MLS Chapter 28

The moment she understood, she exhaled sharply.

“Haa—uh.”

Her breath came out in a shudder, and Miguel’s gaze wavered imperceptibly.

Lorena was too preoccupied steadying herself to notice the flicker of hesitation in his expression.

‘…That sound.’

Much more than he had anticipated…

Every time she gasped, her flushed lips parted and closed, over and over again.

Soft, ripe lips—like they would burst with sweetness the moment he bit down.

Miguel gave in and pressed his thumb against them once more.

As he applied the slightest pressure to her lower lip, he glimpsed a flash of even, white teeth and the faintest sliver of her tongue.

Lorena made a quiet noise, shifting uncomfortably.

“Mm…”

Even the small, uncertain sound she made was beautiful.

But this—this wasn’t quite a moan. It was closer to a subtle, instinctive rejection.

Her clear green eyes trembled relentlessly.

“For a married woman, you’re awfully inexperienced.”

“It seems you’re not quite ready to cheat, after all.”

Miguel deliberately whispered the words directly against her lips.

He had half a mind to tease her further—to exact a little revenge for making him play along in this game.

But after a moment’s consideration, he decided against it.

Taking this further would be easy.

If he truly wanted, he could press past those slightly parted lips and claim more.

It would align perfectly with the role she had asked him to play—as her lover.

If not for that fleeting glimpse of fear in her eyes, he wouldn’t have hesitated.

She recoiled—not from him, but from the act itself.

He recalled their conversation at the confessional—how she had suffered a panic attack while recounting a dream about sleeping with her husband.

‘A trauma?’

What kind of hell had she endured for her body to react like this?

Vaye Levantes had once called their wedding rings precious gifts for someone dear.

But judging by Lorena Levantes’ strange behavior, Miguel found that claim highly dubious.

Regardless, he had no interest in forcing her into anything.

He was here for the thrill of playing her mistress—not to become a beast.

Suppressing the flicker of base impulse, Miguel leaned back slightly, amusement settling in his expression.

Well, almost suppressing it.

There was something oddly enticing about leaving her in such a state.

At that moment, another camera shutter clicked.

That was enough.

They now had all the material they needed.

“Well, that’s it.”

As Miguel put some space between them, he gently ran his fingers over the back of Lorena’s head, smoothing down her hair.

She exhaled shakily.

“Haa…”

Lorena lowered her gaze, steadying her breath. It was only a moment later that she realized—she was still clutching his neck, holding onto him like a lifeline.

Startled, she pulled away in haste, but Miguel caught her arm before she could retreat completely.

His lips quirked into a smirk.

“We’re definitely on the same boat now.”

“…Since when were they taking pictures?”

“If you want a scandal, you have to make it happen. Gossip doesn’t just spread on its own.”

Miguel swiped a thumb across the corner of his mouth, the same thumb that had previously smeared the lipstick on hers.

A deep red stain now bled across his lips, painting him in the aftermath of what appeared to be a passionate kiss.

With his languid, half-lidded gaze and the smudged rouge, he looked like a man who had just indulged in an intense moment of intimacy.

Lorena caught a glimpse of her own reflection in his violet eyes and realized—she didn’t look much different.

Heat crept up her face.

But there was one thing she had to confirm.

“So… are we partners in crime now?”

“Before you go declaring that, there’s one thing we need to clear up.”

“Go ahead.”

Miguel’s eyes darkened slightly as he leaned in.

“I tolerated your little provocation today, but don’t do it again, Lorena.”

“……”

“Saying things like even if it means playing with fire—you shouldn’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because men like me will take it at face value.”

His tone was casual, but the sharp glint in his gaze was unmistakable.

Lorena hesitated, then muttered under her breath.

“And if I meant it?”

Miguel’s smirk widened.

“Sex isn’t something you do just because one person wants it, is it?”

The way his lips curled, the way his eyes gleamed—it was indecent. Wickedly so.

Lorena had no words to describe it other than that.

A phantom tingling ghosted across her untouched lips.

She pressed them together and merely nodded.

That was when an unwelcome voice broke through.

“S-Señora?”

Both Lorena and Miguel turned toward the sound.

It was a familiar face.

The Levantes family’s secretary stood there, mouth agape, frozen like a man who had just witnessed something impossible.

And behind him—came the sound of approaching footsteps.

Miguel reacted immediately, pulling Lorena toward the balcony’s edge.

A door, hidden behind an unpainted iron panel.

“Go down. This leads to the hotel’s back exit. There will be a carriage waiting. Go straight home. Don’t linger long enough for your husband to catch you.”

Then—Miguel let out a soft chuckle and caught her hand.

Lorena barely had time to react before his lips brushed over the back of it.

It was a strangely surreal moment.

A man who had little regard for aristocratic customs, yet here he was, adhering to etiquette when it came to her.

‘Because he’s just that skilled?’

A ridiculous thought surfaced in her mind before she could stop it.

Miguel, however, spoke before she could dwell on it further.

“We’ll have plenty to talk about from now on.”

“I suppose so.”

“Then, until next time, princess.”

The iron door closed soundlessly behind her.

And with it—an unshakable certainty settled in her bones.

No matter what divine punishment awaited her, she would never regret choosing him.

That certainty was proven the very next morning.

DUCHESS OF LEVANTES CAUGHT IN SECRET RENDEZVOUS WITH THE MARQUIS OF ERVATOS AT ALBORADA HOTEL!
The morning paper’s headline was unusually long.

Beneath it, a massive black-and-white photograph took up half the front page.

The image was scandalous—so much so that even Lorena herself felt heat prickle her skin upon seeing it.

A deep, intimate kiss, her crimson dress billowing in the night air, her hair tousled as if fingers had raked through it.

The smudged lipstick across both their lips.

Her dazed, unfocused gaze.

It wasn’t just a rumor—it was irrefutable proof.

LEVANTES FAMILY’S ENDLESS STRING OF AFFAIRS—WHO IS TO BLAME?
Lorena had gained something no amount of wealth could buy.

A perfect joker card in her hand.