Vivian noticed.
Of course she did.
She saw the way Lucien left her on the dance floor.
Saw the way his attention shifted.
Saw who he chose.
Aria.
And when Aria finally stepped back inside—
Alone—
Vivian was already waiting.
"Having fun?"
Aria stopped.
Her chest still rising unevenly.
Her thoughts still a mess.
"I'm fine," she said quickly.
Vivian's eyes lingered on her for a second longer than necessary.
Noticing everything.
"Doesn't look like it," she replied softly.
Aria clenched her jaw slightly.
"What do you want?"
Vivian stepped closer.
Calm. Controlled.
Dangerous in a different way.
"I just think you should understand the kind of man you married."
A chill ran down Aria's spine.
"I already do," she said.
Vivian shook her head slowly.
"No," she said quietly. "You really don't."
Silence.
Then—
"He doesn't forgive debts."
Aria's heart skipped.
Her fingers curled slightly.
"What are you talking about?"
Vivian's gaze stayed steady.
"I'm talking about how he handles people who owe him," she said.
"People like your father."
Aria stiffened.
"He doesn't help them," Vivian continued.
"He doesn't give second chances."
Her voice dropped slightly.
"He watches them struggle… and then he takes everything they have left."
Aria's chest tightened.
"No…"
Vivian didn't stop.
"He pushes until there's nothing left to take," she added.
"And when they can't give anymore…"
A pause.
"He walks away."
The words landed heavy.
"That's not true," Aria said quickly. "You're just trying to—"
"Ask him."
Aria froze.
Vivian stepped closer.
Her voice quieter now.
"Ask him how many people begged him for more time."
Her heart started pounding.
"Ask him how many times he said no."
Aria's breathing became uneven.
"Ask him if he ever tried to stop it."
That one—
That one hit differently.
Because suddenly…
This wasn't just about money.
It was about choice.
Aria's voice dropped.
"Why are you telling me this?"
Vivian studied her for a moment.
"Because you look like you still think there's something good in him."
A pause.
"There isn't."
Silence.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Then Vivian stepped back.
"Just don't expect him to be different for you," she added.
And just like that—
She walked away.
Leaving Aria standing there.
Frozen.
Her heart felt heavy.
Her thoughts louder than ever.
Because now—
She didn't just feel confused.
She felt scared of the answer she might get.
And that only meant one thing.
She had to ask him.
🖤🖤🖤🖤
Aria didn't wait.
The moment she got back to the mansion—
She went straight for him.
No hesitation.
No second thoughts.
She pushed open his office door without knocking.
"Tell me the truth."
Lucien looked up.
Calm.
Unbothered.
But his eyes sharpened slightly.
"About what?" he asked.
Aria stepped inside, closing the door behind her.
Her heart pounding.
"About my father," she said.
Silence.
Then—
"Who have you been talking to?"
"That doesn't matter," she snapped. "Answer me."
Lucien leaned back slightly.
Studying her.
"What do you want to know?"
Her chest tightened.
"Is it true?" she asked.
"That you… that you watch people lose everything and do nothing?"
Silence.
Too much silence.
"Answer me!" she demanded.
Lucien's gaze didn't waver.
"I don't interfere in business."
Her heart dropped.
"That's not an answer."
"It is," he said calmly.
Her chest rose sharply.
"So you just let it happen?" she asked.
"You see people struggling and you just stand there?"
His expression didn't change.
"They made their choices."
The words hit hard.
"So did you!" she shot back.
"You could have helped them!"
Silence.
Then—
"I didn't want to."
Her breath caught.
Everything inside her went still.
"You didn't… want to?" she repeated softly.
Lucien stood up.
Slowly.
"Yes."
Her chest tightened painfully.
"Why?" she whispered.
His gaze locked onto hers.
"Because mercy creates weakness."
The words felt cold.
Sharp.
Final.
Tears burned in her eyes.
"They were desperate," she said.
"They needed help—"
"And they didn't get it."
Her voice broke.
"That makes you heartless."
Silence.
Lucien didn't deny it.
Didn't argue.
And that—
That hurt more than anything.
Aria shook her head slowly.
"I was wrong about you," she whispered.
Something flickered in his eyes.
Just for a second.
But it disappeared.
"Maybe," he said.
Her chest tightened again.
"Or maybe," he added quietly,
"you just didn't want to see it."
That hit.
Hard.
Aria stepped back slightly.
Because suddenly—
She didn't recognize the man in front of her anymore.
Or maybe…
She finally did.
Her voice came out barely above a whisper.
"And my father?"
Silence.
For the first time—
Lucien hesitated.
Just for a second.
But she saw it.
And that hesitation?
It meant something.
"Lucien…"
Her heart started pounding again.
"What really happened to him?"
The room went completely still.
And this time—
Lucien didn't answer.