“Come blow out the candles.” Alexei waved a hand, ignoring Lucaspletely, repeating the words. only to Natasha behind him.


    Alexei’s dismissive attitude, without even a nce his way, treated Lucas like nothing more than a lowly insect. It grated on him.


    Worse, he felt Natasha slip from behind him, actually walking toward Alexei. She evenined, “Why’d you light them without me? The wax will drip into the cake.”


    Alexei chuckled, pulling her close by the waist, guiding her to the table. Standing, he loomed over her, as if tucking her wholly into his embrace.


    I’ll eat the dirty bits,” Alexei murmured. Then he urged softly, “Make a wish first.”


    Natasha was used to his casual closeness. They acted like an intimate couple, shutting out the uninvited guest. Lucas flushed red, fury zing in his eyes. “Natasha,” he shouted.


    Alexei, who’d been watching Natasha softly, snapped his gaze at Lucas. Those hazel eyes, filled with ethal intent, pinned him in ce. Lucas felt like prey cornered by a beast.


    Under Alexei’s imposing aura, Natasha calmly made her wish. Opening her eyes, she puffed her cheeks and blew out the candles. The rich scent of the cake brought genuine delight to her.


    For Lucas, every silent second was agony. Alexei stood behind her, like a fierce guardian protecting his treasure, forbidding any approach. Lucas could only watch their closeness and intimacy.


    In this helpless observation, Lucas noticed details he’d forced himself to ignore. Alexei wore slightly worn men’s slippers.


    A man as notoriously fastidious as Alexei wouldn’t wear someone else’s old shoes unless they were his own–he must have been here a while.


    And Alexei’s clothes werefy loungewear. No one would change into clothes like this in a stranger’s house. Plus, Natasha’s ce has never had men’s clothes stocked.


    Two ce settings wereid out on the table. Before he arrived, they were likely about to share ate meal.


    And Natasha’s favorite marshmallow pillow was gone from the couch, reced by a man’s suit jacket.


    Every detail pierced Lucas’s heart like a de. During the time he and Natasha had been locked in their quarrel, Alexei had slithered in to take advantage.


    Lucas dreaded imagining what else Alexei–who’d stolen another’s ce with no shame–might


    have done behind his back. <fnc81f> Th?s chapter is updated by find?novel</fnc81f>


    E


    4:34 pm P33.


    20 vouchers


    At longst, she finished blowing out the candles and making her wish. Lucas spoke, his voice hoarse and trembling. “Natasha. Come here.”


    Natasha stood straight. Only now, with the cake safe, did she fully address the uninvited out.” Her tone was indifferent.


    guest. “Get


    Stung, Lucasshed out recklessly. “Do you even know who he is? Alexei, the guy from the Turner family. He’ll get you hurt!”


    “And?” Natasha remained unnervingly calm. “You’re trespassing, Mr. Wright.”


    Alexei, watching from the sidelines, chuckled softly. His finger tapped the table–he was amused.


    “Mr. Wright?” Lucas recoiled as if struck, staring at her. “We’ve known each other twenty years, and you call me Mr. Wright?”


    “Twenty years, and you still let her slip away. Pathetic.” Alexei’s crisp voice dripped with mockery.


    Lucas refused to look at him, afraid he’dsh out. He kept his hand outstretched to Natasha, pleading. “Natasha,e with me. Let’s get out of here. Stop trying to provoke me with someone else.


    “I won’t ask what happened. I won’t dwell on the past. I’ll take you anywhere for your birthday. No Olivia. No one else. I won’t bete again. Let’s start over, please?”


    Lucas’s eyes were red–rimmed, his pride shattered. A spoiled heir like Lucas had never been this


    humble<i>. </i>


    But Natasha was unyielding. “I’d never tried to provoke you. That’s childish. Stop deluding yourself


    Lucas.”


    Lucas couldn’t bring himself to believe it. Of the two possibilities–that Natasha was using Alexei to get a rise out of him <i>or </i>that she was genuinely choosing to be with him–he dreaded thetter far


    more.


    “Why? How long have they even known each other? What gives him the right to stand beside Natasha like he belongs there?‘ Lucas thought.


    Lucas said, “Did he threaten you? Don’t be afraid. The Turners aren’t invincible. Come with me.”


    Smack! A sharp p cracked across Lucas’s face as he reached for Natasha. Her expression was cial. “I didn’t want to do that, for old times‘ sake. You left me no choice.”


    Her words were precise. “Our end had nothing to do with Alexei. Wake up, Lucas. It’s over. You have no right to control me.”


    Lucas stood frozen, stunned. While Alexei, enjoying the spectacle, added, “Mr. Wright, don’t nder me. Natasha and I are mutually willing.


    4:34 pm PS


    EX <b>20 </b>vouchers


    “Unlike you, the ex who won’t let go. Is Miss Sutton feeling better? Doesn’t need yourpany anymore?”


    “Stay out of this!” Lucas snarled, convinced Alexei had tricked Natasha. “Mr. Turner. If you want to y, plenty of women exist. Why target Natasha? She’s my fiancée.”


    Alexei’s eyes turned icy. Bang! Lucas was kicked to the door, crashing into the wall. Small ornaments on the cab ttered to the floor.


    Alexei, a man who’d survived real bloodshed, hit harder than Natasha’s light p. Lucas felt like his insides had shifted.


    Alexei showed no remorse. “Who said I’m ying? Don’t insult me or Natasha.” He smirked. “Judging others by your low standards. Pathetic.”


    Alexei then turned an innocent, almost wounded look toward the startled Natasha. “He ndered me first. An ex calling himself your fiancé? Shameless.” Every mention of their past fueled Alexei’s rage, mentally dismembering Lucas.


    Alexei hadn’t held back–Lucas was truly hurt. But he didn’t flinch; he just stared intensely at Natasha. “See? I told you he’s violent and unstable. Who knows if you’ll be next? Natasha, leave him.”


    Alexei’s face was ashen, a tangible killing intent flickering in his eyes. ‘Annoying fly. Might as well drag him off to feed the snakes. Better yet, slice off that silver tongue of his and mince it, he thought.


    Then, Natasha moved. Frowning, she turned her back on Alexei and walked towards Lucas on the floor.


    Lucas’s eyes lit up with hope. “Natasha,” he groaned, ying the victim. “It hurts.” Blood trickled from his lip. He wasn’t faking the pain.


    Alexei’s fists clenched so tight his knuckles whitened. ‘Such a tricky bastard, he thought.


    As Natasha neared Lucas, Alexei’s voice, strained and rough, cut through the tension. “Natasha.” He sounded almost defeated. “The soup’s getting cold.” The calm tone held a thread of desperate


    tension.


    But Natasha didn’t stop. She kept walking toward Lucas. Alexei’s hazel eyes turned stormy, fury gathering on his face.