Cut from Chapter 45 - Unnecessary Drama
Why it was deleted: This subplot didn't add anything meaningful to the story. It was meant to show external conflict but ended up being a distraction from the main romance.
Luca's POV
"Someone's claiming your work is theirs," Sara tells me, showing me an article.
A famous artist—Derek Mason—has published paintings nearly identical to mine. Claiming them as original work.
"He stole my art?"
"Looks like it. This is from your private collection. Pre-bonding work. How did he get access?"
I check my old studio. My early sketchbooks—gone.
"He must have broken in. Took my concepts." Rage fills me. "Years of work. Stolen."
"We sue," Rian says immediately. "Copyright infringement. Theft. We destroy him."
Three Months Later - Court Battle
"This is exhausting," I tell Rian after another day of depositions.
"I know. But we're winning. Your original sketches, dated work—it's all proof."
"What if we lose? What if he convinces everyone I'm the plagiarist?"
"Won't happen. Truth is on our side." He pulls me close. "I won't let him steal your legacy."
The trial is public. Messy. Humiliating.
Derek claims I stole from HIM. That my dates are falsified.
"Your Honor, Mr. Carter has a history of mental instability," Derek's lawyer argues. "He was kidnapped and suffered Stockholm Syndrome. Who's to say he's not fabricating evidence?"
They're using my forced claiming against me. Using my trauma as a weapon.
Rian is furious. "They can't do that—"
"They just did," I say numbly.
The Verdict
We win. Barely. The judge rules in my favor.
"Mr. Mason engaged in deliberate plagiarism. Mr. Carter is the original artist. All disputed works belong to him."
Victory. But it's hollow.
"Everyone heard about the Stockholm Syndrome argument," I tell Rian that night. "Now people are questioning our relationship again."
"Let them question. We know our truth."
"Do we? What if they're right? What if I'm just traumatized and—"
"Stop." He cups my face. "You're not traumatized into loving me. You chose me. Freely. Multiple times. That's real."
"How do you know?"
"Because I feel it. Through the bond. Through every moment together. You love me, Luca. Really love me." His eyes are intense. "Don't let some asshole lawyer make you question that."
He's right. I do love him. Genuinely.
"Okay," I say. "We know our truth. That's enough."
[This entire subplot was cut because it didn't serve the romance. It was meant to show external conflict but ended up being a distraction. The plagiarism storyline was completely removed and never mentioned in the final version.]