Chapter 1 Prologue

WARNING: This story contains mature content intended for adult readers only. Discretion is advised.

SERAPHINA'S POINT OF VIEW

"L-Lucian! O-Oh!"

A moan tore through me as his hand closed over my breast, sudden and firm. I tried to push him away, to still his fingers, but every touch only stoked the fire spreading through my skin.

"Your body responds to me so beautifully," he said, his voice low as his hand glided down my left thigh.

My breathing grew heavy, ragged. I wanted to stop him. I wanted to see the look in his eyes. But my limbs had gone weak, and darkness was all I'd known since the accident that stole my sight. This man-my husband only by contract-was the one who'd taken me in.

"Ahh!" I gasped as his hand moved higher, tracing the inside of my thigh until I was trembling with sensation I'd never felt before.

I pressed my palm to my mouth to muffle the sounds building in my throat.

Since losing my sight, my other senses had grown razor-sharp-sharp enough to lead us straight to this moment.

I heard his soft laugh, warm and rich, the kind that settled deep in my bones.

"So this is how it is... your eyes are gone, but every other part of you is alive. Especially how you feel me." I jolted upright as he lifted my shirt, his fingers brushing my skin.

"Lucian!" I tried to pull away.

It was a cruel truth-I'd never seen his face. All I knew of him was his voice, the way he touched me. Those were the only things that told me he was real, that he was here.

"Easy, Sera. Isn't this what married couples do?" he asked, his breath warm against my neck as he drew closer.

I braced my hands on the bed beside me, fighting to stay steady.

"W-We're not really married," I whispered. "It's just a contract. You don't want this-you only agreed because your grandmother made you. This is just... payment. For saving her, for what happened to my eyes-"

My words cut off as something soft brushed my jaw. His lips. He was kissing me there, and heat flooded through me all over again.

"Papers don't change the fact that you're mine," he murmured against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. "Contract or no contract, you're my wife, Sera."

He held my shoulders gently, then eased me back onto the mattress. I let him guide me-what choice did I have?

I felt his body press closer, and my heart hammered against my ribs.

Lucian... what are you thinking right now? What do you see when you look at me?

"You're vulnerable, fragile. My grandmother made sure the contract keeps you safe." He breathed me in, then kissed my neck, slow and deliberate. "So until your sight returns-I'll be your eyes. Whether you think I want to or not, I'll take care of you. I'll be the one who touches you-" He laughed softly, kissing my neck again, moving up to my jaw, then to my lips.

I clung to his firm biceps as his mouth claimed mine, deep and hungry, like I was the one thing he'd been searching for. Without thinking, I kissed him back-if I didn't, I'd have drowned in need.

When we pulled apart, I was gasping, my chest heaving with the force of it all.

"And I'll be the one who gives you pleasure," he said, his voice rough with desire.

My heart raced at his words. His hands slid down my legs again, then slowly pulled off my shorts and underwear.

I bit my lip to hold back a cry-my skin was on fire.

I want to see what you're doing. I want to see your face.

Lucian... when did you start being so gentle with me?

I covered my mouth as his hands parted my legs. I was open to him now, and I knew he could see how my body had awakened under his touch.

"O-Ohh!" I cried out as his finger slid through me, slow and deliberate.

"You're so wet for me," he said. I was done for.

No matter how hard I tried to deny what he did to me-my body never lied.

Our relationship changed after that day. We grew closer, hotter, more passionate than I'd ever imagined possible.

Slowly, I learned to know him through touch alone. I found myself craving even the lightest brush of his fingers. And what I never saw coming... was that I'd fallen in love with him.

But where did it all go wrong? Was it because I knew so little about him? All I had was his name, the fact that he was a billionaire businessman. Did I fail to ask about the life he led before me?

I was shattered the day I overheard him talking. Words I never thought I'd hear.

Lucian planned to kill me once my sight came back.

The doctors said there was every chance I'd see again. That's why the contract was only temporary.

Lucian... who are you really? You're not just a businessman, are you?

So on the very day my vision returned, I ran. I hid from him, terrified he'd keep his word. I left without knowing I was carrying his child-the result of every passionate night we'd shared.

I ran away with his heir. I tried to forget him, and it wasn't hard. After all, I'd never seen his face. I only knew his scent, his voice, the way he touched me.

But why?

Why is there a man here now-who smells like him, sounds like him, touches me the same way?

