeper than any bruise on my body.

"I need to tell you what happened before I lose the nerve," I said.

He nodded once. "I’m listening."

I took a shaky breath.

"It started at Monty Park," I began. "I went there to meet Mia. She texted me saying she had proof Ethan was behind everything. She said she couldn’t live with it anymore and wanted out."

Lucian’s grip tightened fractionally. "Mia. Your former secretary?."

I nodded. "She was scared and kept looking over her shoulder. She gave me a USB drive that could bring Ethan to the ground,the USB also contained information on how he bribed both doctors to alter the paternity dating results.

Lucian’s expression darkened with every word.

"I was heading straight to you," I continued. "I swear. I was running to you with proof but the truck came out of nowhere. Andre was distracted driving ,he tried to swerve then everything went black."

Lucian’s free hand came up to cover his mouth for a second, like he was holding back a curse or a sob.

"I should have believed you from the beginning," he said finally. "I let my pride,and my unjustified insecurities blind me.I’m so sorry I pushed you away when you needed me most."

I squeezed his hand. "We both made mistakes but we’re here now."

"I’m going to kill that bastard,he killed my child."Lucian replied in agony

Lucian leaned forward, rested his forehead against mine again. "I’m going to find Rita," he said fiercely. "I’m going to make her testify and confess everything on record if I have to. Ethan’s not walking away from this."

"Be careful. If she’s still alive then there is a possibility she works for Ethan and all this was a trap".

" I don’t care anymore Aria,Ethan had to pay," Lucian said.

His phone buzzed on the bedside table. He ignored it at first, but it buzzed again insistently.

He glanced at the screen and his expression became hardened and furious

"What is it?" I asked.

He turned the phone so I could see.

A text from Margaret Kline—Lucians Finance Director who congratulated me with a beautiful dinner gown on I and Lucian’s wedding night.

*Lucian, I need to see you urgently. Ethan is moving fast and rallying more proxies. If we don’t act, he’ll force you out of your seat as CEO within days. Text me when you’re free.*

I felt the shift in him the way his shoulders tensed and his jaw locked.

"He’s not stopping," I whispered.

"Nope. I guess he’s not."

He looked back at me,his eyes were fiercely burning.

"But neither am I."

I reached up and touched his cheek. "We do this together okay?."

He turned his face into my palm and closed his eyes for a second. "Yes of course Aria."

The word felt like a vow.

He kissed my palm then leaned in and kissed my forehead tenderly one more time.

"I have to go," he said reluctantly. "But I’ll be back tonight I promise."

"Find Mia first to make sure she is safe and if so, please make sure she talks."

He nodded affirmatively.

"And Lucian?"

He paused at the door.

"Don’t let him take your company like he did mine"