His Untamed Rose novel Chapter 38

Lumina barely had time to process what was happening before he’d already stepped into the elevator. The way he charged off for that woman—so quick, so desperate—struck her as both ridiculous and deeply sad.

The night wind poured in from the balcony, chilling her to the bone. She shut the door behind her. Even without turning on the lights, the darkness felt blinding.

Curling up on the couch, she hugged her knees to her chest, lost and shivering. She sat like that for hours, until her whole body felt numb and stiff. It was past eleven when her phone finally rang.

As soon as the call connected, Yadiel picked up on her shaky breathing and frowned, concern sharpening his voice. “What happened?”

Lumina tried to answer, but her throat was so raw she had to clear it before speaking. “Nothing. Why?”

“I’ve looked into a few remote islands off Seaburg. They’re suitable for living, and no one would find you easily—”

Lumina was only half-listening, her mind foggy with exhaustion. She cut Yadiel off mid-sentence. “I want to ask you two things first.”

He paused. “Go ahead.”

“Do you know Jurgen Harding?”

Yadiel sounded confused. “I’ve heard of him. The Harding family’s business has been all over the news lately, right? I saw his family’s livestream a while back.”

Lumina told Yadiel everything—how Jurgen had found out she was pregnant, and the rumors that he’d been kidnapped and had his tongue cut out.

Yadiel’s thick brows drew together as he listened. “So you think someone’s out for revenge on your behalf? Trying to shut him up?”

“It’s just a guess. I don’t have real proof. He’s always been arrogant, slept around, left plenty of messes behind. Maybe someone else wanted revenge.”

Yadiel went quiet, mulling it over. He didn’t reach a conclusion and instead asked, “What’s the second thing?”

Lumina took a steadying breath. “Who exactly is Ms. Tatum?”

Yadiel hesitated, his hand pausing halfway to his coffee cup. He gave a small, tense smile. “Why are you suddenly asking about her?”

“Just answer me.”

Her tone was flat, almost cold.

Inside, the morning news team was already on air. Security guards stood at the entrance, blocking her way.

“Sorry, staff only past this point.”

Lumina had already arranged to meet one of her brother’s old colleagues. She called, and soon enough, someone came out to greet her.

It had been ages since she’d been here; the newsroom and hallways had all been renovated, brighter and more spacious than she remembered.

While she waited on a bench, her phone buzzed with a notification:

[Your leave request has been denied. Actioned by: Cedric.]

She gripped her phone, letting out a soft, bitter laugh.

Just then, a young woman with glasses came out, smiling and waving. “Lumina!”

Lumina slipped her phone into her bag and stood up, greeting her with a warm smile. She handed over a gift box. “Zara, it’s been too long.”