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Chapter 30 - Chapter 30

When I woke up, I found myself in my own room, the familiar surroundings bringing a sense of comfort. Lukas and Max were both there, their expressions a mix of relief and concern.

I turned towards Lukas, who was sitting at the edge of the bed, his brow furrowed. "I'm fine," I said, trying to reassure him, though I could see the worry still etched on his face.

"You must be hungry. I'll go get you something to eat," he said.

"Thanks," I replied, grateful for his thoughtfulness. As he stood to leave, my gaze shifted to the other side of the room, where Max was waiting, arms crossed and a serious expression on his face. I thought he would instantly annoy me with his usual banter, but this time, he looked genuinely concerned.

I instinctively lowered my head, adopting the demeanor of a good patient who always obeys the doctor's instructions.

Max rolled his eyes at me, clearly exasperated. "What did I say? Overdoing it can cause serious problems for your body."

"I didn't mean it," I could only manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

He sighed, his tone softening as he approached me. "Your genital cavity slightly opened, so avoid doing anything strenuous as much as possible," he explained, his tone softening. 

I felt my cheeks flush at Max's words, embarrassment bubbling up inside me. "I understand. I'll be more careful," I promised, trying to shake off the awkwardness.

Suddenly, a thought struck me. "What about Lukas? Is he finally okay now?"

Max looked at me, his expression serious. "It's nothing serious, although the drug was new. They mixed a massive amount of pheromone-stimulating ingredients, and if not treated, it could slowly destroy his internal organs. You did good in marking him. That drug is usually dangerous for unmarked people."

I sighed in relief, the weight of worry lifting off my shoulders. "I see. Is there anything else?"

Max's gaze turned contemplative. "What do you want to hear first, good news or bad news?"

"Good news," I replied, eager for something positive.

"Your heat cycle is almost nearing, and that's a good time to have children," he said, a grin spreading across his face.

What the hell? What is this guy talking about? "What about the bad news?"

"Since you overexerted yourself before your heat came, you need to AVOID SEX for the meantime until your body returns to a normal state again," he explained, his tone serious.

"Why?" I asked, confusion mingling with frustration.

"Why do you sound disappointed?" he shot back, raising an eyebrow as if judging me for my preferences.

I threw my pillow at him in exasperation. "It's not like that!"

"It's because your current condition can't handle it. If you have sex or even masturbate before you return to your normal condition, you'll go into a coma again. And if that happens, I quit being your family doctor," he warned, his tone firm.

"It wasn't my fault! Blame Lukas and not me!" I retorted, feeling embarrassed. 

"But you also love it, right?" he teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Stop it!" I exclaimed, blushing furiously as I buried my face in my hands, trying to hide my embarrassment.

Lukas, who had been quietly observing the exchange, chuckled softly, his relief evident. "You two are something else," he said, shaking his head with a smile.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

After kicking Max out, I finally had a moment of peace with Lukas. He had been taking care of me, feeding me and ensuring I was comfortable. Once I felt a bit stronger, I told him I wanted to sit up after lying down for a week. Without hesitation, he scooped me up and carried me all the way down to the living room.

Once we were settled, Lukas adjusted his sitting position so that I could sit comfortably on his lap. I nestled against him, feeling the warmth of his body and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath me. It felt good to be close to him again.

"Is the press conference successful?" I asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

"Of course. The medicine will be having a soft launch this week," he replied, a hint of pride in his voice.

I raised an eyebrow, curious. "By the way, what did you name the medicine?"

"Aetheris Clear," he replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "It suggests a sense of clarity and lightness, evoking the idea of removing burdens or marks."

I nodded, appreciating the thought behind the name. "I like it. It sounds promising."

He looked at me, his expression shifting slightly. "Have you found evidence of who spiked the drink?"

I could see the tension in his shoulders as he shook his head. "I couldn't find any evidence since those two old foxes never showed up at the press conference from the start to end."

My heart sank at his words. "I'm sorry. I didn't know that the water was drugged and unknowingly gave it to you," I said, guilt creeping into my voice.

"It's not your fault," he reassured me, his voice warm and steady as he pulled me closer. The certainty in his words wrapped around me like a blanket, easing the guilt I'd been carrying. With a sigh, I melted into his embrace, allowing myself to finally relax. Sleep tugged at my eyelids, and I drifted off, safe in his arms.

After a few more days, my body finally returned to normal. The past week had been a blur of slow recovery, but Lukas had been by my side the entire time—feeding me, teasing me back to laughter, and even reading to me when I grew restless. His presence had been a constant comfort, and I cherished every moment, even as I chafed at being confined to bed.

The day I was declared fully healed, Lukas hesitated at the door, his hand lingering on the frame. "I should go check on the progress of the medicine," he said, though his tone suggested he'd rather stay.

"Go," I shooed him with a smile. "I'll be fine. I need to stretch my legs anyway."

Once he left, I rolled my shoulders and stepped onto the balcony, breathing in the crisp morning air. The sunlight felt glorious after days indoors, and I stretched, feeling the pleasant pull of muscles finally free to move. Determined to regain my strength, I began a series of light exercises—slow lunges, gentle twists, anything to shake off the stiffness of bedrest.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Now that Stella was fully healed, I had been planning this day for weeks. The launch of Aetheris Clear had been a resounding success, and the buzz around it was palpable. Even the matter regarding those two old bastards had been dealt with. They had used Stella as leverage against me, and while I had been tempted to let it go, I couldn't allow anyone to threaten what was mine.

Max had already taken them away and sent to his property, an island where he kept his enemies being tortured there. He can do that since he's the mafia boss in the underworld although he still loves his job as a doctor. 

But today wasn't about those; it was about taking the next step in my life with Stella. She had no idea what I had in store for her, and I wanted it to be perfect.

Months of careful planning crystallized into this single moment. As I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my tie for what felt like the hundredth time, my heart raced with anticipation. The proposal venue was already set up—a beautiful garden adorned with twinkling lights and flowers, a place that felt magical and intimate. But the only problem remaining was how to get Stella here without her suspecting a thing.

I opened the ring box, glancing at the sparkling diamond nestled inside. Would she say yes? Was she ready to spend her life with me? The thought of Stella's fingers stiffening instead of accepting the ring sent a cold blade twisting my heart. 

I snapped the velvet box shut.

Behind him, Max leaned against the French doors, watching through half-lidded eyes. The man's smirk was all teeth. "Stage fright, Monteverde?"

"Don't flatter yourself," Lukas adjusted his cuffs, the motion sharp enough to slice tension.

Max pushed off the doorframe and looked at his watch. "It's almost time. Shall I execute the plan?"

"Do it."

As Max vanished into the shadows, Lukas let his thumb trace the ring box's seam.

Soon.

Soon, he'd know if forever was a promise or a pipedream.

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