Chapter 34 Lucas was drowning in pain . Everyone pressured him , and guilt over Roderick haunted him relentlessly . Eventually , he caved in - with one condition : Natasha must never know . He understood her emotional boundaries , especially with Olivia involved . Even a pretense felt like betrayal . Everyone tacitly approved his condition . With Lucas by her side , Olivia's emotions steadily calmed down . Her suicidal urges ceased , and relapses grew rare . Everyone colluded to cover for them . Natasha noticed Lucas favoring Olivia but swallowed her fury - for Roderick's sake . Her love for Lucas withered daily under this torment . It was half a month before Lucas planned to propose . Having grown up together , marriage for them seemed a natural progression . Yet Lucas insisted Natashą deserved a proposal like others ' . He'd designed it meticulously , even securing the ring . Due to all these preparations , Lucas had been acting furtively those days . Sensing something amiss , Natasha decided to follow him to uncover what he was hiding from her . Backstage at a chaotic theater , Natasha saw him . He held Olivia , tenderly kissing her forehead . Before this , an obsessive fan had triggered Olivia's relapse during the curtain call . Lucas had rushed over with flowers for Natasha . In the dressing room , only the blooming flowers and the affectionate couple remained . Olivia pouted at Lucas's ringing phone . " Why does Natasha call you so much ? You've been so attentive to her lately . Tell me , what is she to you ? " Her tone was mock - fierce , her eyes trusting . Through the half - open door , Natasha met Lucas's gaze - softness still in his eyes . He paled , froze , and yet hugged Olivia back . Staring at Natasha , he said , " Just a friend ." " Just a friend . " The words felt like the universe's cruel joke for Natasha . The man she believed would always choose her reduced their bond to that . There had been warning signs all along . They existed in the special ringtone , the hidden messages , the birthdays he missed , and his growing pity for Olivia . Time had finally let Olivia snatch away Natasha's last treasure : Lucas's exclusive love , Natasha had broken up with him that very day , Lucas refused . Eyes red , he begged , " It's all an act . Hugs are what Roderick would do . I've never loved her . She's sick - she thinks I'm him . That's all . Mr. Clark and Mrs. Clark can vouch for that ." 1/3 4:34 pm PARA . Chapter 34 20 vouchers " So you all knew , " Natasha said . Her family and lover had woven a massive lie centered around Olivia for her . " I was terrified to tell you ," Lucas admitted desperately . Staring into her eyes , he continued , " If I'd told you about Olivia's illness then , you'd have broken up with me right away . " Lucas knew her so well . Natasha had an instinctive aversion to anything or anyone associated with Olivia . She would never have allowed him to get close to Olivia . Natasha didn't deny it , but lies were even more repulsive . " If she never recovers , will you abandon me every time she calls ? " she questioned . " Her condition is stabilizing . She'll be well soon , " Lucas replied . You can't answer my question directly because you know you will , right ? " she retorted . ' Roderick died saving me . He loved Olivia , and she's your sister , too , " Lucas said . ' She's not ! " Natasha exclaimed . Lucas gripped her hands . " Natasha , please . Don't leave me . We can figure this out . " Natasha regarded him frostily . Even if it wasn't his intention , for Olivia's sake , he would keep hurting her , just like today . She thought , ' This time it's a hug . What's next ? Would they kiss or sleep together ? And what I'm left with are missed movies , solitary dinners , and forgotten anniversaries . Would I always have to step aside for Olivia ? ' Their romantic relationship had given him the chance to hurt her . From that day forward , their relationship plunged to an all - time low . Knowing the truth , Lucas stopped hiding his visits to Olivia . He would always ask Natasha's permission first . Natasha wondered , ' If I said no , would he stay away ? ' But seeing his anxious glances at his phone while awaiting her reply , she knew the answer . Many thought the proposal was their breaking point . It wasn't . Natasha had merely given Lucas one final chance . And he had made his choice . " If being with me means bearing scorn and others guilting you into choices , would you leave me ? " Natasha asked curiously , watching Alexei bustling about in the kitchen . Natasha sat on the couch wrapped in a white blanket , her loose hair tucked beneath it , leaving only her flawless face exposed - like a soft snowball . 2/3 4:34 pm P Chapter 34 20 vouchers Alexei placed cream soup on the dining table , removed oven mitts , and scooped Natasha up effortlessly . Seating her at the table , he calmly set the cutlery . He responded , " Putting you on a scale means your worth is quantifiable to him . And not choosing you , no matter how many excuses he offers , only proves that in his eyes , you're less valuable than what's on the other side . " If he wants to be a grateful , upright hero , he's bound to sacrifice you . As for me , Miss Clark , have you forgotten our second meeting ? Ingratitude and betrayal are trifling charges to me ." ' Indeed , a man unafraid of bloodshed couldn't have very high moral scruples , ' she thought . Natasha should have feared him , yet his darkness comforted her strangely . Alexei suddenly leaned closer , almost cheek to cheek . " But what truly matters to me , I'd never put it on a scale to be compared with anything . Miss Clark , if you wish it off , Miss Clark - try a bit harder . " ' Harder ? So am I still someone he can weigh the pros and cons of in his heart ? Was he expecting me to try harder to win him over and become someone he'd cherish above all else ? ' she mused . Natasha lacked such confidence . She couldn't imagine anyone making Alexei reckless . Still , she played along . " How should I try ? " They were so close that her breath nearly brushed his lips as she spoke . Her freshly bathed skin carried a faint scent of rose , the same as his . Natasha's flawless face had barely visible pores , with only her black eyebrows and red lips adding color . Natasha was deliberately goading him , yet she didn't realize that with such a pretty face , no matter how harsh her words were , to him , it was nothing but flirting . And she'd asked how to please him . Alexei's eyes darkened abruptly . They were too close , Just as Natasha tried to pull back , she could hear Alexei's increasingly heavy breathing . Just as their lips were about to meet , the doorbell rang sharply . " Natasha . Open up ! " someone shouted .