Chapter 157
TERESA’S P.O.V.
The way Lucian looked at everything made my heart ache with a bittersweet joy. It was as though he had been starved for beauty and was finally feasting on it. His now bright green eyes, so full of wonder, darted from the sun-dappled trees to the swaying wildflowers, then back to the stream that sparkled like liquid diamonds.
Every little thing captivated him.
“Teresa!” he called, his voice brimming with excitement. “Look at this leaf! It’s so green p>
I bit back a laugh. “Yes, Lucian, that’s generally what leaves look like p>
He held it up, squinting at the veins running through it. “No, you don’t understand. It’s alive. You can see it. It’s like the veins in your hands p>
I smiled, watching him. How could I explain that he wasn’t seeing anything new, just seeing again? But in that moment, it was as if the whole world had been reborn, and I wouldn’t dare ruin it.
When we reached the pack house, Lucian and I were greeted with cheers and laughter. His eyes scanned the crowd eagerly, and when they landed on our twins, Ollie and Mai, my heart practically burst.
Ollie, who was now tall for his age, was showing off a wooden sword to the other pups. Mai, with her wild curls and mischievous grin, was trying to steal the sword from him.
Lucian crouched down, his arms wide open. “My pups p>
They froze, their eyes lighting up with recognition.
“Daddy!” they screamed in unison, barreling toward him with the force of a hurricane.
Lucian caught them both, spinning them around. “You’ve grown so tall! Look at you!” He set them down, studying their faces intently. “Ollie, you’re as tall as a sapling! And Mai—those curls. Just like your mother’s p>
Mai stuck her tongue out, her silver eyes gleaming with mischief. “Mommy says I’m prettier than her p>
Lucian threw his head back in laughter. “You are, little one. But don’t tell her I said that p>
“Too late,” I chimed in, crossing my arms. “I heard everything p>
Our children were now four years old; and even though Lucian had alway been with them, Lucian stared at them like he hadn’t been with them for years. It was heartbreaking and extremely sweet.
The rest of the day was a blur of Lucian rediscovering his pack. He dragged me everywhere, from the training grounds to the gardens. He even inspected the kitchens, sniffing the stew and proclaiming it “adequate,” which earned him a ladle thrown in his direction by the cook.
As we walked back toward the house, my phone vibrated sharply in my pocket, pulling me from my thoughts. I pulled it out and glanced at the screen—Amanda, my new secretary. Her frantic tone hit me the moment I answered.
“Ma’am Teresa,” she rushed out, her voice tight with urgency. “We’re being flooded with calls. People are going crazy, asking if it’s true that the chairman is blind. The press is spiraling out of control p>
I exhaled slowly, keeping my voice calm despite the rising irritation. “Amanda, don’t worry about it. My husband and I will handle it p>
Her hesitation was noticeable, even through the phone. “Are you sure? This could blow up p>
“I’m sure,” I replied firmly. “I’ll call you if I need anything p>
I hung up, but the moment my finger left the screen, my phone buzzed again. The number was unrecognized, but I answered without a second thought.
“Hello p>
“Teresa,” a voice said, smooth and sharp like a ice. My stomach clenched instantly, and a cold knot formed in my chest. It was a voice I hadn’t heard in months after he tried to make Luke and I believe some bullshit about our mom.
“What do you want.” My voice was harsh, leaving no room for warmth.
“I heard the news,” my father drawled, amusement laced in his tone. “So it’s true, then. Your boyfriend… is blind p>
I gritted my teeth, anger already bubbling beneath the surface. “Hasband, not boyfriend. Why does it matter to you p>
He chuckled, a low, sinister sound that sent shivers down my spine. “It matters because it’s entertaining. Imagine what people must be saying about you. Teresa, the weak and stupid, married to a broken man just like her. How tragic p>
“Don’t call me again,” I snapped, my voice hard.
But he ignored me, his voice turning colder. “I’m not finished. I have a proposition for you. Sign a contract with my company, and I’ll spare your mother’s belongings p>
I stopped dead in my tracks, the words hitting me like a slap. “What are you talking about?” I asked, my voice low and sharp.
“You know exactly what I mean,” he sneered. “All those precious things she left behind—her jewelry, her photographs, every sentimental Trinkets down to her clothes. Later. I’ll burn them. Every last piece, unless you agree p>
My breath caught, fury and disbelief flooding through me. “You wouldn’t dare p>
“Oh, I would,” he replied, his tone dripping with venom. “You know I would. Your husband is useless now—a liability. You need someone strong on your side, Teresa. Someone who can protect you p>
I let out a bitter laugh. “When did you start caring about me? And besides, Lucian is twice the man you’ll ever be p>
His cold laughter echoed through the phone. “Is that what you tell yourself to get through the night? Face reality, Teresa. He’s a shadow of what he was. Sign the contract and we can be the best duo the corporate world will ever see p>
“Go to hell,” I hissed, gripping the phone so tightly my knuckles turned white. “I’d rather watch you burn p>
There was a pause, a moment where his malice seemed to thicken. Then he spoke, his voice colder than ice. “The burning starts tomorrow. You have until then p>
The line went dead, and I stood frozen, trembling with rage as the weight of his threat settled over me. My chest heaved as I fought to regain control, the fiery determination in my veins burning brighter than ever. I think it was time I dealt with him once and for all.
Lucian’s hand came to rest on my shoulder. “What’s wrong p>
I looked up at him, my anger spilling over. “My father. He’s threatening to destroy everything of my mother’s unless I sign some contract with his company p>
Lucian’s eyes darkened. “That man has no limits p>
“He called you useless,” I said, my voice breaking.
Lucian tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Do I look useless to you p>
I managed a watery laugh. “Not even a little p>
“Then don’t let his words get to you.” His tone was firm but gentle. “People will talk, Teresa. Let them. The truth always comes out p>
“But what about p>
“We’ll get your mother’s things,” he interrupted. “Trust me p>
His confidence was unshakable, and it lit me up with hope.
As we walked back to the house, I couldn’t help but marvel at the man beside me. Blind or not, Lucian was a force to be reckoned with. And now that he could see again, I had no doubt he’d prove it to the world.