Twenty minutes later.

Lumi Hale found Calista with her cheeks swollen and red, face twisted in fury, looking absolutely disheveled in a wrinkled evening dress. She gasped and asked,

"Cali, what happened? Weren't you supposed to be getting engaged to Lucas today? I was literally on my way there when you called me over."

"It's not my engagement with Lucas," Calista replied, her voice tight. "It's Felicity and Lucas's."

Lumi's eyes widened instantly.

"Wait, what? Felicity and Lucas?! Are you kidding me?"

Calista took a sip of her coffee, then calmly laid out the whole story.

Lumi exploded as soon as she heard the details. Slamming her hand on the table, she snapped, "Seriously? Just because she's got a heart condition, she thinks she can steal your fiancé and still have the nerve to ask you to support them? That's insane! I've seen some shameless people, but this takes the cake."

She stood up, fired up. "Girl, gimme a katana and I'll go full Kill Bill on those two clowns!"

Calista quickly stopped her, pulling her back by the arm.

"What's the point in going berserk now? Killing them would be too easy-it doesn't cut deep enough."

Lumi took a breath to calm down, eyes fixed on Calista, licking her dry lips. "Alright. So what's the plan then? Whatever it is, I'm right behind you."

Calista gave a slow smirk. "Lucas's dad-weirdly young looking, right? Since Felicity's obsessed with stealing everything I've got, I'll just beat her at her own game. I'll marry his dad. Just imagine-next time they see me, they'll have to call me 'Mom.'"

"Pfft!"

Lumi spat out her coffee-literally. But in the next second, she clutched Calista's arm, her eyes gleaming. "Okay, wait, I love that. Like, actually love it. I've seen Lucas's dad before. I don't know what kind of skincare sorcery he's into, but the man looks like he's Lucas's age-only hotter. And I mean, way hotter. Total glow-up from Lucas."

"Seriously? Good-looking and youthful?"

"Hang on-I got pictures." Lumi whipped out her phone. "I was at this party a month ago with my dad, and he pointed the guy out. I was so stunned I sneakily snapped a photo. Total heartthrob."

She handed the phone to Calista, who stared at the screen-and just like that, her eyes lit up like a million stars.

Damn, this dude... he's actually Lucas's dad? What the hell is he eating to stay that fine? That face is insane.

"He's hot, right?"

"I mean, just for that face alone, I'd do it. No regrets."

"I'm with you. Gimme a sec, I'll find out where he's at."

No time wasted-Lumi got to work contacting her people, digging up every detail about Lucas's father. In less than half an hour, she had him all mapped out.

"Once he's out cold, get him to the room I booked. Tonight's the night. Tomorrow, Lucas and Felicity better be saying 'Mom' real polite."

"Say less. All on me."

*****

9 PM. On the dot.

Calista stepped up to the door in a killer low-cut dress, keycard in hand. Lumi waited by the door, flashing her a mischievous grin. "Have fun in there."

Not shy at all, Calista laughed, chin up, waving Lumi off like she had this in the bag.

She opened the door, strutted straight toward the bed. The man was lying there, eyes shut, and up close? Damn, that face was unreal. Striking features with that arrogant charm-total knockout.

Seriously, this guy? Way out of Lucas's league. Ten out of ten, easy.

"You know, for a guy with a grown-ass son like Lucas, you're surprisingly easy on the eyes. Honestly, I'm kinda getting the short end of the stick here-but I'll let it slide. As long as those two kneel and call me 'Mom' one day, it's 100% worth it. And hey, you're not bad to look at, so I guess it evens out. Worst case? When you drop dead, just leave me half your fortune. Fair trade, right?"

After eyeing him up, Calista licked her lips and reached for his collar, all set to get things moving.

No time to waste-if that drug wore off, she'd be in trouble. Timing had to be tight to make this plan work.

She was deep in her thoughts when suddenly-bam-the guy's eyes flew open.

"Ah!" Calista jumped back, totally spooked.

"What are you trying to pull?"

Lancelot Bennett raised his brows, slowly sitting up, voice deep and rough as he stared at her.

Calista took an instinctive step back, panic flashing in her eyes.

Seriously, Lumi? Wasn't he supposed to be knocked out? Why did he look totally fine?

Whatever. No turning back now.

She clenched her jaw, shut her eyes tight, and threw herself straight at him.

Lancelot watched Calista throw herself at him with reckless determination, and a faint smirk curved his lips.

So she was the Monroe heiress? Well, now this was getting interesting.

He was supposed to meet with President Hepburn tonight-but who knew he'd get knocked out by some mystery gas instead?

