Chapter 2

I raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"I love it here. Why would I run?"

Lucas froze. It seemed like the very first time in his life anyone had ever claimed to enjoy his company.

To everyone else, he was a monster, a psychopath. Even the original Scarlett had thrown those exact words in his face every single day.

Before today, all she ever did was scream, beg, recoil in disgust, and refuse to let him touch her.

Yet today, she was casually telling him she liked being with him.

I watched as Lucas leaned down, burying his face in my hair, inhaling deeply. After a moment, I asked, "How was your day out there...?"

Before I could even finish the sentence, Lucas snapped his head up, his eyes bloodshot with a mix of fury and raw vulnerability.

"I knew you were lying. Scarlett, why do you care about the outside world? You're planning an escape, aren't you?"

Looking at this fierce, imposing man who was clearly terrified of hurting me despite his spiraling anger, an unexpected pang of sympathy hit my chest.

Poor guy. Literally everything triggers his abandonment issues.

I gently flicked his forehead.

"Silly. I was just going to ask if work was exhausting and what you did today."

To be fair, I couldn't blame Lucas for jumping to conclusions. The original Scarlett in the novel had spent every single breath probing for weaknesses, scheming her next breakout attempt.

She was definitely an extreme extrovert, unlike my painfully introverted self.

Hearing my explanation, Lucas went completely still. He scrutinized my face, desperate to find any trace of deception.

I didn't flinch. I met his intense gaze head-on, offering a warm, reassuring smile.

A hot tear suddenly dripped onto my cheek. Only then did I realize the turbulent, chaotic emotions swirling behind his carefully maintained poker face.

Honestly, how could anyone resist a fiercely capable, powerful alpha who melted into a needy, tearful puppy the second he was alone with you?

Still, I had to keep it together.

Lucas sank onto the edge of the bed, his head hanging low like a dog that had just been scolded by its master.

"Scarlett, I only do this because I love you so much. You can’t blame me..."

Hearing that pathetic line again made me sigh. I gripped his broad shoulders, forcing him to meet my gaze, and articulated every single word:

"Why would I blame you? Hubby, I freaking adore you."

"Thank you for giving a hardcore homebody like me the ultimate dream setup. I love you."

The next morning, before I even opened my eyes, I felt something soft brushing against my cheek. I grumbled groggily and tried to push it away.

"Oliver, stop it... let me sleep."

The very next second, a sharp nip on my shoulder jolted me wide awake.

I opened my eyes to see Lucas glaring down at me, his eyes dark and menacing. "Scarlett, who the hell is Oliver?!"

Before I could even answer, his eyes rimmed with red again.

Great. Here come the hurt feelings. Again.

I smoothed down his rumpled hair, gently guiding his hands away from my throat, and tested the waters:

"Willing to hear me out now?"

He turned his face away, refusing to speak, looking every bit like an aggrieved, sulking housewife.

I sighed and sat up against the headboard.

"Oliver is my cat."

"Scarlett, can a single honest word come out of your mouth? You're severely allergic to cat fur! Do you think I don't know that?"

I cut him off, signaling for him to let me finish.

"The thing is... I'm not the Scarlett you know."