A man with no memory of who he was.

LUCIAN'S POINT OF VIEW

"Fuck me! It's been years! How long since we were last here?! Shit, I forgot how much I missed the smell of this place!"

We all winced as Kidd-one of my closest associates-shouted loud enough to turn heads. We'd barely stepped off my private jet, and he was already making a scene.

Kieran, my other friend, smacked him upside the head. "Chill the hell out! You're yelling like a lunatic," he snapped, and we all laughed under our breath.

"Someone's on their period," Kidd shot back. "Go find a woman and fix that mood of yours! Dammit."

"Believe me, I will! Better than you-you're a coward! How did you let that blonde in Russia slip away without a kiss? You're useless!" Kieran fired back.

Kidd's jaw tightened. "Coward? I'm not the idiot here-just like our old man!"

That pushed Kieran over the edge. "Bullshit! He's our dad!"

They were still going at it when we reached the terminal. No one would guess they were brothers-but they fought like this over everything.

"You okay?"

I glanced at Ace, my friend and right-hand man, walking beside me.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I asked as we moved through the crowd.

He chuckled. "Right... why wouldn't you be?"

How long has it been since I left this country?

How long since I lost the only woman who ever mattered?

I remember her clearly-her smile, her scent, the way she spoke, the sound of her laugh. It all feels like yesterday.

Why did you run the moment you could see me, Sera?

Was I not enough for you?

I laughed bitterly, my mind drifting as I walked. I barely noticed who I was passing until I bumped into something small.

"Ouch!" a tiny voice squeaked.

I snapped back to attention and looked down. A little boy-maybe four years old-was on the ground, dressed in a fluffy bear costume, struggling to get up.

"You okay, kiddo?" I asked, kneeling to help him.

He didn't speak, but his eyes were glossy with tears. He just nodded.

I scanned the area-no parents in sight. I lifted him into my arms with one hand.

"Are you lost?"

He nodded again, his voice trembling. "Mama and Leo... gone."

Shit-he was alone.

"Hey!" I turned at the shout. Kidd was waving a giant chocolate lollipop, with Kieran scowling beside him.

"Holy fuck! Since when did you become a kidnapper?!" Kidd yelled, drawing stares from everyone around us.

Kieran smacked him again. "Idiot! Keep your voice down!"

Ace shook his head at the pair before walking over. "So? Whose kid is this?"

I chuckled. "No idea-we ran into each other. Looks like he's lost." The boy suddenly wrapped his arms around my neck.

What a sweet little guy...

We were about to head inside when another kid came running toward us, shouting.

"Bad boy! Give me Rio back!"

Ace and I exchanged looks.

"Leo!" the boy in my arms called out.

"Your brother?" I asked. He nodded.

Twins. And they understood English-impressive for their age.

"Rio! Wahh!" the second boy yelled as he reached us, hitting my arm lightly. Ace stepped forward and lifted him up-he was a mirror image of the first.

"Where the hell are their parents?" Kieran muttered.

"Let's take them to-"

"Leo! Rio!"

We all looked toward the voice. A woman was running toward us, panic written all over her face. The boys lit up and called out "Mom!"

My whole body went still. I couldn't move as I stared at her.

"Sera..." I whispered her name.

"Oh my God! Rio! Leo!" she cried as she reached us, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you so much! Thank you for looking after my boys."

Boys? Sera... fuck-she has children?

"Hehe! Mom! They're nice! They carried me!" the boy in my arms said, and our eyes met.

I'd know her anywhere. Every line of her face, her voice-everything about her was exactly as I remembered.

"Thank you so much! Really, thank you!" she said again, taking the boy from me.

Why do you have kids? Whose are they?

"Thank you! I just ran to the restroom for a minute, and they disappeared-I've been looking everywhere. Thank you!" she said once more. But nothing registered in my mind.

All I could see was her.

She didn't recognize me-of course not. She'd been blind back then. She'd never seen my face.

My mind drifted again, and before I knew it, she was walking away with the boys.

"L! What the fuck?! Are you okay? You've been staring into space this whole time."

I shook my head and didn't answer. Instead, I started walking, a smirk spreading across my face.

Finally... we're together again. Fate must have planned this.

No matter what life you have now. No matter who fathered your children. No matter why you left me four years ago.

I'll win you back. You won't escape me this time, love.

Because you're mine.

Contracted or not-you're my wife, Sera.