Lucas was left staring at Cordy—was she some sort of demon of logic?"You have five minutes to consider. Either do it my way—pay him off to settle the issue and I will post bail, or do it your way—file a lawsuit to maintain your innocence. In the case of the latter, I'll leave right now." Cordy certainly did not want to waste time.Lucas was in turn left pursuing his lips, obviously reluctantly to go with Cordy's solution.However, he had the misfortune of spending enough time with Cordy to know that she walked the talk—and he did not want to stay the night at the precinct.With that, he did not hesitate further and growled through his teeth, "I'll pay."Cordy was not at all surprised in turn, since the smart ones would always pick this option—for them, any amount of money was spare change, whereas time was far more precious."Don't say a word later. I'll handle it for you," Cordy added as a condition.Lucas nodded, deciding to fully cooperate just then.As Cordy and Lucas re
The man became agitated right then. "Are you kidding me?! He hit me, but I should apologize?! You were just messing with me, weren't you?!Cordy threatened him in turn, "I was very clear. I'm compensating you for the injury my friend inflicted, but you were in the wrong because you provoked him first. I won't pay you if you don't apologize, and I'm not afraid of a lawsuit either—there are plenty of others present to testify if you struck first or if my friend did. And I'm sure there would be cameras there as well!"The man was left staring at her, stunned.He never expected that despite her beauty and delicate appearance, she was actually this tough!He glanced at the police officers nearby, but they were not saying anything.Their objective was simple—to have the matter resolved, and that would be one less issue for them."I'm counting to three. It's a lawsuit if you still refuse to apologize," Cordy said, staring sharply at the man. "One. Two…"Alright, I'll apologize," the ma
Cordy asked, "Didn't I come anyway?""Which is why I'm surprised," Lucas admitted—he really did not hold out much hope in Cordy, and she was just his last resort.He was certainly surprised that she really came, and he knew her enough to expect her laughing at him and not actually care what happened to him.Maybe she actually was interested in him?!She kept saying otherwise, but felt the complete opposite inside…Cordy frowned right then, noticing something weird about the look on his face. "What are you thinking right now?""Nothing." Lucas perished the thought. "I'll just be lodging for the night and will leave tomorrow once my luggage has been found.""What if it isn't found?""Then I'll head to the embassy to get my passport replaced without bothering you!" Lucas' restraint lasted for just a couple seconds before he started losing it again."Just one night," Cordy said reluctantly."Don't worry—I won't stay even if you asked me to once I get my passport," Lucas said. "I'
Even Cordy was really convinced that the man was not his daddy!Nonetheless, Richard bit his little lip, and tamely returned to his seat, intent on quietly observing how things turned out.Meanwhile, Cordy drove back to the mansion. It had been a long night, and it was past 11 PM when they reached home.She ignored Lucas even as he followed them, walking as she told Richard, "You should be sleeping early while you're still going through puberty, so do that right after you take a shower and remember to have a glass of warm milk before you do. I'll have Winston send it to your room later.""Okay." Richard nodded while sneaking another peek at Lucas.What happened to his daddy's face? Was there some sort of accident?"It's the weekend tomorrow, and the horse riding lesson is at 10 AM," Cordy continued. "You don't have to wake up early for your homework either—sleep in since you're sleeping late tonight. I'll have Winston wake you when the time comes.""Okay." "Is there anything
Cordy's chest hurt. She and John were never married, and he died when they confirmed their feelings for each other.Lucas was in turn frowning—he did not expect that a casual comment would invoke so much emotion in her.Nonetheless, it was clear that the so-called 'late friend' was very important to her, and they might have been in love. His heart somehow started to hurt too, even though he could not quite describe why. Naturally, he was not actually jealous—it was just his pride gnawing at him.After all, no woman could ever be indifferent toward him over the years, but Cordy genuinely seemed to be an exception to that rule.Naturally, he found that a little hard to accept."I'm going to bed," Lucas said, headed into the room.Cordy turned and headed inside her own room as well, even as the pain in her chest unfurled.She had so many regrets when it came to John that she could never get over them for the rest of her life.-The night was dark and quiet, but Cordy was on
Even as Cordy meekly leaned into Lucas' arms, she was shuddering slightly as if afraid—as if she were abandoned.Lucas inhaled deeply in turn, feeling unusually grouchy.He had no idea why, but he just was.No other woman had put him through a roller coaster of emotions like this—when he wanted to push her away, he chose to bear with it as he held her shaking body."Consider this my reward, Cordy," he told her then.Cordy never heard, even as he continued, "For letting me stay."There was no telling if he was just telling himself that either.But at the next instant, he lay down again and gathered her in his arms.When he did, he could clearly sense that she was no longer shaking, and her breathing assumed a regular rhythm as she buried her head over his chest. Lucas gulped. Cordy might be slim, but she was perky where she needed to be.-When daylight arrived the next morning, Lucas opened his eyes and immediately felt a sore back.He lowered his gaze to find that Cordy
Richard nodded. "I believe you."He certainly knew how much his mommy loved his daddy, and how much she missed him over the years.Now that his daddy had come back, she definitely would not hold back."Don't you think I just stole your mommy?" Lucas asked. He was able to tell immediately that Richard had a strong bond with his mother, not to mention that sons could get especially possessive toward their mothers in single-parent families.Did the boy really not mind?"Daddy, there's absolutely nothing wrong with you being with Mommy," Richard said seriously then. "I'll leave Mommy when I'm older anyway, and you'll be taking care of her for the rest of her life. I'd never get jealous of you."Lucas finally understood then—the boy still believed that he was his father.How much did he resemble the man?!"I'm not your daddy," he said bluntly nonetheless. "You have the wrong person.""Don't you remember us?" Richard asked him in return. "Of course I don't. I don't know you at a
Lucas was speechless. How could he explain to Richard that he was not his daddy?"Have some warm milk, Daddy. It will warm your stomach," the boy said then, eagerly passing his own glass of milk to Lucas. Lucas was unable to reject the child's kind gesture. "Thank you.""You're welcome, Daddy," Richard replied, flashing a tame smile just then.It somehow left Lucas with a mental burden, as if it would traumatize the child if he turned out not to be his father.But he really was not.Taking a sip of warm milk, he ruthlessly reminded Richard, "I'll be gone after breakfast." "Okay." Richard nodded tamely."We probably won't see each other ever again," Lucas said, making himself very clear to stop Richard from having any expectations."Why?" "Because I'm not your daddy," Lucas said, slowly and deliberately.As Richard's expression darkened, Lucas steeled himself to continue, "I understand very well how you feel, and I understand that you miss your daddy—but I'm not him, and I