Rebirth Swapped Bride: Married to a Ruthless Cursed billionaire Book2-Chapter 156: You need to eat something

Chapter 156: You need to eat something
Beauty took a bite of the spaghetti, a satisfied smile flickering across her lips.
Despite having no appetite earlier, she suddenly found herself ravenous, devouring the entire bowl of spaghetti.
Rubbing her slightly rounded belly, she beamed with contentment.
"Uncle Lucas, turns out you’re not half bad in the kitchen.
Maybe you should consider a career change."
Lucas arched an eyebrow, his sharp gaze unamused.
"Me?
The CEO of a multinational corporation, reduced to being your personal chef?"
"So what?"
She tilted her chin up defiantly, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she batted her lashes at him.
"A CEO who can’t cook isn’t husband material."
Before he could react, she wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek against his chest, clinging to him like sticky caramel.
The sudden affection caught Lucas off guard.
It seemed this injury had somehow catapulted their relationship from the icy depths of winter straight into the blazing heat of summer.
Secretly, he was grateful for the accident—without it, he and this stubborn little woman might have remained at odds for who knows how long.
Holding her like this, with no barriers between them, filled his chest with warmth. ...
Ever since her injury, Beauty had been under strict orders to rest at home.
Though she resented being cooped up, she had no choice—after all, she was living under his roof now.
What she didn’t expect was a visitor—none other than Nathalie.
Hardly anyone knew about her injury, so how had *she* found out?
There was only one explanation: her dear husband must have told her.
A bitter taste rose in Beauty’s throat, and her emotions churned like a stormy sea.
Guests should always be welcomed, especially when they’re practically colleagues!
She had to step up and greet them with the grace of a proper hostess.
Beauty usually lounged around the house in casual attire—just a simple tank top and shorts, her hair loosely draped over her shoulders.
But when the maid informed her that a Miss Nathalie had come to visit, she immediately sprang out of bed and headed to the walk-in closet, picking out a bright yellow sundress to change into.
She tied her hair back with a ribbon and dabbed on some orange lipstick to brighten her complexion.
After scrutinizing herself in the mirror from every angle, ensuring no trace of lethargy remained, she finally made her way downstairs to the living room.
This was Nathalie’s first time visiting the Marson family villa.
As she glanced around, taking in the lavish surroundings, Beauty descended the stairs with light, graceful steps—though a bandage on her temple was hard to miss.
"I heard from Lucas that you were injured, so I thought I’d drop by to check on you.
I hope I’m not interrupting anything?"
Nathalie was dressed simply yet elegantly, her eyes bright with curiosity as she surveyed the room.
Every now and then, her gaze flickered toward Beauty’s face and figure, her lips curled in a faint, polite smile.
Beauty didn’t have any particular fondness for Nathalie, but she didn’t dislike her either.
After all, the woman hadn’t done anything outright inappropriate—she was just harboring a crush on *her* man.
In all of New York, how many women were eyeing *her* man with envy?
*Her* man?
The thought sent a sudden jolt through her.
When had Lucas’s place in her heart shifted from "that insufferable old man" to *her* man?
"Not at all!
I was just bored at home. It’s nice to have someone to chat with.
How’s everything at the company lately?"
Nathalie smiled.
"Things are going well.
The new product line is about to launch—it’s the *Love’s Crystal* collection, designed by Lucas and me.
He hasn’t mentioned it to you?"
Beauty reached for a grape from the fruit platter, her fingers trembling slightly before she steadied herself, her expression unreadable.
She pursed her lips and said, "He rarely talks to me about work-related matters."
"Oh, I see!
Could you take me to Lucas’s room for a quick look?"
Nathalie gazed at her with hopeful eyes, her fingers fidgeting nervously, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
Seeing her like this, Beauty understood immediately.
So, Lucas hadn’t told her they were already married.
A sour feeling bubbled up in Beauty’s chest.
Was he keeping it from her for her own good?
Or did he have other plans in mind?
"Is it inconvenient? If it’s not a good time—" "It’s not that.
It’s just that he doesn’t like outsiders in his room.
You can take a quick look, but please don’t touch anything.
He’d be upset if he found out.
You’ve known him long enough to understand his temper."
As Beauty spoke, she turned toward the staircase.
Behind her, Nathalie smiled and remarked, "He might seem strict at work, but in private, he’s actually very gentle.
Maybe you’ve all misunderstood him."
Misunderstood?
So, he really was different
around Nathalie.
Beauty’s foot hovered mid-step before finally descending, the bitterness in her heart deepening.
Looks like the other woman was already making herself at home.
Was she, the newlywed legal wife, expected to step aside now?
The moment Nathalie entered the room, her eyes lit up as if she’d discovered a new world.
Her fingers grazed the blue-and-white bedsheet, but Beauty quickly stopped her.
"He doesn’t like people touching his personal belongings.
He’d be displeased if he knew."
Nathalie’s fingertips recoiled from the sheet.
She turned to Beauty with a coquettish smile.
"Does he sleep here every night?"
Beauty froze for a brief moment before nodding slightly.
She wasn’t keen on letting this woman in front of her know that Lucas had moved into the new house with her days ago—the fewer people aware of that, the better.
She had always preferred keeping a low profile and certainly didn’t want to make enemies everywhere.
"From now on, half of this place will be mine," Nathalie said with a faint smile, her expression unreadable as she glanced around the room.
Then, with deliberate ease, she turned and walked toward the door.
Beauty’s chest tightened.
How dare a woman say something like that right to her face?
It was nothing short of a blatant challenge!
"Mind if I take a look at your room?"
"There’s nothing worth seeing.
It’s very plain."
Her refusal was firm, her face devoid of any emotion.
Unfazed, Nathalie leaned casually against the wall, her smile widening as she studied Beauty.
"You know, Beauty," she began, her voice light but deliberate, "I don’t see any reason to hide it from you.
I love Lucas—deeply.
And the way he looks at me... it’s different from how he looks at anyone else.
I know he feels something for me too.
I want to be with him."
The words left Beauty speechless.
Here was a woman, standing in her own home, boldly declaring her love for Beauty’s man—and even implying that the feeling was mutual.
Hah.
Does she think I’m an easy target?
Is this her way of declaring war?
If this is it then ai will be ready for her. I won’t
let her have what belongs to me.
But why do I even care? Is not as if I love Lucas. Or do I? No, no I can’t be in love with Lucas.