This kind of bold stunt... yeah, this was a first even for him.

Seeing Calista throw herself over, Lancelot didn't resist at all. His arms reached out and wrapped smoothly around her slim waist.

That sudden wave of masculine heat and hormones instantly turned Calista's face scarlet.

Her heart skipped crazily, a heat rising through her whole body.

She was technically dating Lucas-but their relationship had been more PG than a drama on public TV. A few casual hand-holds, not even a kiss, let alone anything like... this.

So what came next between a man and a woman?

Right-clothes off.

Panicking and flustered, Calista took a deep breath, then yanked at Lancelot's shirt like her life depended on it, climbed on top of him, and started nipping like a puppy with no training.

As Calista fumbled around, Lancelot's eyes darkened, stormy and unreadable. He inhaled sharply, palms steadying her waist.

She continued kissing him clumsily, glancing up from under those misty eyes.

His look turned even more intense now-deep, blurry, heart-stopping.

In that moment, she reminded him so much of a little girl from long ago...

"Ahem... So, uh... what now?" Calista mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. Her cheeks were flushed, her breathing uneven, and strands of sweat-damp hair clung stubbornly to her temples.

After half an hour of chaotic fumbling, her nerves were frayed and her pride all but abandoned.

She tried not to stare-but it was impossible. Lancelot's bare chest rose and fell steadily in the dim light, sculpted like something out of a dream. The heat radiating off his skin made the space between them feel even smaller.

He let out a low chuckle, the sound rough, indulgent, and far too dangerous for her already-frazzled state. Reaching out, he gently covered her eyes with one calloused palm, leaning in until his lips nearly brushed her ear.

"Sweetheart," he murmured, voice like silk over steel, "you just stirred up a storm you're not ready for."

He had been holding back-barely. The drug simmered in his veins, but he'd fought it with sheer willpower. Until now. Until she, trembling and bold, had practically climbed into his lap like a lit fuse begging to be ignited.

And so he stopped fighting.

In one smooth, deliberate motion, he shifted, rolling her beneath him. The air shifted with them. The half-spoken question on her lips was swallowed by his kiss-deep, slow-burning, and devastatingly assured.

Calista gasped against him, her eyes wide, stunned. She should have pulled away. Should have said something. But all she could do was cling to him, arms instinctively wrapping around his bare torso, her fingers grazing the firm lines of his back like she was afraid to let go.

Their bodies aligned-warm skin against warm skin-so close it made her dizzy.

His breath fanned across her cheek, his hand finding her waist with quiet possession. He didn't rush. He didn't need to.

Every movement was deliberate, like he had all the time in the world to unravel her, thread by thread.

Whatever had started between them-it was no longer a game.

The room was silent now, save for the whisper of breath and the soft rustle of sheets. A slow, dangerous heat smoldered in the space between them. Not quite fire. Not yet. But it was coming.

And neither of them was backing away.

*****

The next morning.

Calista clutched the blanket around her like armor, staring at the still-sleeping Lancelot on the bed, her pretty face locked in a pure "what-the-hell" expression.

Who told her it wouldn't hurt? She was going to find those people and personally flatten them.

This man was straight-up brutal. Zero gentleness last night, seriously.

But no, now wasn't the time to sulk over that.

After a deep breath, Calista snatched a nearby cup and splashed water right in Lancelot's face.

He jerked awake immediately.

Blinking slowly, his sharp, fox-like eyes narrowed slightly as they locked onto her face-still half-lidded but already tinged with cold amusement.

Calista flinched under the man's sharp, icy gaze, but she quickly straightened her neck and jabbed a finger at Lancelot, screaming,

"You animal! What the hell did you do to me last night?!"

Lancelot slowly reined in the pressure in his eyes and stood up unhurriedly. Pulling on his clothes with a casual grace, he grabbed another set and tossed them to Calista, voice low and rough,

"Put this on."

"Don't try to change the subject! What, you think you can get away with it just because we slept together? Think again. The world doesn't work like that."

His voice hit a nerve as Calista shivered slightly. With a cough and arms clutching her clothes, she scowled and barked back stubbornly,

"You're not gonna just walk away from this."

Standing right in front of her and looking down with obvious arrogance, Lancelot said coolly,

"From what I remember, you knocked me out, dragged me here, and jumped me. Should I be calling the cops on you for assault and emotional damage, lady?"

Calista's face turned an ugly shade of green.

This guy's supposed to be Lucas's dad since when is he such a jerk? Everything was going off-script.

