Lustful Paradise

After a drive through the city that seemed to stretch out forever, the supercar pulled up into the garage of the Reynolds mansion. Then, one by one, everyone inside the car got off and went inside the main door, heading toward the spacious living room.

Vanessa sat on the single-seater couch, crossing her legs while resting her elbows on them. She watched in silence as Gwen took her place on the loveseat next to Lucifer.

Lucifer patted her thigh, feeling her tense under his touch. She looked around at her surroundings before settling into a comfortable position in her seat.

This was the second time she had set foot inside his home. The first time had been when they celebrated his birthday with an intimate party. That day was also the first time she saw his mother, Lisa Reynolds.

And the way Lucifer held her hand and pulled her into their presence sent nervous shivers through her body. Gwen was freaking out since she wasn't sure what his family thought of her. But her nervousness turned to joy the instant Mrs. Reynolds smiled at her and welcomed her with open arms.

Now, however, it was quite the opposite. The very thing that made her feel special a few days ago was the source of worry that fluttered in her chest.

"So, tell me about this whole situation?" Gwen looked at her boyfriend and asked in a composed manner, giving him a chance to speak while he rubbed her thighs with his big hands, reassuring her to remain calm.

But no matter how comforting his hands were, it couldn't dispel the shock that struck her heart when she saw Vanessa's pictures online. They were kissing and hugging in a very suggestive manner. Those images displayed their chemistry like the perfect couple. Moreover, it showed him touching her butt and grabbing her in a sexy manner that poked a hole in her heart.

Lucifer paused before turning to Vanessa, who nodded her head in a silent response to the unspoken question she found in his eyes.

He then stared back into his girlfriend's worried eyes and said, "What I am going to tell you now... might come across as hurtful and betraying... But let me say this. I love you. I really do."

"But..." Gwen interjected as her heartbeat became frantic and she gripped his hands. "There shouldn't be a 'but' when you are talking about something as strong as the word 'love.' Should there?"

"Unfortunately, yes." Lucifer gave her an apologetic look. "Please, let me speak out my thoughts first and listen without interruption until I am done. Just trust me. It will be better that way. And afterward, you can be angry or disappointed with me, whatever your heart feels. All that matters is that I want you to understand everything because I respect our relationship as a couple."

These words and the manner in which he spoke made her curious. She turned her gaze to Vanessa for a brief second before returning to Lucifer, giving him a nod of approval to continue speaking.

Gwen had to gather every ounce of strength in her body not to burst into tears from all the emotional turmoil bubbling inside her heart and soul at that moment. Something horrible was coming for her, and she needed to be ready to face it with her head held high.

Lucifer stroked her hand and then breathed out, preparing himself to come clean to the person who deserved nothing less than complete honesty. "This might seem unacceptable, but I don't just love you, Gwen. I love many women, and each one of them is special."

"...WHAT?" Gwen stared at him in horror, her mouth open wide and her mind racing with a thousand questions that wanted to spill forth from her throat at once.

She had a feeling this would happen after seeing his photos online, but she had been hoping against hope that it wasn't true and her doubts were unwarranted.

After all, she had already given permission for him to act romantically with his co-workers on screen, so perhaps the kiss and the intimacy in the photos were just the results of getting publicity for their show.

Yes, that's what she thought.

But her thoughts shattered into pieces of glass when she heard him utter these words, cutting deep into her consciousness without mercy or restraint.

It hurt her terribly, even more so since she had imagined several times the possibility of a love triangle between her, Lucifer, and someone else.

However, hearing that there were many other women in his life threw her imagination into complete disarray, leaving her emotions in a chaotic mess.

Tears started flowing from her eyes like waterfalls while her voice choked, refusing to let words escape from her throat. She tried to take her hands out of his grip, but his strong fingers kept them still, not letting her go.

But despite this, she cried without control and asked him with broken speech, "W-why... why did you have to tell me all this? Y-you know... it would have been better if I... never found out about your betrayal! You could have hidden it. Why didn't you? Why do you want to break my heart? Is that what you're aiming for?"

Her words left Lucifer baffled for a second as he wondered whether she knew about his affairs with other women and the many lewd acts he committed in his free time.

This had not occurred to him at first, but the look in her teary eyes and the way she asked why didn't he continue deceiving her made him realize that this might very well be true. "You knew?"

"...Yes." Gwen cried harder, her voice echoing off the walls in sadness. "I k-knew it for some time now. There were hints here and there, but I... fooled myself into thinking otherwise. Because I love you so much. So, why... why, Lucifer?! Why are you destroying my world like this?"