Chapter 36 " Come blow out the candles . " Alexei waved a hand , ignoring Lucas completely , repeating the words . only to Natasha behind him . Alexei's dismissive attitude , without even a glance his way , treated Lucas like nothing more than a lowly insect . It grated on him . Worse , he felt Natasha slip from behind him , actually walking toward Alexei . She even complained , " Why'd you light them without me ? The wax will drip into the cake . " Alexei chuckled , pulling her close by the waist , guiding her to the table . Standing , he loomed over her , as if tucking her wholly into his embrace . I'll eat the dirty bits , " Alexei murmured . Then he urged softly , " Make a wish first ." Natasha was used to his casual closeness . They acted like an intimate couple , shutting out the uninvited guest . Lucas flushed red , fury blazing in his eyes . " Natasha , " he shouted . Alexei , who'd been watching Natasha softly , snapped his gaze at Lucas . Those hazel eyes , filled with ethal intent , pinned him in place . Lucas felt like prey cornered by a beast . Under Alexei's imposing aura , Natasha calmly made her wish . Opening her eyes , she puffed her cheeks and blew out the candles . The rich scent of the cake brought genuine delight to her . For Lucas , every silent second was agony . Alexei stood behind her , like a fierce guardian protecting his treasure , forbidding any approach . Lucas could only watch their closeness and intimacy . In this helpless observation , Lucas noticed details he'd forced himself to ignore . Alexei wore slightly worn men's slippers . A man as notoriously fastidious as Alexei wouldn't wear someone else's old shoes unless they were his own - he must have been here a while . And Alexei's clothes were comfy loungewear . No one would change into clothes like this in a stranger's house . Plus , Natasha's place has never had men's clothes stocked . Two place settings were laid out on the table . Before he arrived , they were likely about to share a late meal . And Natasha's favorite marshmallow pillow was gone from the couch , replaced by a man's suit jacket . Every detail pierced Lucas's heart like a blade . During the time he and Natasha had been locked in their quarrel , Alexei had slithered in to take advantage . Lucas dreaded imagining what else Alexei - who'd stolen another's place with no shame - might have done behind his back . 1/4 E 4:34 pm P33 . Chapter 36 20 vouchers At long last , she finished blowing out the candles and making her wish . Lucas spoke , his voice hoarse and trembling . " Natasha . Come here . " Natasha stood straight . Only now , with the cake safe , did she fully address the uninvited out . " Her tone was indifferent . guest . " Get Stung , Lucas lashed out recklessly . " Do you even know who he is ? Alexei , the guy from the Turner family . He'll get you hurt ! " " And ? " Natasha remained unnervingly calm . " You're trespassing , Mr. Wright ." Alexei , watching from the sidelines , chuckled softly . His finger tapped the table - he was amused . " Mr. Wright ? " Lucas recoiled as if struck , staring at her . " We've known each other twenty years , and you call me Mr. Wright ? " " Twenty years , and you still let her slip away . Pathetic . " Alexei's crisp voice dripped with mockery . Lucas refused to look at him , afraid he'd lash out . He kept his hand outstretched to Natasha , pleading . " Natasha , come with me . Let's get out of here . Stop trying to provoke me with someone else . " I won't ask what happened . I won't dwell on the past . I'll take you anywhere for your birthday . No Olivia . No one else . I won't be late again . Let's start over , please ? " Lucas's eyes were red - rimmed , his pride shattered . A spoiled heir like Lucas had never been this humble . But Natasha was unyielding . " I'd never tried to provoke you . That's childish . Stop deluding yourself Lucas ." Lucas couldn't bring himself to believe it . Of the two possibilities - that Natasha was using Alexei to get a rise out of him or that she was genuinely choosing to be with him - he dreaded the latter far more . " Why ? How long have they even known each other ? What gives him the right to stand beside Natasha like he belongs there ? ' Lucas thought . Lucas said , " Did he threaten you ? Don't be afraid . The Turners aren't invincible . Come with me ." Smack ! A sharp slap cracked across Lucas's face as he reached for Natasha . Her expression was glacial . " I didn't want to do that , for old times ' sake . You left me no choice ." Her words were precise . " Our end had nothing to do with Alexei . Wake up , Lucas . It's over . You have no right to control me ." Lucas stood frozen , stunned . While Alexei , enjoying the spectacle , added , " Mr. Wright , don't slander me . Natasha and I are mutually willing . 2/4 4:34 pm PS Chapter 36 EX 20 vouchers " Unlike you , the ex who won't let go . Is Miss Sutton feeling better ? Doesn't need your company anymore ? " " Stay out of this ! " Lucas snarled , convinced Alexei had tricked Natasha . " Mr. Turner . If you want to play , plenty of women exist . Why target Natasha ? She's my fiancée . " Alexei's eyes turned icy . Bang ! Lucas was kicked to the door , crashing into the wall . Small ornaments on the cabinet clattered to the floor . Alexei , a man who'd survived real bloodshed , hit harder than Natasha's light slap . Lucas felt like his insides had shifted . Alexei showed no remorse . " Who said I'm playing ? Don't insult me or Natasha . " He smirked . " Judging others by your low standards . Pathetic . " Alexei then turned an innocent , almost wounded look toward the startled Natasha . " He slandered me first . An ex calling himself your fiancé ? Shameless . " Every mention of their past fueled Alexei's rage , mentally dismembering Lucas . Alexei hadn't held back - Lucas was truly hurt . But he didn't flinch ; he just stared intensely at Natasha . " See ? I told you he's violent and unstable . Who knows if you'll be next ? Natasha , leave him . " Alexei's face was ashen , a tangible killing intent flickering in his eyes . ' Annoying fly . Might as well drag him off to feed the snakes . Better yet , slice off that silver tongue of his and mince it , he thought . Then , Natasha moved . Frowning , she turned her back on Alexei and walked towards Lucas on the floor . Lucas's eyes lit up with hope . " Natasha , " he groaned , playing the victim . " It hurts . " Blood trickled from his lip . He wasn't faking the pain . Alexei's fists clenched so tight his knuckles whitened . ' Such a tricky bastard , he thought . As Natasha neared Lucas , Alexei's voice , strained and rough , cut through the tension . " Natasha . " He sounded almost defeated . " The soup's getting cold . " The calm tone held a thread of desperate tension . But Natasha didn't stop . She kept walking toward Lucas . Alexei's hazel eyes turned stormy , fury gathering on his face . 3/4