Chasing the Wrong Man

Fresh out of the shower, I wrapped myself in a bathrobe and stood by the floor-to-ceiling window in Lucian's bedroom, gazing at the city lights.

This was my third year chasing him. From enduring his torment every day to now having unrestricted access to his bedroom—it had taken me three years to get here.

"Daydreaming again?"

A deep voice came from behind me. Before I could turn around, strong arms wrapped around my waist. The faint scent of cedar surrounded me as Lucian rested his chin on my shoulder.

"Sienna, let's get married."

My heart skipped a beat.

Three years. I had been waiting for this moment for three years. I knew it was time.

"Lucian," I turned to face him, draping my arms around his neck. "I need a favor."

"Hmm?"

"My father has been charged with stealing Nexora Enterprises' trade secrets…" I hesitated, biting my lip. "I know this is a huge ask, but… I was hoping you could help him."

I stared at his lips, my pulse racing. If he agreed, my father would be released from prison, and I could go back to my old life—burning through money like it was nothing.

As for marrying Lucian? Yeah, no. I had no intention of tying myself to a man as dangerous as him.

But instead of answering, Lucian's expression darkened. "That's… complicated. You probably don't know this, but Nexora is my competitor."

I froze.

What?

Wasn't he supposed to be the chairman's son? Why was he calling Nexora his competitor?

"If this were just a financial issue, it'd be easy to resolve. But since it involves trade secrets…" Lucian was still explaining patiently, but I couldn't hear a word.

Only one thought consumed me.

If Lucian wasn't the son of Nexora's chairman, then there was only one possibility left.

Noah Sterling. The man I had locked up on my bed—my boss.

My stomach dropped.

I'm screwed.

Three years. I spent three whole years chasing the wrong man. Worse, I had offended the very person I was supposed to seduce.

The realization hit me so hard that I accidentally blurted out my thoughts.

"Chasing the wrong man?" Lucian's fingers brushed my cheek, his touch almost teasing. "Sienna, is there something you'd like to tell me?"

I looked up at him, his smile warm, yet somehow suffocating.

I swallowed hard. "If I told you I made a mistake—that I never meant to pursue you—would you let me go?"

His smile vanished.

"So… your whole 'love at first sight' confession was a lie?" His voice was dangerously quiet.

I took a step back. He followed. Another step. He didn't stop. Until my back hit the wall.

Lucian caged me in, palms flat against the wall on either side of me. His gaze was piercing. "You thought I was the chairman's son, didn't you?"

A cold chill ran down my spine.

I tried to push him away, but he held me firm.

"Let me guess," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. "Three years ago, you approached me on purpose… all to save your father?"

I didn't answer. But my silence was enough.

Lucian exhaled slowly, almost like he was amused. His fingers trailed down my collarbone. "Out of all the men in the world, why'd you have to pick me?"

I lowered my head, unable to meet his eyes.

For months, he had treated me with patience, with indulgence. It was enough to make me forget—Lucian Sterling wasn't just some businessman.

He was the head of the mafia.

And I had lied to him.

Which meant… I was dead.

But then, his tone shifted—low, almost playful, but with an edge sharp enough to draw blood.

"Well… since we've already started this game, let's keep playing."

His lips curled into a smirk.

"You belong to me now, Sienna. And only me."

* * *

All my misfortunes began three years ago.

Back then, I was just a spoiled rich girl, living a carefree life.

My father was a senior executive at Nexora Enterprises. My credit cards had no limits. My biggest worries were which designer bag to buy or which Michelin-starred restaurant to try next.

Until that day.

I still remember the way my father looked—being led out of our house by the police, his suit wrinkled, his tie crooked. I had never seen him look so disheveled before.

"Sienna," he turned back to me, his voice breaking into sobs. "Go to Blacktown. The chairman's son is there. Seduce him—sleep with him—do whatever it takes to make him save me!"

I was touched, really. At least he wasn't asking me to seduce the chairman himself. Even though that would've been the more effective plan.

So, I packed my bags and flew straight to Blacktown.

The moment I stepped out of the airport, a bunch of teenagers swarmed me—snatching my phone and purse before running off.

"Hey! Get back here!" I chased after them, but before I could catch up, a police car pulled in front of me.

Finally! Someone to help—

"Ma'am, you were seen aggressively chasing minors. That's a serious safety concern—"

"Excuse me? They stole my stuff! I was just trying to get it back!"

"You should've taken a photo and reported it."

"My phone was stolen! How was I supposed to take a picture? And don't even think about fining me—I don't have any money. That got stolen too."

The officer let out a long sigh. "Do you have any family in the area?"

"Yes! My fiancé lives here."

Technically, that wasn't a lie. I had come to Blacktown to seduce the chairman's son, which meant that—eventually—he would be my fiancé. Right?

"Name? Phone number?"

"He lives in the wealthy district. His last name is Sterling. I don't have his phone number," I admitted. Noticing the officer's skepticism, I quickly added, "It was saved on my phone, which was stolen."

The officers exchanged glances, whispering among themselves. I caught bits of their conversation—there were only two people in Blacktown's wealthy district with the last name Sterling.

Noah Sterling, a regional executive at Nexora Enterprises.

And Lucian Sterling—the name people only spoke in hushed tones. The mafia king.

Between the two, Noah seemed like the obvious choice.

But then I met him.

"Getting your phone stolen isn't the end of the world," Noah had said, handing me a brochure with a bright smile. "It happens all the time! But hey, if you sign up for this insurance plan, you can get a free replacement every time it happens. Sounds like a good deal, right?"

…He was selling insurance.

There was no way the chairman's son would be working as an insurance salesman.

Which meant…

That left only one option.

Lucian Sterling.

And in my naive little mind, I had convinced myself—capitalists and gangsters were all the same. Ruthless, cunning, willing to destroy lives for power.

So, of course, I assumed Lucian was the chairman's son.

And that was the biggest mistake of my life.