Lucas pov
I got back to my mansion feeling exhausted after the long day. As I parked my car, my mind kept drifting back to Claire and her son, Brian. The resemblance was uncanny - those eyes, that smile, it was like looking at a younger version of myself.
A nagging doubt crept in. Could Brian be my son? Claire and I had that one night of passion years ago. But she said Brian was only five, which would mean she was with someone else when we...No, I shouldn't jump to conclusions.
I was still mulling it over when my phone rang. It was Mom.
"Lucas! Why on earth did you cancel your dinner date with Chloe?" she demanded. "The poor girl was left waiting at the restaurant like a fool."
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "I had a business meeting that ran late, Mother. I was too tired for dinner."
"That's no excuse! You didn't even have the decency to call Chloe and let her know?"
"I was going to message her," I lied, not wanting another lecture.
"Well, it's too late for that now. You need to start taking this relationship with Chloe seriously. The Quinns are expecting you both to be engaged soon."
I gripped the steering wheel tightly as frustration built up inside me. "Mother, I've told you before, I'm not ready for that kind of commitment yet."
She made a tsk sound. "Don't be ridiculous. Chloe is a wonderful girl from an impeccable family. You'd be lucky to have her as your wife."
Lucky? The word felt like a slap. I thought about Claire again, the connection I felt with her, the explosive chemistry. That was luck.
"I have to go, Mother. We'll discuss this another time." I ended the call abruptly before she could protest further.
With an irritating sigh, I got out of the car and headed inside, tossing my suitcases casually onto the marble floor of the Antechamber. I needed a drink.
Kicking off my shoes, I strode into the living room and poured myself a healthy amount of scotch. I downed half the glass in one go, savoring the slow burn down my throat.
As I settled onto the plush couch, memories of that night with Claire came rushing back unbidden. Her soft skin beneath my exploring hands, her breathy moans of pleasure as we moved together, the incredible tightness of her around me as I thrust deeper and deeper...
I closed my eyes, a faint smile playing at the corners of my mouth. That had been one hell of a night. Meeting Claire again after all these years, it felt like fate was giving me a second chance.
This time, I wouldn't let her slip away. This time, I'd fight for what I wanted - or who I wanted. Even if it meant defying my mother and the future she had all planned out for me.
My jaw clenched with resolve. I would get to the bottom of this Brian situation too. If he was my son...well, Claire had some explaining to do for keeping that from me all this time.
Draining the last of my drink, I set the empty glass aside and leaned back against the cushions. I was deeply lost in thought, considering my next move, when a slight noise from the other side of the room made me sit upright.
I wasn't alone in here. Someone else was in my house.
I froze as the sound registered, barely perceptible but unmistakable. Someone else was in my house. With a rush flooded my veins as I reached under the couch cushion for the gun I kept stashed there.
Sliding it out quietly, I rose to my feet and moved with silent steps toward the hallway. My grip tightened on the weapon as I approached the door to my bedroom, the only other room on this floor.
With my free hand, I flipped on the light switch. "What the hell?"
There sat Chloe, perched primly on the edge of my bed, looking entirely too comfortable invading my personal space like this.
"Chloe? What are you doing here?" I demanded, the gun still leveled in her direction though I knew I wouldn't actually use it.
She blinked up at me with those big doe eyes. "Why did you leave me at the restaurant, Lucas? Why didn't you answer any of my calls or texts?"
The accusatory lilt in her tone instantly put me on the defensive. "How did you even get in here?"
"Why did you make me look like a fool?" she pressed, ignoring my question entirely.
My jaw clenched as impatience and annoyance flared within me. "I had a business meeting that ran late. I was going to message you but it slipped my mind, okay? You didn't have to come barging into my home like this."
"This is the second time you've stood me up!" She rose from the bed, hands planted on her hips in a gesture of indignation. "What is going on with you, Lucas? One minute you're charming and attentive, the next you're hot and cold. I don't understand!"
"Maybe I'm just not that into you, Chloe," I bit out callously. "Did that thought ever cross your pretty little mind?"
The stunned look on her face almost made me feel bad. Almost. But a larger part of me was sick of dancing around this issue, catering to her feelings while my own wants and needs were constantly dismissed.