Trying to keep calm, she clenched her fists and said stiffly,

"I've seen lowlifes, but you? You take the cake. Not only do you walk out after sleeping with me, you actually have the guts to blame me for it? Should I report you and let all of Crownvale know what a sleazebag you are?"

She jabbed a finger dangerously close to his face, her voice blasting his ears.

Lancelot's eyes shimmered with a teasing light.

"So, what do you suggest I do?"

"Marry me. You think you can just sleep with me and walk away? No way. I'm not one of those pushovers," Calista barked, not missing a beat.

"Alright." Lancelot didn't even blink before agreeing.

Calista froze on the spot.

She'd imagined dozens of scenarios-him refusing, her threatening to release fake footage, blackmailing him into saying yes. She was all set to go nuclear if needed.

But this guy... just agreed. That easy?

"You got your ID? Today's a weekday. Let's register now. You pick the date for the wedding," he added.

"It has to be the same day as Felicity and Lucas's. I'm still waiting for them to kneel and call me 'Mom' during the tea ceremony!"

The words blurted out of her before she could stop herself. The moment they did, she slapped a hand over her mouth in horror.

What the hell did she just say?

Lancelot acted like he hadn't heard the outburst at all. Still composed, he just said,

"Your call. Now get dressed-let's go get that marriage certificate."

"Okay, got it!"

Calista scrambled to throw on her clothes, sloppily buttoning her shirt as if afraid he'd suddenly change his mind. She immediately clung to him and dragged him toward the door.

Lancelot chuckled to himself watching her flustered pace.

This woman... really reminded him of someone.

Maybe that was why he went along with this madness.

Two hours later, Calista sat in the car, eyes gleaming as she stared at the little red booklet in her hands.

Who would've thought she'd hit jackpot just by sleeping over-boom, she's now Lucas's stepmom.

Now let's see what Felicity and her crew have to say about this.

"Where to next? Should I drop you at your place or mine?"

Lancelot threw her a teasing look, lips curved in a casual smile. His long fingers lightly tapped the steering wheel as he joked with her.

Calista finally pulled her gaze off the marriage certificate and replied, "You're my husband now, obviously I'm going home with you. Gotta start working on that couple chemistry, right?"

He'd only offered to take her to his place thinking she'd turn him down. She didn't seem like the type to move in that fast.

But she went straight for the "building chemistry" card.

Lancelot's eyes glinted with mischief.

He raised an eyebrow. "You're sure you want to come home with me? We may have the paperwork, but we haven't had the wedding yet."

Sure, the certificate made them legally married, but in the eyes of others, the wedding was what counted.

"We'll have the wedding the same day as your son's," she answered, her tone matter-of-fact. "We've got the certificate, so legally I'm your wife. Is it weird to go home with my husband? I mean, yeah, we got a little up close and personal last night, but we're still not all that familiar, don't you think?"

Her ears flushed red as she tried to sound serious, though her neck was stiff with embarrassment.

Lancelot's dark eyes shimmered with quiet amusement. He chuckled, "Alright then, as you wish."

Living together, huh? This might actually get interesting.

*****

"Holy crap, Cal, you're actually amazing! I can't believe you pulled it off-I'm so impressed!"

On the way to pick up her stuff, Calista had asked Lancelot to drive her home. She messaged Lumi, told her they'd registered the marriage, and even dropped a pic of the marriage certificate.

Lumi was beyond excited when she saw the photo, cheering Calista on like a total fangirl.

Calista raised an eyebrow, grinning. "I can practically picture Lucas and Felicity's faces right now."

Lucas had dumped her for Felicity, and that girl had no shame snatching her sister's guy. Calista had no intention of letting them off easy.

"You gonna wave that marriage certificate right in their faces?"

Lumi sounded like she could barely contain her excitement.

Calista shook her head. "We may have signed the papers, but I can't be sure Lucas's dad is on my side yet. I want him to be so into me, spoiling me like crazy. Then, making Lucas and Felicity eat dirt will be a piece of cake. I'm planning to have our wedding the same day as theirs-really blindside them. Can you imagine the look on their faces when I marry his father instead of crying in a corner?"

So what? Lucas and Felicity get to flaunt their love? She'd take it ten steps further-show them what real couple goals look like.

"Damn, that's spicy! I love it. Let 'em bask in their fake happiness for now..."

The two girls schemed away over Ins, messaging back and forth like giddy partners in crime.

Meanwhile, Lancelot was quietly listening to Calista's wild plans, his eyes gleaming like he was highly entertained.

His long fingers tapped the steering wheel again, that usually cold and sharp face softening into a knowing smirk.

This woman... she's starting to remind him of someone.