Lucas's POV I woke up with a start, my heart racing as I reached for my phone on the nightstand. Seven missed calls from Claire. Two unread messages. Shit.I jumped out of bed, adrenaline pumping through my veins. I couldn't call her back. I needed to see her, to hold her in my arms and reassure myself that she was okay. Especially after that meeting with Eddie Spencer. That smarmy bastard had set my teeth on edge from the moment I laid eyes on him. And don't even get me started on Chloe's little ambush. I shook my head, trying to dispel the lingering unease. I had plans for today, dammit. I was supposed to take Claire and Brian to the art gallery, to nurture Brian's budding love of drawing. But now...I brushed my teeth in record time, barely pausing to rinse before I was thundering down the stairs. I snagged my keys from the hall table, my mind already three steps ahead."Lucas! Your phone!"I skidded to a halt, whirling to see Margaret, my long-suffering housekeeper, holding up
Claire's POVI clung to Lucas, drawing strength from his solid warmth, his unwavering presence. How did he always know just what to say, just what I needed to hear?"Thank you," I murmured, pressing a kiss to his chest. "For being here. For...everything.""There's nowhere else I'd rather be." He squeezed me tight, dropping a kiss to the top of my head. "I love you, Claire. So much.""I love you, too." The words came easily, naturally. A simple truth that anchored me, even in the midst of this chaos.We stayed like that for a long moment, just holding each other. Breathing each other in. And slowly, gradually, I felt the knot of tension in my chest begin to ease.Lucas was right. We would get through this. Together. Just like we always had.As if on cue, Brian came barreling back into the room, his face scrubbed pink and shining. "Pancakes now? I'm starving!"Lucas and I broke apart with a laugh, the heaviness of the moment dissipating like mist in the sun. "Pancakes now," Lucas confi
Claire's POVMy heart swelled with joy as I watched Jason and Anna walk through the door, their arms laden with gifts and bright smiles on their faces. I never expected them to arrive so quickly, but the surprise was a welcome one.I knew Anna was aware of Brian's birthday, but how did Jason know? The question flitted through my mind, but I quickly brushed it aside. Now wasn't the time for puzzles. It was a time for celebration.I joined the throng of guests, the laughter and chatter wrapping around me like a warm hug. Brian bounced on his toes, his eyes wide and eager as he tugged on my hand."Mommy, are we still having the party again tomorrow?"I smiled, smoothing a hand over his wild curls. "No, darling. Tomorrow we'll rest and open your presents. But tonight, we celebrate!"Lucas appeared at my side, his arm sliding around my waist as he grinned down at Brian. "And tomorrow, buddy, we're going to the park for a real party. Just like I promised."Brian's face lit up, his smile bri
Chloe's POVThree days. It had been three interminable days since Lucas unceremoniously chased me out of his house, his eyes cold, his voice sharp with disdain. Three days of silence, of waiting for a call, a text, some sign that he'd cooled off, that he was ready to talk.But there was nothing. Radio silence. As if I'd ceased to exist, as if those perfect months we'd shared had been nothing more than a fever dream.As if I meant nothing. Was nothing.The thought festered like a splinter under my skin, hot and painful. Maddening. Lucas was mine, dammit. Mine. And no small-town single mother was going to waltz in and steal him away. Not without a fight.So here I was, marching up the familiar path to his front door, my heels sinking into the lush grass. The house loomed before me, stately and proud, a monument to generations of Andersons.To the life Lucas and I were meant to share.I lifted my hand to knock, but hesitated. Glanced down at myself, taking in the artfully torn jeans, the
CHLOE'S POVI was unable to sleep all through the night as I tried to hatch up good plans to be able to get Lucas Anderson all to myself but nothing was forthcoming. My eyes itched as tears spilled out of them every now and then and it infuriated the hell out of me. I mean, this isn't the time to cry but to think. But how am I supposed to be able to think when everything is suggesting that Lucas is probably seated somewhere with that bitch, probably having dinner and laughing maniacally at something that is probably not funny.Why does this have to be happening to me? Suddenly, a plan crept into my head, and I smiled to myself.I kept rolling from one part of the bed to the other as I counted the ceiling. I couldn't even wait for the day to break, and it was as though the night had been intentionally long.I soon dozed off and woke up with that nostalgic feeling you have whenever you forget to do something really important.I immediately turned on my phone, and the time read 2:14 am,
Jack’s POVPuppies“I’m waiting Lucas.” For years I had tried and tried to get him at his weak point but nothing seemed to be working and now, I have him just where I want him to be. “Jack Evans.” I smile hearing my full name. “Hmm? I really have to thank you, Claire for giving me the chance and making my dreams come true. Who knew you would be the one to help me see Lucas this way? Weak and pathetic.” I bring out my gun enjoying the feel of it. “Just for the fun of this. You know? To make it more entertaining.” The ghastly look on their faces gives me an even greater level of joy. “I never for one day thought myself to be a sadist. But you see, certain situations carve out image of personalities we never foresee ourselves wearing.” “You are a sick psychopath. From the very beginning, I refused to stink with your filthy ass because you have no feelings whatsoever. I do not want anything to do with you. Just hand me back my son and get lost.” She wipes her tears but I can see it i