"We were never officially dating," I went on bluntly. "Any assumptions about us being a couple were yours alone. I'm not interested in getting engaged or married or any of that, especially not to you."
Tears sprang to her eyes and she grabbed her purse from the bed, clutching it tightly to her chest. With a wobbling chin, she hurried past me toward the door. "You're despicable, Lucas Andreson," she choked out. "An arrogant, selfish prick."
I didn't try to stop her or offer any placating words as she fled from my bedroom. Let her think what she wanted – I was over walking on eggshells around her and my mother's expectations.
Once she was gone, I called out sharply. "Margaret! Get in here right now!"
The poor woman nearly tripped over herself in her haste to get to me, eyes widened in fear as they landed on the gun still gripped in my hand. "Y-yes sir?"
"How the hell did Chloe get into my home?" I growled, feeling the migraine building behind my eyes. "You're supposed to be screening visitors."
Margaret shrank back like I'd struck her. "I-I don't know, Mr. Andreson. She must have slipped past while I was..."
"Save it," I cut her off curtly. "Just make sure it doesn't happen again. No more uninvited guests in my home, do you understand? Especially not Ms. Quinn."
She nodded fervently, looking on the verge of tears herself. "Yes sir, I'm so sorry..."
Waving a dismissive hand, I turned and stalked back toward my bedroom, beyond done with this whole situation. Once inside, I tossed the gun carelessly onto the bed and collapsed onto the plush mattress with a groan.
For a single, blissful moment, my mind was blessedly blank of any thoughts or worries. But it didn't last long before Claire's face materialized in my mind's eye, that radiant smile, those captivating eyes. Just the memory of her was enough to momentarily erase the stress and irritation from moments ago.
A faint smile tugged at my lips as I remembered our night together, the explosive passion, the way our bodies seemed to join together like two perfectly matched puzzle pieces. I could still hear her breathless gasps of pleasure echoing in my ears, still feel the warmth of her silken skin beneath my roaming hands...
I groaned low in my throat, wanting nothing more than to lose myself in those intoxicating memories for a while. To hell with Chloe and her hurt feelings, to hell with my mother's incessant nagging about settling down and acting like an upstanding member of society.
All I wanted was Claire. If she'd let me, I'd spend hours meeting myself with every single delicious inch of her body. If Brian was mine...well, we'd find a way to make it work, to be the family I realized now that I craved more than anything.
My gut twisted with a new sense of resolve. I had to find out the truth, one way or another. And then I could decide how to proceed and fight for what - for who - I truly wanted.
Lucas povI woke with a start, eyes flying open as the early morning sunlight filtered through the curtains. Glancing at the clock, I was surprised to see how early it was earlier than I'd wakened in a long time without being roused by an important meeting or business obligation.But today wasn't about work. Today was about Claire...and Brian. A small smile tugged at my lips as I thought about the little boy who could quite possibly be my son. The resemblance was uncanny, and the more I pondered it, the more I felt that unshakable gut instinct that he had to be mine.With a renewed sense of purpose, I threw off the covers and headed for the shower, thoughts of Claire and that amazing night we shared flooding my mind. As the hot water sluiced over my body, I found myself growing hard just reminiscing about the softness of her skin, the breathtaking noises of pleasure she made as we moved together in perfect rhythm. Shaking my head to dispel the sensual memories before I got too carrie
Claire’s povBreakfast was a lively affair, with Brian chattering nonstop about his design ideas while Lucas listened with rapt attention. The bond between them was palpable, like two kindred spirits connecting on a level I couldn't fully grasp.As we cleaned up and got ready to head to the office, I couldn't help stealing sidelong glances at the pair, my heart doing funny little flip-flops. Lucas looked so at ease around Brian, so genuinely engaged and interested. And my son, in turn, was positively glowing with the focused notice from his new "friend."When we pulled up to the office, I wasn't surprised by the curious looks and whispered murmurs from my employees milling about outside. I'm sure the sight of me arriving with the city's most eligible bachelor in tow was quite the gossip-worthy spectacle.Ignoring the raised eyebrows and not-so-subtle gawking, I ushered Lucas and Brian inside, my son's little hand gripped securely in mine. We hadn't taken two steps through the lobby be
