Challenging a Cold Heart

Chapter 21: Lions and bulls

Luc's POV

After Nic's death and my release from hospital, I realized that Zara was pregnant. For a brief moment I had hoped that things would get better. I wanted to correct the wrongs done to that girl. Nic took out his anger over his mom capturing the love of his life on the poor Santini girl. By the time I rescued her, she was traumatized and scared out of her mind. She would scream at the sight of anyone and sob uncontrollably all the time. Perhaps it was her resemblance to my pet tigress that made me want to protect her. I didn't hand her over to her family because I knew they were cruel. So, I appointed a doctor for her and got her treated in my home.

She started talking a bit and more life returned to her as her due date neared. I got close to her because she gave me hope for continuing Nic's lineage. I wanted the child growing in her belly. That made me visit her more often than I would have normally. I was there when she gave birth to the child. She had gripped my hand and begged me not to leave her. I stayed with her throughout the labor and I was the first person to hold her baby. It was a beautiful girl that reminded me so much of my own daughter. I kissed the baby in joy and we named her "Hope" because she brought hope again into both our dismal lives, I thought. As days passed, I grew more attached to the baby. I would visit Zara every day and hold little Hope in my hands. She looked so much like Nic. She even had his dimples when she smiled. I adored the little baby, promising to love her like my own.

Meanwhile, Zara was also developing her own emotions. It surprised me one day when she suddenly hugged me and tried to kiss me. I pushed her away automatically. I wasn't used to anyone pulling sudden moves on me, let alone any sexual moves.

"I..I am sorry Luc..I mean master Luc." Her voice trembled and I stared at her as tears fell from her eyes. I sighed loudly.

"I pushed you away because I was surprised. You don't need to freak out." I told her.

"I am sorry. I fell in love with you on my own." She said and it made me scowl. The word "love" made me very apprehensive.

"Why?" I asked her and she stared at me.

"You..you are different from what people say. You are nothing like your brothers. You are kind and sweet." She said.

"I am afraid you've seen a very rare side of me which is honestly reserved for this baby." I said, glancing at her child.

She looked heartbroken at that. "I am sorry. I am probably too ugly for you." She said.

"You are not ugly." I said simply.

"But you don't want me." She replied.

"I don't want anybody." I said curtly as I walked over to the baby's crib.

"I am sorry. I..I didn't know you felt like that. I probably overstepped my bounds today. Please don't dismiss me now that you know my feelings. I know I don't deserve you but I couldn't keep it in my heart anymore. It just came out without much thought." She said anxiously.

I sighed as I looked at her. She reminded me a bit of Emma as well in how meek she was. I wondered if I should dare to consider getting married again. Two was enough already and I couldn't do it anymore.

"Didn't you love Nic too before me? And yet you got scared when you saw the real him. What makes you think you could handle me?" I asked her and she stared at me.

"I don't think you would ever rape me no matter what happened. Am I wrong?" She asked me. I didn't reply. She guessed right. But that would be the least of her worries with me.

"Can I get a chance?" She asked me and I found myself staring at her for a few seconds.

"I don't know. Do what you want. If you can convince me to like you back I will give you that chance." I told her and she smiled brightly at me.