Rebirth Swapped Bride: Married to a Ruthless Cursed billionaire Book2-Chapter 194: He proposed to me

Chapter 194: He proposed to me
Beauty wrapped an arm around Sarah’s shoulders, gazing at her troubled expression with earnest sincerity.
"Sarah, stop blaming yourself.
With how much Ryan loves you, even if you hadn’t asked him to pretend to be your boyfriend, he would’ve confessed his feelings when the time was right."
"But then I could’ve just turned him down outright without all this guilt," Sarah sighed, hugging a cushion to her chest and resting her chin on it.
"Now I can’t bear to hurt him.
I know exactly how that feels—it’s unbearable."
The pain of being rejected by someone you love deeply—only those who’ve experienced it could truly understand.
That’s why she refused to inflict that agony on anyone else, especially Ryan.
Beauty popped a grape into Sarah’s mouth, her delicate brows furrowed in thought.
"If you have even the tiniest bit of feelings for him, maybe give dating a shot.
But if there’s absolutely nothing there, you’ll have to reject him.
Stringing him along wouldn’t be fair either."
Sarah sank deeper into the sofa, her voice pensive.
"It’s not that I feel nothing for Ryan... but it’s not love either.
You know how I am now—after Drake, I’m done with relationships.
Sometimes being single is simpler.
Fewer complications."
"I get that," Beauty nodded, then grinned mischievously.
"Though I do miss Lucas when he’s away on business.
The bed feels so empty without him—"
"...Then next time I travel for work, I’ll take you along."
A deep voice cut through their conversation, making both women jump.
Lucas descended the spiral staircase unnoticed, his lips quirking.
"Didn’t realize I was leaving my wife lonely at home.
Seems I need to step up as a husband."
Beauty shot up from the couch, her cheeks flaming.
"Must you sneak around like that?
Nearly gave me a heart attack!"
She bit her lip, mortified that he’d overheard her confession.
"Only guilty minds startle so easily," he teased, eyes glinting as he closed the distance between them.
With a devilish smirk, Lucas strode over and took a seat beside Beauty.
The way his lips curled made her wish she could vanish into thin air.
"Who’s feeling guilty like a thief?"
"You tell me!
I could’ve sworn I heard someone say they missed me.
Or maybe I’m getting old and my ears are playing tricks?"
The moment Lucas finished speaking, Sarah burst into laughter.
Who knew the famously icy Lucas had such a playful side?
Even if she was being mercilessly teased, she didn’t mind.
Beauty huffed lightly.
"I was just trying to convince Sarah to give Ryan a chance.
If I said it casually, would you even believe me?"
"Why wouldn’t I?
I believe every word my wife says."
Lately, his words had been dripping with honey, sweet enough to make her heart flutter.
Suddenly, his arm tightened around her shoulders, his cool lips brushing her ear as he murmured, "I heard someone say they missed me so much they couldn’t sleep when I was away."
"Who said that?
I never—I just said it offhand!
Honestly, I’d be thrilled if you stayed out every night. I’d have all the freedom I want."
Beauty deliberately turned her face away, feigning annoyance.
But he caught her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
His voice dropped dangerously.
"Were you serious just now?
If so, I won’t come home tonight."
"Fine, don’t!
I’ll just go to sleep at Sarah’s place.
We have so much to catch up on anyway!"
Pouting, she popped a grape into her mouth, savoring the burst of sweetness before shooting Sarah a conspiratorial grin.
Lucas tugged her to her feet, then flashed Sarah a smirk.
"You two must be hungry.
I’ll have the chef serve dinner right away."
Lucas strode into the kitchen and emerged moments later.
Gently taking Beauty’s hand, he guided her toward the dining room at an almost glacial pace, his every movement infused with meticulous care, as though the slightest misstep might aggravate her injured knee.
The dining table was laden with an extravagant spread—Italian delicacies, French haute cuisine, Korean specialties—each dish a feast for the eyes and palate.
Beauty wielded her silver knife with practiced grace, slicing through her steak with deliberate elegance.
After spending so much time by Lucas’s side, her poise had begun to mirror Sarah’s—at least in moments of quiet composure.
Mealtimes were the rare occasions when her demeanor softened into serene tranquility.
The dining room was steeped in silence.
After finishing a bowl of seafood soup, Beauty dabbed her lips with a napkin and murmured, "Lucas, why didn’t you invite Harper to join us?"
Though she harbored no affection for the woman who had been her rival since childhood, Laura was still Lucas’s sister.
Regardless of personal feelings, Beauty knew she had to extend courtesy—lest the Marson family think their new daughter-in-law was mistreating her.
"She’s not hungry.
Let’s eat without her," Lucas replied without looking up, his voice edged with frost.
His dark brows knitted together, casting a shadow over his already stern expression. The tension was palpable.
Even the servants hovering nearby moved with hushed caution, as though afraid to draw attention.
"The dishes tonight are exceptional.
Did the new chef prepare them?" Beauty asked, recalling how Lucas had hired additional culinary talents when her illness left her with no appetite, determined to coax her back to health with an ever-changing array of gourmet creations.
"Indeed.
The new French and Italian chefs handled tonight’s menu.
Does it suit your taste?"
"Absolutely.
The flavors are wonderful, and the plating is so inventive—it’s a delight just to look at.
Don’t you think so, Sarah?"
Beauty glanced up at Sarah, who had remained silent, her lips curling into a faint smile.
Sarah set down her cutlery with practiced grace, swirling the red wine in her glass before raising an eyebrow playfully.
"The dishes are absolutely delightful—nutritious and healthy.
Even for girls like us watching our weight, it’s hard not to indulge just a little more!"
"Sarah, you’re already so slender.
Why bother with dieting?"
Lucas dabbed his lips with a napkin, his expression stern as he turned to Beauty.
"I think both of you should eat more.
A little extra softness would only enhance your beauty."
Beauty leisurely savored the last piece of steak on her plate, muttering under her breath, "Easy for you to say.
Men always claim they prefer curves, but the moment a woman gains weight, suddenly she’s ’unappetizing.’
Honestly, you can’t make up your mind." ...
After lunch, the household staff swiftly cleared the dining table.
Beauty stretched lazily as she stood up, her stomach feeling pleasantly full.
If she kept eating like this, she mused, she really might end up putting on a few pounds.