Lucas’s pov I walked into my office in a rush, impatience thrumming through my veins. Jason better have a damn good reason for summoning me here on a weekend. "This better be important," I barked as I flung open the door with rather more force than necessary. "What couldn't possibly wait until Monday?"Jason glanced up calmly from where he was shuffling through paperwork at his desk, utterly unfazed by my brusque entrance. "My apologies, Mr. Anderson , I didn't realize it was still the weekend for you."I opened my mouth to fire off a scathing retort when his words properly registered. With a huff, I raked a hand through my hair and forced myself to take a steadying breath. Jason didn't deserve the brunt of my foul mood."You're right, you're right. I'm sorry," I said, the lingering high from my encounter with Claire slowly ebbing. "It's just been an...eventful morning. What's this all about?"Jason regarded me with knowing eyes, one brow quirked. "I could ask you the same. You're n
Claire’s povAfter Lucas left my office, I couldn't seem to wipe the smile from my face or the delicious ache from between my thighs. Just being near him again, drinking in his masculine presence, the memories came flooding back in vivid detail.The way he looked the first night we met, ruggedly handsome in that perfectly tailored suit, wisps of dark hair falling over his forehead as sweat beaded there from the heat of the crowded club. The potent intensity in those brandy-colored eyes when they met mine from across the room. The way his muscular frame moved with raw, predatory grace as he approached, making a beeline straight for me through the throngs of people.That night had been electric, charged with chemistry so palpable I could all but taste it on the air. Just like today when he pulled me into his arms and claimed my lips in that searing, breath-stealing kiss. God, how did he still make me feel like a silly, love-struck girl with just his presence alone?I was only faintly a
Lucas’s pov I watched Claire walk into the cafe, and my heart skipped a beat. Her radiant smile lit up the room, and those deep brown eyes seemed to peer into my very soul. As she approached our table, I rose to greet her, captivated by her effortless beauty."Wow you look amazing Claire," I said, unable to hide the grin spreading across my face. "I hope you don't mind, but I've taken the liberty of ordering for us already. Please, have a seat."She obliged, settling into the chair across from me. "Why, thank you, Lucas. That's very kind of you." The waiter arrived shortly after, placing our meals before us. Claire's eyes widened with delight at the sight of the delectable spread. As we began to eat, I couldn't resist the urge to learn more about this enchanting woman."So, Claire," I began, setting down my fork. "If you don't mind me asking, have you had any serious relationships since... Well, since that night we met?"A slight blush crept into her cheeks, and she averted her gaze
Claire’s povMy feet pounded against the pavement as I ran, tears blurring my vision. The ache in my chest felt like a gaping wound, one that wouldn't stop bleeding no matter how hard I pressed against it.How could Lucas do this to me? After everything we'd been through together, how could he have another woman waiting in the wings? A fiancée, no less? The betrayal cut deeper than any knife.Part of me didn't want to believe Chloe's nasty words. Lucas had seemed so sincere, so vulnerable when he asked about my relationships. There was a tenderness in his eyes that made me think, just maybe, he still cared. But then that ring appeared, glittering like a poisonous viper poised to strike. The denial on Lucas's face couldn't erase the sting of seeing such blatant proof of his deceit. My mind spun with a whirlwind of doubts and insecurities.Did he ever really love me at all, or had it all been a game, a ploy to get close for some nefarious reason? The thought made me shudder, my heart g
Claire’s povI went past Anna into the outer office. My stomach felt tied up in knots. And there she was - Chloe, glaring at me with clear hatred. Her lips curled into a mean smile as I came closer."You," she spit out, venom in her voice. "I don't know what dirty little thing you think you have with Lucas, but it ends now."I felt mad at her demeaning tone, anger burning hot in my chest. "I don't think that's any of your business, Chloe."She laughed in a mocking way. "Of course it's my business. Can you imagine, a high-class billionaire like Lucas being with a low-life, poor girl like you? It's disgusting, not to mention impossible." The cruel words cut right through me, bringing up every insecure feeling I tried to bury. I was suddenly very aware of my modest office, my ill-fitting jacket, my bare ring finger.A tremor went through me, but I fought against it, gathering up my last bit of boldness. I looked straight at Chloe, mouth set in a hard line. "Well, it seems Lucas saw so
Chloe's POVI stormed out of Nova Designs, tears streaming down my face. Humiliated. Betrayed. How could Lucas treat me this way? Over some nobody like Claire? My vision blurred as I stumbled into the backseat of the car waiting for me. "Home, now," I choked out to the driver, not even bothering to wipe my eyes. Let him see my pain. Let the whole damn world know.The ride passed in a daze, the city lights smearing together through my tears. Before I knew it, we pulled up to the sprawling mansion I called home. I practically fell out of the car, my heels wobbling on the cobblestone drive.Somehow, I made it inside, the heavy door slamming shut behind me with a resounding thud. And there in the grand foyer stood Grandpa, his weathered face etched with concern."Chloe, darling, what's wrong?" He rushed over, age-spotted hands reaching for my shoulders. "You're crying..."A fresh wave of sobs wracked my body. I collapsed into his arms, burying my face against his suited chest. "Oh Grand
