Page 168 of Theirs to Tempt: The Marriage Claim

Despite everything, I almost laugh. “You mean money?”

“Among other things.”

There is the faintest trace of the Lucian I know in his voice, and the familiarity hurts.

Lucian’s voice is quieter when he goes on. “We expected you to be devastated when Adrian walked away.”

“I was.”

“I know.” Something roughens beneath his polished tone. “What I didn’t expect was what you did next.”

For a moment, I cannot remember anything except heartbreak. Adrian disappearing into the night. My confusion. The humiliation of them watching.

“You came after us.”

“You were shaking.” His mouth curves faintly, though there is no humor in it. “You were half our size, you didn’t know who the hell we were, and you still got between us and Adrian.”

Lucian comes no closer, but his attention feels as intimate as a touch. “You demanded answers. You told us exactly what you thought of us. You didn’t care what we could do for you or to you. You didn’t care about our money, our connections, or whether everyone else at that party was smart enough to stay out of our way.”

His gaze holds mine.

“You were furious, heartbroken, and completely unwilling to bend.”

My throat tightens.

“After that night, wanting you became an obsession.”

Obsession.

I look from one to the other, remembering how many times over the last few weeks they have told me they waited eight years for me, how often Lucian has spoken of patience as though wanting me for that long justified everything that followed.

But now I finally understand what they wanted.

Not a compliant woman.

Not someone dazzled by their wealth or grateful for the life they could provide.

“You liked the fact I wouldn’t back down. That I had my own mind. And I’m guessing you waited this long because you wanted me to have my own life.”

Lucian’s expression tightens.

“And then you orchestrated events to take away all my choices.”

Pain flashes across his face.

Caleb looks toward the window.

Neither of them argue with what I said.

I press one hand against the edge of the counter, needing the cool stone beneath my palm.

“You decided Adrian wasn’t good enough for me, so you made the decision for me. You decided my father would eventually give you what you wanted, so you built a trap around him. You decided I would live here. You decided when we would get married. And this morning, you decided not to tell me what Voss’s text said.”

Lucian inhales sharply. “Damn it, Sophie. Listen to me⁠—”

“And now you’re deciding that I have to continue listening to your excuses?” Anger and hysteria make my voice rise. “Or are you going to try an apology you don’t mean? More words to manipulate me?” I raise my hand. “No. I’m done.”

“Sophie—” Caleb tries.