Bella's POV
I was unnervally composed, so composed that Lucius probably thought I was discussing someone else entirely, not myself.
The sympathy in Lucius's gaze intensified, igniting a twisted notion within him.
He wondered, 'What if I simply kept Bella hidden away, made her exclusively mine?'
'Even if she despises me, resents me... as long as she remains beside me, that would be sufficient.'
Yet another voice within him murmured, 'Wouldn't she end up despising me for this?'
Crushed, Lucius dropped his gaze, obviously unable to respond to my question.
He could barely force himself to look me in the eye.
After shooting him a frigid stare, I said icily, "Listen carefully, Lucius. From this moment forward, you need to keep your nose out of my business. Whether I survive or perish has nothing to do with you."
I went on, my voice thick with disdain, "And drop that remorseful expression—it makes me sick."
