No Longer Yours to Break novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18

The car ride was dead quiet on the way back to the Lyttelton estate.

Lucian had his tablet out, acting like he was working.

Except the screen hadn’t changed in twenty minutes.

Zoe snorted.

His eyes jumped to her, ears turning pink. Busted.

He set the tablet down.

“… You’re not gonna ask me anything?”

She’d braced for questions about Connor.

But this? This threw her off.

Lucian caught her stunned look and sighed.

“We’re newlyweds. I meet with another woman right after the wedding, and you’re not even curious?”

She blinked. “Didn’t you already explain at the café? I saw it–Camorra’s heiress wants to marry you…”

Before she could finish, he touched her lips with his finger.

It was gentle, but when she looked up, his eyes were dark enough to drown in.

His scent curled around her—something floral, layered over smoke and steel.

Just like him. Soft on the outside, but underneath? Cold. Controlled. Dangerous in a way that pulled you in.

He finally looked away, rubbing his temple with a quiet breath.

“…It’s fine. Ask when you’re ready.”

Zoe snapped out of it, face burning.

1/3

Without a word, she scooted to the far end of the seat.

***

Married life found its groove.

Zoe spent her days managing the Hertbert assets and getting used to Lucian’s world.

His parents were respectful–distant, but never cold.

They even smiled when Lucian served her dinner like it was no big deal.

Lucian never hovered. Whatever she needed, he got it done–no questions.

Connor? Practically erased from her mind.

Until two weeks later.

Lucian had the occasional event he couldn’t ditch. Usually, Zoe went too.

But tonight? Connor was on the guest list.

When Lucian spotted the name, he didn’t say a word. Just stared for a few seconds, then turned away, clearly annoyed.

The more time Zoe spent with him, the more she found his real self kinda…adorable.

Like now–he obviously hated the idea of her seeing Connor, but he wasn’t gonna say it out loud. Just quietly sulked.

Zoe smothered a laugh and casually turned down the invite.

Lucian’s eyes lit up right away, even though he tried to play it cool.

Zoe couldn’t help thinking about the past few nights–how he’d promised to wait and actually meant it.

Same roof, different beds. The most they’d shared was that quiet hand–hold at the café.

She hadn’t expected anything to shift.

2/3

Now she was in the kitchen, slicing fruit for a late–night platter. Just something small for Lucian.

Her phone lit up—Lucian.

A chill hit her spine.

“Lucian? What’s wrong? Can you hear me?”

All she got back was shaky breathing and scattered noise.

His voice came through, faint and broken, but she caught one word-“come.”

Then the sound of locks rattling.

Call dropped.

A message popped up: hotel name, room number.

Zoe didn’t think twice. She grabbed her keys and bolted.

Suppon