Bella barely opened her eyes before a violent wave of nausea forced her to rush to the bathroom. She clutched the sink for support, her body trembling as she emptied her stomach.
A warm hand pressed against her back. "Breathe, Bella," Lucas murmured, kneeling beside her. He gently gathered her hair, holding it back as she coughed, his other hand rubbing slow circles over her spine.
She groaned, her forehead resting against her arm. "I hate this," she mumbled.
Lucas grabbed a washcloth, dampening it before pressing it against her warm skin. "I know," he said, his voice softer than she expected. "Come on, let's get you back to bed."
She barely resisted as he helped her up, his strong arms steadying her as he led her back to their bedroom. As soon as she lay down, exhaustion wrapped around her like a heavy blanket.
Lucas sighed as he pulled the blanket over her. He had planned to go to work today, but seeing her like this made his decision easy. He grabbed his phone from the nightstand and sent a quick text to Mark: Taking the day off. Handle everything.
With that settled, he turned his attention to the rest of the morning.
By the time Rachel woke up, Lucas had already taken charge of the house. He made breakfast, packed Rachel's lunch, and even found her favorite socks when she pouted about not finding them.
Rachel rubbed her sleepy eyes as she walked into the kitchen, yawning. "Why is mumma sleeping?"
"She's tired today sweetheart, so we'll let her rest." Lucas said as he set a glass of milk in front of her.
Rachel perked up at that. "Then I'll be extra quiet!"
Lucas smirked. "That would be a first, princess."
She giggled, finishing her breakfast while Lucas kept an ear out for any sounds from the bedroom. Once Rachel was dressed and ready, he drove her to school, listening to her excited chatter about her friends and their class.
"You'll pick me up today?" Rachel asked as he parked in front of her school.
Lucas hesitated. He had planned to check on some things regarding Renato, but Bella wasn't feeling well. "I'll try," he finally said, ruffling her hair. "If not, Mama will." Rachel nodded and waved before skipping inside.
When he returned home, the house was silent. He stepped into their room, his gaze immediately falling on Bella. She was curled on her side, her breathing steady, but he could tell she wasn't in deep sleep.
He sat on the edge of the bed, brushing a few strands of hair from her face. "Bella," he said softly. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "Lucas? Rachel?"
"I've already dropped her to school. You need to eat something," he told her. "And take your medicine." She sighed but let him help her sit up. "You didn't go to work?"
He arched a brow. "And leave you like this? Not happening." Bella blinked, warmth creeping up her neck. He had always been caring, but today, he was looking after her in a way that felt… different. More attentive. More him.
He handed her a plate of light breakfast and sat beside her as she ate. Lucas wasn't sure why, but watching her like this—still drowsy from sleep, not caring about her appearance, relying on him—made something shift inside him.
It was a dangerous thought. One he wasn't ready to face yet. For now, he simply sat there, making sure she ate everything. After making sure Bella had eaten, Lucas let her rest again.
She barely lasted five minutes before her body gave in to exhaustion, her breathing slowing into deep, steady rhythms. He exhaled, brushing a hand through his hair before leaving the room quietly.
With Bella asleep and Rachel at school, the house was unusually quiet. Lucas took the opportunity to finish the household work, clearing the kitchen, wiping down surfaces, and making sure everything was in place.
He wasn't used to this kind of routine—his life had always been about control, power, and strategy. Yet, strangely, he didn't mind. If anything, seeing Bella rest peacefully after such a rough morning made it worth it.
But his attention soon shifted to something more pressing—security.
Moving through the apartment with quiet efficiency, Lucas began installing a series of advanced security measures. He never got the opportunity to install them before as either Bella or Rachel was present.
He placed small, high-resolution surveillance cameras at key points—one near the entrance, another in the living room, and a few outside the apartment. These cameras were nearly invisible, designed to alert him to any suspicious activity in real-time.
He installed motion detectors at the windows and balcony. If anyone tried to enter, an alert would go straight to his phone.
As he worked, his movements were swift and methodical. This wasn't just about precaution—it was necessity.
Once everything was set, Lucas stepped onto the balcony, pulling out his phone. He dialed a number, and within seconds, the head of Bella's security detail answered.
"Any unusual activity?" Lucas asked, his voice cold and precise.
"No, sir," the guard replied. "Routine deliveries, a few visitors—neighbors, the former landlady. No one suspicious."
Lucas hummed in acknowledgment, his jaw tightening. "Stay alert. If anyone tries to approach her without reason, report to me immediately."
"Yes, sir."
"Also link the apartment's security system directly to my phone and a separate encrypted line, ensuring I could monitor everything even when I'm not here." Ending the call, he stared out at the city skyline, lost in thought.
The Russian Don's recent movements had been unpredictable. His attacks were escalating, yet Bella remained blissfully unaware of the war unfolding behind the scenes. Lucas had kept it that way on purpose.
Telling her the truth—that he wasn't just a wealthy CEO but the king of the underworld—was dangerous. Not just for him, but for her and Rachel. But how much longer could he keep the facade?