Claire sat in the hospital waiting room, her hands clenched together so tightly that her knuckles turned white. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled the air, and the soft murmurs of nurses and doctors blended into the background. But she heard none of it.All she could think about was Lucas.He had lost so much blood. The doctors had been inside the operating room for hours. Every time the doors swung open, her heart leaped into her throat, but it was never the news she wanted.Her entire body was stiff with exhaustion, but she couldn’t rest. Not when his life was hanging by a thread.She leaned forward, burying her face in her hands. “Please, just let him be okay,” she whispered to no one in particular.A sudden commotion near the nurses’ station caught her attention. Several people had gathered around the television mounted on the wall, murmuring among themselves.Claire frowned and slowly stood up, walking toward them. The screen displayed breaking news, and her heart nearly st
Claire sat in the hospital waiting room, her hands clenched together so tightly that her knuckles turned white. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled the air, and the soft murmurs of nurses and doctors blended into the background. But she heard none of it.All she could think about was Lucas.He had lost so much blood. The doctors had been inside the operating room for hours. Every time the doors swung open, her heart leaped into her throat, but it was never the news she wanted.Her entire body was stiff with exhaustion, but she couldn’t rest. Not when his life was hanging by a thread.She leaned forward, burying her face in her hands. “Please, just let him be okay,” she whispered to no one in particular.A sudden commotion near the nurses’ station caught her attention. Several people had gathered around the television mounted on the wall, murmuring among themselves.Claire frowned and slowly stood up, walking toward them. The screen displayed breaking news, and her heart nearly st
Chloe smirked as she looked through the small window into the children’s area.Brian was sitting alone, his little face filled with sadness.Soon, he would be out of the picture for good.And Claire would never see him again.Brian kicked his legs slowly as he sat on the wooden bench inside the orphanage playroom, watching the other children run around. He didn’t want to play. He didn’t want to be here.He wanted his mother.Tears stung his eyes, but he blinked them away. His mom always told him to be strong. But how could he be strong when he was stuck in this place with no idea when he would see her again?Then he saw her.His little heart pounded as he spotted the familiar blonde-haired woman walking through the hallway, her heels clicking against the floor.Chloe.She was the one who brought him here.She knew where his mother was.Brian jumped up, his small feet moving as fast as they could. He ran toward her just as she was about to step into an office.“Miss… please.”Chloe sto
Kelvin sat in the interrogation room, his hands cuffed to the table, sweat dripping down his forehead. The walls felt like they were closing in, and the harsh overhead light made it impossible to escape the cold, hard truth—he was caught.Across from him, PrinceWill leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. His gaze was sharp, unwavering.“Let’s try this again,” PrinceWill said. “Who else was involved?”Kelvin licked his dry lips. “I already told you everything.”PrinceWill tapped a pen against the table. “Lying won’t help you, Kelvin.”Kelvin clenched his jaw, looking away.PrinceWill sighed. “We already have enough to put you away for a long time. The only thing that’ll make your life easier is if you cooperate.”Kelvin’s fingers twitched. He knew he didn’t have a way out of this.“Fine,” he muttered. “Chloe.”PrinceWill didn’t react, but his grip on the pen tightened. “Go on.”Kelvin exhaled heavily. “She planned everything. She was the one who arranged for Brian to be taken to the
PrinceWill sat in his office, his eyes fixed on the stack of reports in front of him. The search for Brian had gone cold, and frustration was eating him alive. Claire had been coming to the station every single day, her face pale with exhaustion, her eyes swollen from endless crying. It hurt to see her like that.He had promised to help her. He couldn’t fail.A knock on the door made him glance up. One of his officers stepped in, looking hesitant.“Sir, we still haven’t recovered any CCTV footage from the night Brian was taken. It’s like everything was wiped clean,” the officer said.PrinceWill let out a slow breath, rubbing his temples. “There has to be something. No way a child disappears in a city like this without leaving a trace.”The officer sighed. “We’ve checked all nearby buildings. All footage was mysteriously deleted.”PrinceWill clenched his jaw. This wasn’t a coincidence. Someone had done this on purpose.“Sir,” another officer peeked into the room, his expression tense.
