#4 -The Perfect Family

Lucian I should let Lara leave. The logical part of my brain said it was the smart thing to do. The other part refused to even consider it. Playing house wasn't me, and yet, hearing Lara say she wanted to leave struck something in my chest. Something I refused to name. And I needed to stop touching her. It was one thing to stay by her side because she'd asked—albeit in her sleep—but it was another to wrap my arms around her... and not want to let go. To want her in ways I had no business wanting her. I fired off one more text to Decker, telling him to triple check that the mansion was stocked with everything she might need. "I'm just making sure she's okay," I muttered, slipping my phone back into my pocket. It had nothing to do with the fact that she was finally in my house. Not that I'd been waiting. I dragged a hand through my hair. The hug from this morning... I could still feel it. The way her body fit against mine like it belonged there. I wasn't that kind of man. I got what I wanted and left. No attachments. No complications. I didn't linger. I didn't care. "You are gorgeous, Lara. Any guy would be insane not to want you." My jaw tightened. I didn't want any guy near her. That was ridiculous. I wasn't that kind of man either. You are when it comes to her. I exhaled slowly. That was the problem. "So I just rescheduled the rest of your morning meetings," Debra said as she walked into my office. "You're as free as a bird." I turned to her, brows lifting slightly at what she was carrying. "I didn't know what to get," Debra added, setting it on my desk. "But you can't show up empty handed." The gift basket was overdone. Impersonal—flowers, ribbons, things that meant nothing. At least not to me. I barely glanced at it before reaching in and pulling out the small, fluffy teddy bear tucked in the corner. That was enough. The rest stayed where it was. "She's one lucky, little girl," Debra said, offering me a small smile that faded too quickly. "Is... Mrs. Cole, alright?" My hand tightened around the bear. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to overstep," she added quickly. "It's just—" "She'll be fine," I cut in, already stepping out of my office. I'd make sure of it. On the way to the hospital, I texted Damien Reid, Cole Dynamics' corporate lawyer, and told him to meet me there. "Oh Lucian, she's simply adorable," Victoria said the moment I stepped inside the room I'd been directed to. Victoria Cole. Liam's mother. My father's second wife. My step mother. "Victoria," I greeted, pressing a brief kiss to her cheek, more out of obligation than affection. "Should I finally give up on my hopes of you calling me mum?" she asked lightly, batting her lashes. It was always the same question. And my answer never changed. I only had one mother. San Marie Cole. Gone too soon. Some would say illness. I knew better. "Mother and baby are perfect," Liam beamed as he stepped back into the room, coffee in hand. "I'm the happiest man alive, Lucian!" My brother pulled me into a hug. I didn't return it. Didn't think he deserved it either. A man wouldn't stand here celebrating with his mistress while his wife fell apart. "Congratulations," I said, my jaw tight. The word tasted bitter. I was betraying her again. "Do you want to hold her?" Ashley asked softly. I forced my attention away from how she looked—like none of this had cost her anything. Like she hadn't destroyed someone else. Liana Rose Cole. I looked down at the small bundle now in my arms. Tiny. Warm. Completely unaware of the mess she'd been born into. And despite everything... She was beautiful. "Aww, boys... your father would be so proud." Victoria sniffled. "Our family is so beautiful." My teeth clenched. Of course he would be. This was exactly the kind of legacy he'd built. I kept my gaze on Liana Rose, focusing on the steady rise and fall of her tiny chest. Anything to keep me from saying something I wouldn't take back. "So surreal, right?" Ashley said softly. I didn't respond. "Everyone kept saying I'd fall in love the moment I held her," she went on, letting out a small, teary laugh. "I just wanted her out while I was pushing, but when they put her in my arms—" My gaze shifted to her despite myself. The emotion in her voice caught me off guard. She wasn't looking at me. She was looking at Liana—love written all over her face as she leaned into Liam. Add the baby to that picture... And they looked like the perfect family . And for the first time, it hit me. If that had been Lara in that bed— I carefully placed Liana back in her mother's arms, the teddy bear tucked beside her. "Lucian, wait." I stilled. My gaze dropped to Ashley's hand on mine before lifting to her face. I resisted the urge to shake her off. Barely. "I just wanted to say thank you," she said, pulling her hand back. "For coming." "She's my niece. I'd do anything for her." And I meant it. Despite her parents... I would do anything for that little girl. "I'll walk you out," Liam offered, before placing a kiss on Ashley's cheek like it was the most normal thing. My jaw locked tight. Had he kissed Lara with that same mouth? After kissing Ashley? I was about to march out when Victoria stepped in my path. "I'm hosting a congratulatory dinner for Liam and Ashley, you should come." I didn't answer. My gaze swung to Liam instead. He was bringing them home? I hadn't called my childhood home that in a long time. "She insisted," Liam shrugged like I wouldn't know he'd suggested it. "I'm sorry, Victoria, but I have to say no." Something crossed her features, but it was gone just as quickly. Then she pouted. "You are just like your father, always working." I wouldn't be working, but I didn't owe her an explanation. Placing another kiss on her cheek, I stepped out, Liam in tow. "I honestly thought you wouldn't come," Liam said the moment we stepped out, shoving his hands in his pockets before halting. "What's he doing here?" he frowned when he spotted Damien. I kept walking. "Wait, do I have my brother right now, or the president of Cole Dynamics?" "Does it matter?" I asked, spinning on my heel and facing him. "Of course it bloody matters," Liam snapped. "That's your niece in there. For once you could just be that, you know?" Family. Right. "No one talks about this outside the family," I said evenly. Liam scoffed. "You don't get to decide that." I held his gaze. Didn't raise my voice. Didn't need to. "You're right," I said calmly. "But I do get to decide how this plays out publicly. And trust me, you don't want this playing out publicly." I wouldn't let Lara suffer through that. Silence stretched. "This becomes a story," I continued, "and suddenly it's not just about you. It's about the company. The name. The fallout." My brows arched at Liam. "And everything attached to it." That did it. Liam's jaw clenched. He understood. "You're not asking Ashley to sign anything," he said, growling. Then dragged a hand through his hair. "I'll... talk to her, I'm sure she's open to ensuring our daughter's future is secure." I didn't care what she thought. For their sake... they'd better not make this worse for Lara.