His Untamed Rose novel Chapter 13

Lumina clenched her jaw so tight it nearly hurt.

If she wanted to make it through tonight, the man before her was the only hope she and her unborn children had.

Swallowing her pride, she called his name softly, her eyes rimmed with red. “Cedric…”

“Help me. I can’t go with Jurgen. I won’t.”

Her sudden vulnerability sent a wave of satisfaction through Cedric. His gaze flickered, then he pulled her firmly into his arms, hand pressing gently against her back. “So, all those things you said when you broke up with me—are you taking them back now?”

Lumina nearly lost her mind with frustration. Why was he bringing this up now, of all times?

Footsteps echoed louder, drawing closer. If that group rounded the corner, they’d spot them instantly.

But Cedric only tightened his grip on her waist, eyes cold and unyielding. “Tell me, do you regret it?”

She bit down so hard on her teeth she thought she might crack a molar. She wanted nothing more than to spray him in the face with pepper spray.

But there was no choice left.

Defeated, she surrendered, voice small and resigned. “I was wrong, Mr. Royce. I was narrow-minded. I regret everything I said. Please, forget it…”

Cedric’s lips curled into a satisfied smirk. In the next second, he pulled a keycard from his pocket and swiftly unlocked the door behind them.

With a quick, easy motion, he guided Lumina into the room and pulled the door shut with a soft click.

Outside, the footsteps rushed past.

The Harding family’s men searched every corner—the restrooms, the kitchen—yet didn’t find so much as a strand of hair. They’d been completely played for fools.

“You little brat, you’re making a fool out of me!” Luther’s rage was palpable. “How many pregnant women have shown up at the Hardings’ door this month because of you? Have you no shame? You’re a disgrace to the family! As of today, you’re stripped of your position as CEO. Go home and think about what you’ve done!”

...

The clamor outside faded into quiet.

Inside the room, Lumina listened to her racing heartbeat, which slowly began to calm.

Gradually, her breath matched the steady rhythm of Cedric’s heartbeat.

It was a kind of closeness that felt even more intimate than their wildest moments in bed—strange and breathtaking all at once.

“Ms. Jardin,” Cedric murmured, voice rough as he leaned in close, his lips brushing her ear, “You’re always so fierce with me. Is your courage really this small, hmm?”

She really was terrified. She could barely stay upright without leaning on him. Her ears flushed pink.

“Thank you, Mr. Royce, for what you did tonight.”

Cedric looked down at her, his eyes searching. “And how will you thank me?”

She saw the look in his eyes and instinctively knew what he was thinking. But carrying his children, she couldn’t risk it again. She pleaded softly, “Mr. Royce, I really don’t have the strength tonight.”

He just gave her a lazy smile. “That’s not a problem.”

“Lumina.” He spoke her name slowly, gravely, pressing his forehead to hers. “Open your eyes. Take a good look at your man.”

Lumina gazed at him, her heart nearly skipping a beat as their eyes met.

“Who is it?” he asked. His hand slid around her throat, not tight, just enough to command her attention.

In that moment, he was every inch the dark king, looking down on her from above.

She hesitated. “Yadiel always says you shouldn’t take medicine on an empty stomach. Would you mind grabbing me some breakfast first, Mr. Royce?”

Yadiel was one of her oldest friends—full name, Yadiel Sterling. They’d gone to school together. He was always the golden child parents loved to brag about, and eventually became a doctor—a stable, respectable job.

But Cedric never liked her meeting up with Yadiel.

His excuse? “Every time you come back, you reek of those useless friends of yours.”

Cedric’s hands stilled on his buttons, his eyes darkening as he shot her a look. “Do you really need so many excuses just to take a pill?”

Lumina kept her face neutral, though her heart pounded in her chest.

He was always sharp and suspicious, especially in the mornings. She could rarely fool him then.

She forced a casual smile. “I’m serious. I’d rather not end up with stomach problems like you.”

But Cedric just stared at her strangely for a moment before his voice turned icy. “What are you scheming now?”

The warning in his tone chilled her to the bone.

Without missing a beat, Lumina clutched the blanket tighter, her smile never wavering. “I don’t understand. What do you mean?”

Suddenly, Cedric climbed onto the bed, looming over her. He grabbed her chin, pried her mouth open, and shoved a white pill between her lips.

His movements were rough and swift, a far cry from the tenderness he’d shown last night.

“Take it. Now. That’s the rule. That’s an order.”

Staring at Lumina’s ashen face, Cedric pinched her chin, his tone dangerously cold, “Ms. Jardin, don’t even think about pulling any tricks. I won’t give you the chance to leave anything behind. Do you understand?”