Chloe smirked as she looked through the small window into the children’s area.Brian was sitting alone, his little face filled with sadness.Soon, he would be out of the picture for good.And Claire would never see him again.Brian kicked his legs slowly as he sat on the wooden bench inside the orphanage playroom, watching the other children run around. He didn’t want to play. He didn’t want to be here.He wanted his mother.Tears stung his eyes, but he blinked them away. His mom always told him to be strong. But how could he be strong when he was stuck in this place with no idea when he would see her again?Then he saw her.His little heart pounded as he spotted the familiar blonde-haired woman walking through the hallway, her heels clicking against the floor.Chloe.She was the one who brought him here.She knew where his mother was.Brian jumped up, his small feet moving as fast as they could. He ran toward her just as she was about to step into an office.“Miss… please.”Chloe sto
Lucas stormed into his office, his entire body rigid with anger. His assistant, Mark, stood near his desk, looking anxious.“You need to see this,” Mark said, handing Lucas a file.Lucas barely glanced at it before slamming it onto the desk. “Tell me what happened.”Mark hesitated. “Kelvin called for a vote. He convinced the board members that your absence was harming the company.”Lucas’s eyes darkened. “And they listened?”Mark swallowed. “Most of them. But I called Camila.”Lucas’s jaw clenched at the name.Camila.His former love interest.It had been years since they last spoke, but she still held significant power in the company after inheriting her late father’s shares.Mark continued, “She arrived just before the final vote. As soon as she voted no, the others started reconsidering. Almost all of them joined her.”Lucas exhaled slowly, his hands tightening into fists.“So I’m still CEO.”Mark nodded. “Yes. But Kelvin isn’t backing down. He acted like nothing happened, said he’
Lucas lay on his bed, his body burning with fever. His head felt like it was splitting in two, his muscles weak, his throat dry. He barely had the strength to lift his arm, let alone get up. The room was dimly lit, curtains drawn shut, and the air was thick with silence.He had ignored his health for too long. Days without eating properly, sleepless nights filled with stress, and now his body had given up on him.A cold hand touched his forehead, and he groaned, shifting slightly.“Shh,” a soft voice murmured. “Just rest, Lucas. That’s all your body needs for now. Stop fighting it.”He forced his heavy eyelids open, his vision blurry. A figure sat beside him, a damp cloth in her hand. He blinked, trying to focus.Chloe? He wondered as his body tensed immediately.“What… are you doing here?” His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.Chloe gave him a small smile, pressing the cloth against his forehead. “Taking care of you.”Lucas tried to move, but his limbs felt too weak. “How di
Chloe pulled her coat tighter around her body as she stepped out of the car. The orphanage stood before her, an old brick building with a rusted iron gate. Children played in the front yard, their laughter ringing through the air. The sight made her sick.She wasn’t here for charity.With a confident stride, she walked through the entrance, where a woman in a long, dark dress stood behind a desk. The woman, Sister Agnes, looked up from a pile of papers, adjusting her glasses as Chloe approached.“Good afternoon,” Sister Agnes greeted, offering a warm smile. “How may I help you?”Chloe forced a sad expression onto her face, lowering her gaze. “I’m here to… to give my son up for adoption.”Sister Agnes’s smile faltered. “Oh, dear. That must be very difficult for you.”Chloe let out a dramatic sigh. “It is,” she whispered, looking down as if holding back tears. “I love him so much, but I can’t give him the life he deserves.”Sister Agnes reached across the desk, gently touching Chloe’s