Arranged Marriage: Beneath The Rumors

Chapter 24: Lugard Rudeness

Lisa's mind was filled with questions as she turned away from the window. She needed answers and she needed them now. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she made her way to the door.

As she reached for the handle, she hesitated. What if Lugard was still angry with her? What if he didn't want to see her?

Pushing the doubts aside, she opened the door. The hallway was dimly lit, with only a few candles flickering to light the way. She stepped out into the corridor, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Hello?" she called out, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is anyone there?"

The only response was the creaking sound of her feet on the tiles beneath her feet. Lisa took a step forward, her eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement.

Lisa walked towards the living room, her feet carrying her on autopilot. She had expected to see Lugard, or perhaps Dr. Ryder, but the room was empty. Her eyes drifted to the window, where she had watched the fireplace with Lugard just days before.

She felt drawn to the spot as if pulled by an unseen force. She walked towards the window, her gaze fixed on the spot where they had stood together.

But there was nothing there. No fireplace, no Lugard, no warmth. Just a space, a void that seemed to echo with her loneliness.

Without thinking, Lisa reached out and lit the candles on the nearby table. She then picked up a match and walked to the fireplace, where she had seen the fire laid out before. She struck the match and held it to the fuse, watching as the flames erupted, consuming the firewood in a blaze of color and light.

But there was no joy in it, no wonder. Just a calm, expressionless mask that hid the tears streaming down her face, the anguish crying out in her heart.

"Mom, I'm tired," she whispered, not realizing she spoke aloud. "Can you take me away from this world?"

The words hung in the air, a desperate plea to a universe that seemed deaf to her pain. As the fireworks burned themselves out, Lisa stood there, lost and alone, her heart crying out for escape.

As the last sparks of the firewood fizzled out, Lisa's eyelids drooped, her exhaustion finally catching up with her. She slumped forward, her head resting on her arms, and fell into a deep sleep.

Unbeknownst to her, Lugard had been watching from the shadows, his figure standing on the stairs. His brow furrowed in concern as he heard her whispered plea, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and frustration.

He didn't move, didn't speak, just watched as Lisa slept, her body vulnerable and fragile. He seemed to be struggling with his own emotions, his face a mask of conflicting feelings.

As the minutes ticked by, Lugard remained still, his eyes fixed on Lisa's peaceful form. The room grew darker, the only sound the soft crackling of the dying flames.

Lugard walked toward Lisa, his footsteps silent on the floor. He stood beside her, gazing down at her innocent, beautiful face. Her features were relaxed, her eyelids fluttering slightly as she dreamed. Her words still echoed in his mind: "Mom, I'm tired. Can you take me away from this world?"

He reached out a hand, his fingers brushing against her cheek. His touch was gentle, almost reverent. He seemed to be savoring the moment, his eyes drinking in the sight of her peaceful face.

After a moment, Lugard slid his arms under her, lifting her effortlessly into his embrace. He cradled her against his chest, her head resting against his shoulder. He turned and carried her towards the stairs, his movements fluid and graceful.

As he climbed the stairs, the shadows cast by the flickering candles danced across his face. His expression was somber, his eyes fixed on Lisa's face.

Upon reaching the top of the stairs, he turned towards her room. He pushed open the door and carried her inside; his eyes adjusting to the dim light within.

Gently, he laid her down on the bed, pulling the covers over her with tender movements. His hand brushed against hers, and for a moment, he hesitated, his fingers touching hers.

As he gazed at her lips, the memory of their afternoon encounter came flooding back. He recalled the feeling of his mouth on hers, the softness of her lips, and the electric spark that had run through his body.

Lugard's eyes lingered on her lips, his mind reliving the sensation of giving her oxygen, of feeling her life force stirring beneath his touch. He remembered the way his heart had raced, the way his senses had come alive.

His gaze was so intense that it seemed to burn with an inner fire. His chest rose and fell with a slow, deep breath as if he were trying to calm the storm brewing inside him.

For a moment, he stood there, lost in the memory of how beautiful and sweet her lips is, Then, with a quiet groan, he turned away, his eyes dropping to the floor. He stood like that for a moment, his shoulders tense, his fists clenched.

Finally, he seemed to shake himself out of his reverie. He took a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing, and turned to leave the room. But his eyes lingered on Lisa's face, his expression a mix of longing and restraint.

The next day, Lisa woke up to the warm rays of sunlight peeking through the curtains. She rolled onto her side, stretching her arms above her head. Her eyes felt heavy, but she couldn't shake off the feeling of peace that lingered within her.

After freshening up, Lisa walked downstairs, her footsteps light on the stairs. As she reached the bottom, she saw a maid approaching her, a gentle smile on her face.

"Good morning, Miss Lisa," the maid said, curtsying slightly. "Breakfast is ready. Dr. Ryder and Mr. Lugard are already seated in the dining room."

Lisa nodded, her stomach growling at the mention of food. She followed the maid to the dining room, her eyes scanning the room for Lugard.

As she entered, Dr. Ryder looked up, his eyes warm with a smile. Lugard, however, kept his gaze fixed on his plate, his expression unreadable.

Lisa took her seat, her heart racing slightly as she met Lugard's gaze. For a moment, they just looked at each other, the air thick with unspoken words.

Then, Dr. Ryder broke the silence, his voice cheerful. "Good morning, Lisa! I trust you slept well?"

Lisa nodded, her eyes still locked on Lugard's face. But he didn't look up, his attention focused on his phone.

Lugard's attention was focused on his phone, his thumbs moving swiftly over the screen as he typed out a message. His eyes were narrowed, his brow furrowed in concentration.

Lisa felt a pang of disappointment, wondering who could be so important that Lugard couldn't even look up to greet her. She turned her attention to Dr. Ryder, who was chatting amiably about the weather.

As the meal progressed, Lugard's phone remained his focus, his responses to the conversation brief and monosyllabic. Lisa began to feel like she was invisible, her presence barely acknowledged by the man who had held her so tenderly the night before.

Lugard continued operating his phone without taking a single bite of his food, his eyes fixed on the screen as if mesmerized.

The servants exchanged nervous glances, their hands hovering over the dishes as they waited for him to acknowledge them.

Dr. Ryder cleared his throat, trying to break the silence. "Lugard, perhaps you should—"

But Lugard didn't respond, his thumbs moving swiftly over the screen. Lisa watched him, her annoyance growing with each passing moment. She had never seen anyone so absorbed in their phone, especially not at the dinner table.

As the minutes ticked by, Lisa's anger simmered just below the surface. She couldn't believe Lugard's rudeness, his complete disregard for the people around him. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.