His Untamed Rose novel Chapter 1

Lumina Jardin’s period was a week late.

At first, she chalked it up to stress or a simple delay—nothing she hadn’t experienced before. Still, just to be safe, she slipped out during her lunch break and bought a pregnancy test. Huddled in the office restroom, she waited, heart pounding.

Two lines.

Her mind went numb, a dull buzzing in her ears. Her hands shook so badly the test slipped from her fingers.

With a soft clatter, it skidded across the tiles—straight out the stall door, landing just beneath the sinks outside.

She cursed her own clumsiness, about to dart out and snatch it back, when the door swung open and three or four coworkers walked in, laughing and chatting.

She froze, heart leaping into her throat. Then, forcing herself to stay calm, she straightened up, washed her hands, fussed with her hair, dabbed a bit of makeup on—anything to look normal. She breezed past them with a polite smile, praying no one could see the panic beneath her skin.

If anyone spotted that test… she was toast!

What now?

All she could do was linger by the bathroom, waiting for the others to leave, hoping to grab the test before anyone noticed.

Her nerves were taut as wire when her phone suddenly rang with a ringtone she’d set for only one person.

She hesitated, watching the screen, and finally picked up at the last possible second. “Hello?”

“Come to the lower parking garage. Now.”

That cool, familiar voice—flat, almost indifferent—made Lumina freeze. It had been a while, but she recognized him instantly.

Cedric Royce.

He was back.

For nearly half a month, he’d vanished completely. No calls. No messages. Nothing but radio silence.

It was no wonder half the heiresses in Banyan Town competed for a moment of his attention. Sometimes, Lumina wondered if being chosen by him—out of all the women who wanted him—might be the only lucky break in her otherwise unlucky life.

“Long trip, Mr. Royce. Did you miss me?” she asked, leaning against the car door, flashing him a teasing, alluring smile.

Cedric barely twitched at her voice, but the tension in his brow eased just a little.

He patted his knee, tone casual. “Come here.”

Every time he came back from a business trip, Cedric liked to see her. Last time, it was his office; this time, the car. He was always finding new ways to keep things interesting.

Though her mind was spinning with thoughts of the pregnancy, Lumina knew better than to refuse. She slid onto the seat beside him, their bodies pressed close.

He closed his eyes, looking for all the world like a monk lost in thought, but his arm was already around her waist, drawing her near.

His gaze lingered over her, dark and intense. “You’ve lost weight.”