Chloe’s POVThe Comeback “Do you know if he will be back today?” I stand in front of the door tensed, for days, Lucas had completely ignored my call. This would be the fourth day Lucas has neither returned home nor returned any of my calls. I was starting to feel really bothered. “None of us have been able to reach him for days as well, Ma’am. If anything, he would have contacted us. Young master is just fine.” She had a look of annoyance on her face but anybody in my shoes at this moment would be really exhausted. I haven’t seen my man for days. “Grrrrrr,” we all turn back and I see Lucas’s car drive in, from where I am standing, I see shadows of human beings, one in the car holding a child. I squint to take a closer look just to be sure. “Who? Who’s in the car?” I stand with my spine straight ready to see this man snatcher. “Babe.” The moment he opens the door, I pout waiting for an explanation. What’s the meaning of all this? I stare at the woman in the car with the child. My
Claire’s POV I stood there with Brian in my arms rooted to the ground. Chloe? I furrowed my brows in confusion; I know that name, but why, why was she here at Lucas’s place? “Lu-“ I shut my mouth unable to call his name. I blinked the tears away from my eyes. I feel a hot, piercing gaze on me, and when I lift my eyes, she is staring at me with so much hatred. “Mark my words Bitch, this isn’t over.” She whispers in my ears and I know exactly why. She doesn’t want Lucas to figure it out. I squeeze my gown refusing to say a word back to her. “Man snatcher.” “Chloe! That’s enough! Get out.” I stared at his back and I couldn’t help but wonder. Is this now going to be my fate? The cold side of Lucas? “Your whole family would hear of this, I want to see how you get this thing to be your wife. You will only be frustrating her!” She stares at me like I’m some piece of trash. “I said get out.” He turns to stare at the security guards and she finally leaves. I stand there at the entrance
CHLOE'S POVIt has been a busy day trying to figure out where and when to begin the whole plan with Kelvin "I can't wait for him to get more frustrated." I smiled as I shook my glass slowly before pouring the content into my mouth.There was this joy leaping in my heart, I felt less stress when I realized that I was actually getting everything under control.My sleepless nights weren't a bad night after all. I will use them to fight against those that said I was weak...One of them is dead already."Ma'am, your coffee." One of the men handed over the cup of coffee to me."This is warm.." I took the cup from him and took a sip and continued with what I had to admire."Just like she died like a puppet, just looking, she begged for Mercy, and she found none. I will make every one of them be that way." I clenched my teeth.My phone vibrated, I felt reluctant to pick it up but then I remembered that I had so many people around getting me informed about everything that was happening."Who
LUCAS POVI had to fight so many pains during the day and night. I drank myself into a stupor and got help from the least expected person who happened to have another plan in mind. "I don't have to be this way anymore. I have a lot of things to do." I tried to convince myself to drink.My parents are very good at observing, so I think by now they must have known that I have been active these days.They will probably be thinking it is about my worker who died."It's about him anyway." I stared at my reflection in the mirror.I cleaned my eyes and tried to get out of my mess. There is no time to be crying over anything. The paper in my hand was evidence that Brian was my child.For a second, I was lost in thoughts again; the bang on my door brought me back to reality. I fluttered my lashes a thousand times trying to get out of what I was thinking."Who is there?" I folded the paper in two halves and put it in my safe."Lucas!" Mom's sounded terrifying.I scoffed and reached for the doo
KELVIN'S POVIt's been years since I found peace in being alone and not letting anyone in.The great morning, just when I was about to start my daily routine I heard a knock on the door.I don't know who I was expecting apart from the man that picks up the trash. I dressed just like I had always dressed, I didn't put on too much.With the cup of coffee I opened the door, I found who I least expected. Someone I don't even know from anywhere.The elegant woman in front of me looked at me in shock and couldn't say a word. We bantered with our eyes for a few minutes before she could finally say a word.She introduced herself to me but I spent a lot of time trying to process what she was saying.The whole “our” in the sentence was getting me confused.“Lucas!!” She called his name and the atmosphere suddenly changed.There was an awkward silence between us, I wasn't the only one whose mood was changed because of the name that she just mentioned.She is affected too, her mood, her eyes, eve
CLAIRE'S POVThe words Lucas said to me kept replaying in my head. I couldn't get it off my head, my day went bad, I could barely think like a normal human talkmore of responding to questions that were asked.Right from when I drove off until when I got home, I have been distracted with the things that replayed in my head."I need a quiet time, I do not want anyone or anything?" I instructed the maid and the security there before I entered my room."Yes ma." They nodded and proceeded with what they were doing.I fell on my bed and sobbed. All the years I hid this from Lucas, it finally came to light."How he found out is the worst way someone would find out something. I mean I will literally act the same way"Lucas.." I slowly called out the name as I bit my pillow hard so I would not be heard. "Ma?" I heard a knock on the door I immediately cease to cry, I really want to hit the bastard head off. I gave an instruction and now someone is knocking?"What the fuck is going on there?"
