Billionaire's Hidden Desire**

Chapter 47: The Weight of Shadows

Lucien stood in the hallway for a moment longer, the soft sounds of the house settling around him. His mind raced with the possibilities of what Renaud might do next, the danger he posed pressing against the fragile peace they had managed to carve out. Yet, for the sake of Ivy and Celeste, he had to be strong, had to be ready.

Down the hall, Lucien could hear the faint murmurs of his parents. Henry and Evelyn had settled into the guest room, but the weight of their presence felt like a protective barrier. Lucien knew they were worried too. His father had always been a man of few words, but his stern expressions spoke volumes. Evelyn, though trying to make amends with Ivy, still carried her own guilt for the role she played in the turmoil.

He made his way down the stairs to the study. The flicker of a single lamp illuminated the space, casting long shadows on the walls. He poured himself a glass of whiskey, needing something to take the edge off the tension. As he sat down, his phone buzzed on the desk.

Lucien glanced at the screen. It was a message from one of his security teams, a report from their surveillance. They’d spotted Renaud’s car loitering again nearby. Lucien’s grip tightened around the phone, his blood boiling.

Renaud was pushing. Testing. Trying to find a way in.

His phone buzzed again—a text from his head of security.

We’ve put more guards on alert. Extra patrols around the house. Do you want us to engage if we see him close?

Lucien stared at the message, then at the amber liquid in his glass. He took a slow sip before typing back.

No. Not yet. Keep eyes on him, but don’t make a move unless he steps out of the shadows. We need to catch him in the act.

He hit send and leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. The thought of Renaud lurking out there, plotting, made his skin crawl. And Alessandra’s sudden fear and desperation… Could she be trusted at all? Or was this another ploy to throw him off guard?

Lucien couldn’t afford to misstep, not when Ivy and their daughter were so vulnerable. He had always handled his business affairs with a cold, calculated precision, but this—this was personal. Too personal.

The sound of footsteps echoed down the hall. He turned just as his father, Henry, entered the study, his expression as serious as ever.

“Couldn’t sleep either?” Henry asked, his voice gruff but concerned.

Lucien shook his head. “Too much on my mind.”

Henry crossed the room and sat in the chair opposite Lucien. “I hear you. The whole situation with Renaud… it’s spiraling, isn’t it?”

Lucien nodded, swirling the whiskey in his glass. “He’s not giving up. I think he’s biding his time, trying to find a crack in our defenses. But I won’t let him. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect Ivy and Celeste.”

Henry’s gaze sharpened. “You’ve always been a fighter, Lucien. But remember, fighting doesn’t always mean going at it head-on. Sometimes, you’ve got to be strategic. Renaud’s expecting you to react, to lose your cool. Don’t give him that satisfaction.”

Lucien took a deep breath, nodding. His father was right. He needed to stay focused, not let his emotions cloud his judgment. But the thought of Renaud so close, watching, made it hard to think straight.

“We’ll handle this, son,” Henry continued, his voice steady. “You’re not alone in this fight. We’ve got your back, all of us. But keep a clear head. For Ivy, for your daughter.”

Lucien met his father’s gaze and gave a nod of understanding. “Thanks, Dad. I’ll keep that in mind.”

They sat in silence for a moment before Henry stood and gave his son a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “Get some rest, Lucien. You’ll need it for whatever comes next.”

Lucien watched his father leave the room, the soft click of the door closing behind him. Alone again, Lucien finished his drink, his mind already calculating his next move.

He knew the storm wasn’t over. Renaud was still out there, and Alessandra’s betrayal—whether born from fear or malice—was another loose end that needed to be tied up. But for now, all that mattered was Ivy and Celeste.

Lucien returned to his room, slipping into bed beside Ivy, who shifted slightly in her sleep, her warmth grounding him. As he lay there, the weight of the world on his shoulders, he vowed to himself that no matter what, he would keep his family safe.

Outside, in the distance, a shadow moved through the night. Renaud watched from his car, his eyes cold, his mind already turning with new plans. But little did he know, Lucien was ready—ready for whatever game Renaud wanted to play.

The danger was closing in, but Lucien Blackwood was prepared. The stakes had never been higher, and the battle for his family was just beginning.