Page 194 of Theirs to Tempt: The Marriage Claim

“And if the decision is that I want a divorce?”

Silence settles heavily over the room.

“Fuck.” Lucian has gone almost frighteningly still. The haunted look in his eyes deepens, and I see exactly how much my question has destroyed him.

After swallowing hard, he meets my gaze. “I’ll sign your papers.”

I turn to Caleb.

“Goddamn it, Sophie…”

I wait.

Finally, reluctantly, he nods. “Yeah. I’ll back his play.”

Since I’m only technically married to Lucian, there’s nothing for Caleb to sign.

“No fight?” Once more, I look from one to the other.

Lucian draws a slow breath. “I will hate it.”

My vision blurs.

“But your happiness matters more than what I want.”

For a moment, I can’t speak.

There was a time when I would have scoffed at the idea of Lucian Hawthorne putting anyone’s happiness ahead of his own plans.

Before I can make sense of what I’m hearing, his voice drops.

“Because I love you.”

The room disappears.

Everything inside me goes completely, impossibly still.

I stare at him.

Surely I misunderstood.

But Lucian doesn’t look away.

“I love you, Sophie.”

Oh God.

My hand flies to my mouth.

Of all the things I imagined might happen tonight, this was never one of them. Lucian wanting me, yes. Obsessing over me. Possessing me. Fighting to keep me.

But love?

From him?

A tear spills down my cheek.

His face tightens as he watches it fall, and for one terrible second, I think he might come to me.