I endured the pain and asked with steady calm, "Tell me, Luca York, what exactly do I still owe you? I’ll repay every last bit."

He opened his mouth to respond, but his phone rang. The moment he glanced at the caller ID, his expression shifted. I did not need to look to know who it was. Who else but Lilian?

"Lilian, I’m at the hospital."

"It’s nothing serious. Zara had a miscarriage."

"You don’t need to come. If the reporters catch wind of it, it’ll damage your image to be linked with someone like her."

In the end, Lilian had won. I watched as Luca’s tone softened into a familiar smile. "All right, all right. I’ll listen to you. You’re always overthinking, silly girl."

When the call ended, he turned to me as he spoke with a cold voice, "Lilian will be here soon. Watch your mouth. Say the right things, keep the rest to yourself."

I nodded with mock obedience. "Don’t worry. Even if she hurts me just like you did, I’ll forgive her."

"After all, you’re protecting her. And I know better than to fight a losing battle."