CHLOE'S POVMy eyes needed to get off that but here I was talking and looking down to admire.“Umm…it would help me if you tie a towel or better still put on a Short.” I smiled nervously.He scoffed and licked his lips. “I don't even know who you are, why are you giving me instructions?” He shrugged.“If you need to know who I am…then I need to concentrate.” My eyes went down there again.That isn't helping matters at all.He left the door wide open, I guess that was a sign to come in.I slowly walked into the house and inspected the whole place with just a glance.“So, what or who do you say you are?” He asked, putting on his trousers.I cleared my throat now that I had come back to my right senses.“You must be Kelvin?” I smiled.“Are any of your children missing?” He opened his arms.He sounded sarcastic and annoying at the same time. I faked a smile just so that I could get what I wanted.“What?” He cleaned my eyes with his palms.“Are you still lost? Do I have to wear a garment t
CHLOE'S POVAll my life I have never had a great opportunity to like this. I stalked Lucas' house because I knew she was going to come around, I wasn't wrong.Claire came to meet Lucas, and after some minutes, she left the house; her face when she drove past me showed there was a little problem between them."Well, she would stay longer if she had no problem with him. So...." I smiled as everything was like a book open at me.I snapped and turned off my engine to get into the house. I don't know what I was going to say, but with the way he was hurt, he would definitely want someone around, it might not be me, but I'm the only available person right now.Chloe.." he called out slowly.He was soaked with the wine that he drank. I've not seen him in this state before...I couldn't say a word, I took the drink and helped him with the wounds until it was morning.It was easier to make him have me that night but I chose to let him heal from what he was going through that night.He stood up
LUCAS POVThis is surely a day of pain and heartbreak, I don't know how to escape it. Playing strong was the best idea until Charles died; how was I going to fix it?I have put him in many risks, and now he is finally gone; I can't even explain what happened."More drink, please; I don't want to ask for these things again. They should be here." I ordered the maid that walked to and fro.I couldn't go back to my father's house. That was a big load for me, I don't know how I was going to explain anything to them.Especially my dad. He would want to beat the shit out of me, he can't do it but his actions would change."Here Sir." I felt tipsy and began to imagine things that would properly never happen in this life."Someone is here to see you, sir..." One of the securities came to inform Me.Before I could think of a response to give to him, Claire came in.My eyes widened and it looked like I just saw my problem standing right in front of me.She acted as she has always been acting, i
CLAIRE'S POVThe news left me in great shock, I couldn't get over it. My head was stuck with going to check on him and know how he was doing.I don't know how he was going to react seeing me, that is something else that kept me away from going there.It's a new day, and all through the night, I have been thinking about Lucas and the things he just lost.“Get my bathtub ready. I will need to go out soon.” I instructed the maid immediately after I got out of my room.“Mom? Where are you going?” So bad of me not to know that he was there.Now I have to find a perfect lie to say to him.“That's not the greetings I expected from you, Brian.” I squat to his level.“Sorry about that mom, good morning. But I still want to know where you ought to leave me?” He looked sorry for a second, and the next minute, he was so concerned about something else.“I am an adult and I can go anywhere I wish. Just don't get worried, I'll be back home before you know it.” I faked a smile.“Mom…you promise to ta
CLAIRE'S POVI couldn't stop panicking until I got to the office. Even when I got there I still had this fear hovering around me.Chloe was my nightmare, she would literally torture me anytime she got the chance. I am so mindful of the way I do things, Lucas is mad at me and there's no hope that he would want to go through any stress for me again.“Good morning ma'am.” A worker greeted me.I was supposed to answer that but I suddenly remembered what Chloe said about the workers in my Company. I don't know who to trust and who not to. My head was scattered and so fucking noisy that I thought of running away and nothing else.*"Come on, why are you acting so surprised? No one around you is to be trusted.”*The words came lurking in my head. It felt like I was trapped in that sentence.“I need to fucking breathe.” I rushed to the office.Mirabel was trying to comply with the documents and other papers I had no idea about.“Good morning ma'am.” She greeted me without lifting her head up.