Chapter 6 The First Rule Broken

Lucien was cold. But not that night.

After the gala, Elena couldn't sleep. The words Harper said haunted her.

|-"Ask him about New York..."

She stood by the penthouse window, arms wrapped around herself.

Behind her, footsteps. Lucien.

|

-"Couldn't sleep?" he asked, voice lower than usual.

She turned. "You said you don't lose. But whatever happened in New York... you did lose something, didn't you?"

Lucien stared at her. Then slowly walked toward her.

"That's not your concern, Elena."

"It is. Because I'm your wife now... even if only on paper."

His eyes darkened. For a second, she thought he'd yell. But instead-

"Don't push me, Elena. You don't know what you're asking."

She didn't back down. "Then help me understand."

Lucien exhaled sharply. "I had a younger brother. Noah. New York was where I lost him."

Silence.

"He died because of a business decision I made. One mistake. One deal gone wrong. That's why I don't forgive myself. Or anyone else."

Elena stepped closer, instinctively.

|-"You're not heartless, Lucien. You're just hurt."

Lucien looked at her - really looked at her - and for a moment, the ice cracked.

Then his voice dropped. "Go to bed."

But he didn't walk away.

And when Elena brushed past him, their hands touched and neither pulled back.