Lucas couldn't sleep that night.
The mansion was quiet, but his mind was loud with thoughts that refused to disappear. He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying everything that had happened in the bathroom the previous night.
Adrian's confession.
Adrian's touch.
Adrian's kiss.
And the way Adrian looked at him like he already belonged to him.
Lucas turned to the side and covered his face with a pillow.
"This is getting out of control."
He sat up slowly and rubbed his hair in frustration.
Ever since he transmigrated into this novel, his only goal had been simple — survive, avoid the original tragic ending, and live peacefully.
But now everything had changed.
The plot had completely broken.
Adrian was no longer cold and distant.
Adrian was no longer following the original storyline.
Instead, Adrian was getting closer and closer to him.
Lucas sighed deeply.
"Since the story has already changed… maybe I should just leave it like that."
There was no point trying to push Adrian away forever.
The original female lead hadn't even appeared yet.
The business storyline had already changed.
Adrian's personality had changed.
Even Lucas himself had changed.
Maybe he should just accept that this was a new story now.
Lucas leaned back against the headboard.
"…But that doesn't mean I should let this continue."
His expression became serious.
Because there was something important he couldn't ignore.
Their father.
Victor Carter.
The powerful head of the Carter family.
The man who adopted Adrian and raised him as his own son.
The man who valued family reputation, discipline, and order more than anything else.
Lucas clenched his fist slightly.
"If father finds out about this…"
His chest felt tight.
Victor Carter trusted Adrian.
Victor Carter trusted Lucas.
He believed they were brothers.
Family.
Partners who would lead Carter Group together in the future.
If he ever discovered that Adrian was kissing Lucas in bathrooms, cornering him in rooms, and claiming him like that…
Lucas sighed heavily.
"It would destroy everything."
The family reputation.
The trust.
The relationship between them.
And possibly Adrian's position in the Carter family.
Lucas shook his head.
"No."
He couldn't allow that.
Even if the plot had changed, this was still dangerous.
He needed to create distance again.
He needed to remind Adrian that reality still existed.
And so Lucas made a decision.
He would draw a clear line.
---
The next evening.
The Carter mansion.
Adrian sat in the living room, reviewing business documents calmly. The quiet atmosphere of the mansion surrounded him, and everything seemed normal.
Until the main door opened.
Adrian looked up.
Lucas walked in.
And beside him—
A girl.
A beautiful young woman with long hair and a gentle smile walked beside Lucas, holding his arm lightly.
Adrian's expression froze for a brief second.
Lucas spoke casually.
"We're back."
The servants looked surprised.
Lucas walked forward confidently.
"This is Nina."
The girl smiled politely.
"Good evening."
Lucas continued calmly.
"My girlfriend."
The atmosphere in the living room changed instantly.
Cold.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Adrian slowly closed the file in his hands.
His eyes moved from the girl to Lucas.
"Girlfriend?"
Lucas nodded.
"Yes."
Nina smiled shyly.
"We've been dating recently."
Adrian stood up slowly.
His gaze was calm but dark.
"Since when?"
Lucas shrugged.
"Not long ago."
Adrian walked closer.
Each step slow and controlled.
The servants quietly stepped away, sensing the tension.
Lucas remained calm.
"I brought her home for dinner."
Adrian stared at him silently for a few seconds.
Then he spoke calmly.
"Since father is not home tonight, I assume you thought it was acceptable."
Lucas's chest tightened slightly.
"Yes."
Adrian nodded.
"Fine."
Dinner was tense.
Nina tried to talk and smile politely, but Adrian barely responded.
Lucas acted normal, speaking casually and keeping the atmosphere steady.
But Adrian stayed quiet.
Watching.
Observing.
His expression calm but cold.
After dinner, Nina left.
Lucas walked her to the door.
"Take care."
Nina smiled.
"Goodnight."
She left.
Lucas closed the door.
The moment he turned around—
Adrian was standing behind him.
Watching him.
Lucas swallowed slightly.
"Adrian."
Adrian spoke calmly.
"Come to your room."
Lucas frowned.
"Why?"
Adrian didn't answer.
He simply turned and walked away.
Lucas sighed and followed him.
Inside Lucas's room—
The door closed.
Click.
Locked.
Lucas turned.
"What is this about?"
Adrian walked toward him slowly.
Lucas stepped back slightly.
"What's wrong with you?"
Adrian suddenly pushed him against the wall.
Lucas's eyes widened.
"Adrian—"
Adrian grabbed his collar.
"Girlfriend?"
Lucas tried to remain calm.
"Yes."
Adrian's voice was low and dangerous.
"You brought a girl into this house."
Lucas answered firmly.
"Yes."
Adrian's eyes darkened.
"Why?"
Lucas spoke quietly.
"To remind you of reality."
Adrian froze slightly.
Lucas continued.
"Father is still alive, Adrian."
Silence filled the room.
Lucas's voice became softer.
"If he finds out about us… what do you think will happen?"
Adrian didn't answer.
Lucas continued.
"He trusts you."
"He sees you as his son."
"He expects us to protect the Carter family's reputation."
Lucas looked at him seriously.
"So this has to stop."
Adrian laughed softly.
Cold and dangerous.
"So you brought a girl to make a point."
Lucas nodded.
"Yes."
Before Lucas could react—
Adrian suddenly kissed him.
Hard.
Angry.
Possessive.
Lucas froze.
Adrian held his waist tightly and pushed him against the wall.
The kiss was rough and intense, filled with jealousy and frustration.
Lucas tried to push him.
But Adrian held him firmly.
After a few seconds, Adrian pulled back.
Lucas breathed heavily.
"Are you insane?!"
Adrian looked at him with dark eyes.
"You are mine."
Lucas's heart skipped.
"I am not yours."
Adrian stepped closer again.
"If you bring a girl here again…"
Lucas frowned.
"…What?"
Adrian leaned close and whispered.
"I will kiss you in front of father."
Lucas froze.
Adrian continued calmly.
"In the living room."
"In front of the servants."
"In front of everyone."
Lucas's face turned red.
"You wouldn't dare."
Adrian looked at him seriously.
"Try me."
Lucas's heart raced.
Adrian's voice softened slightly.
"I don't care about reputation."
Lucas clenched his fist.
"But I care."
Adrian shook his head.
"You care too much about things that don't matter."
Lucas whispered.
"Father matters."
Adrian's gaze softened slightly.
"But you matter more."
Lucas froze.
Adrian gently touched his cheek.
"I'm not giving you up."
Lucas's heart trembled.
Adrian stepped back and unlocked the door.
Click.
Before leaving, he spoke quietly.
"Remember this, Lucas."
Lucas looked at him.
Adrian's voice was calm but firm.
"You belong beside me."
Then he walked out.
Lucas slowly sat on the bed.
His heart still beating fast.
"This is bad."
Very bad.
Because now Adrian wasn't hiding anymore.
He was openly claiming him.
Lucas covered his face.
"…What am I supposed to do now?"
And deep down—
He was starting to realize something dangerous.
He wasn't sure if he truly wanted Adrian to stop.