The Devil's Contractual Bride-Chapter 35: My Husband’s Temper

Aria’s POV

I opened my eyes to the soft morning that was piercing through the hospital room’s window light.

My head still felt heavy, but the sharp pain from yesterday had dulled to a low throb.

It took me a minute before I saw the figure close to me.

Lucian was sitting in the chair beside the bed,his hands clasped tightly together like he was holding himself in place. His shirt was rumpled, strangely the same one from yesterday.

He noticed the moment my eyelids fluttered and his head snapped up, relief flashing across his face so fast it was impossible not to see.

"Aria," he breathed as he leaned forward,his hand finding mine instantly. "You’re awake."

I forced a smile through the aching pain in my lips "You’re back."

"Yes dear" He brushed his thumb across my knuckles. "How do you feel?"

"Like I got hit by a truck," I joked dryly.

A small, tired laugh escaped him, but it didn’t reach his eyes. He looked rather haunted.

I held his hand closer to my body. "Where were you last night? I waited for you all night hoping you’d walk through that door any minute, but I dozed off eventually."

His thumb stilled for a second,then he continued stroking my hand again.

"I had some business to take care of , sorry I kept you waiting."

I studied his face,the way he wouldn’t quite meet my eyes for more than a heartbeat told me that something was wrong.

"Does this business involve finding Mia?" I asked

He shook his head once. "Nope.Its just work stuff. Don’t worry about it."

"Lucian—"

"It’s handled," he cut in sharply."You need to rest and focus on getting stronger. That’s all that matters right now."

I wanted to push but the exhaustion in his posture and faint tremor in his fingers stopped me. Whatever he’d done last night, it had cost him.

I let out a slow breath. "Okay. But you’re not shutting me out again and will let me know if something goes wrong.Promise me that."

He lifted my hand and pressed his lips to my knuckles. "I promise."

The silence that followed was filled with stolen glances and smiles between Lucian and I until he eventually broke it.

"The doctor came by earlier," he started. "He said you’re doing better than expected and if everything stays stable, they’ll discharge you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" My heart gave a small, hopeful jump. "Really?"

He nodded. "Yes,the doctors said all your vitals look good but you’ll still need rest at home. And I’ll be in charge of all you do till you fully recover."

I rolled my eyes, but the thought of leaving this sterile room and sleeping in our large comfy bed instead of this hard mattress, made me leap in joy

"I can live with that," I murmured.

A soft knock interrupted us.

The door opened slightly and Nurse Maria poked her head in.

"Mr. Voss and Mrs Voss,there’s...someone here to see you."she said calmly.

Lucian straightened instantly. "Who?"

Before she could answer, the door pushed wider.

Ethan Caldwell stepped inside like he owned the room.

His eyes locked on men first, then it was fixated on Lucian.

"Where the hell did you keep Victor Hargrove?" he yelled,his eyes fuming.

The air in the room turned immediately thick.

Lucian rose slowly from the chair,his hand slipped from mine as he walked closer to the door.

Ethan took another step inside and the door clicked shut behind him.

Maria hovered in the doorway frozen and scared by the tension that was brewing in the

"You can go Maria,thank you."Lucian told her calmly

She hesitated, eyes darting between the three of us.

"Now,"Lucian reiterated with a harsher tone.

She became instantly frightened and slipped out and the door closed with a quiet snick.

Ethan didn’t wait for it to latch fully."I asked you a question, Voss."

Lucian tilted his head, studying him like a predator sizing up prey. "And I’m wondering why you think I’d answer your filthy question?."

"You think you’re smart right. I just want to let you know that if Victor doesn’t show up before the end of today,I’ll have you arrested so it’s either you tell me where he is or I start making calls,you freaking kidnapper."

I felt a sharp pain in my spine.Kidnapping?

Lucian didn’t flinch nor blink at this erroneous accusation."You’re assuming a lot," he simply replied.

Ethan stepped closer "Dont play with me Lucian.Victor missed three calls last night and his security says he never came home just after one of my guys spotted you and sneaky Margaret at the restaurant. I don’t care what she told you" he nabbed a finger at Lucian."Just tell me where the fuck he is".

Lucian smiled coldly.The same smile he always had when he was done playing nice and is about to do something irreversible.

"You really want to play this game, Ethan?"

"I’m not playing any game with you"Ethan snapped

Lucian took one step forward. "You’re in my wife’s hospital room,threatening me in front of her.It’s obvious you don’t realize how deadly I can be?"

Ethan’s gaze flicked to me again then it straightened back to Lucian.

"I’m here for answers not your stupid drama"

"Then get out," I said cut in

Ethan’s jaw ticked but he didn’t move his gaze from Lucian.

"Twenty-four hours Lucian. If Victor does not show up, you’ll have me to contend with"

Lucian didn’t answer right away. He just stared at Ethan like he was memorizing every line of his face.

Finally, he spoke up "You should leave now, Ethan."

Ethan held his gaze for another long second,then he turned on his heel and walked out.

I looked at Lucian.His fists clenched at his sides as he watched the door close behind Ethan.

"What did you do, Lucian?"

"What I had to do."