Claire's POVI practically floated into Nova Designs, my heart still soaring from the perfect morning with my boys. My fiancé and my son. God, I loved the sound of that.Grinning like a fool, I breezed past the reception desk with a wave, too giddy to stop for my usual morning chitchat. I had a feeling my face said it all anyway - I'd caught my reflection in the car window and I was lit up like Times Square on New Year's Eve.The delirious joy lasted all the way to my office...until I pushed open the door and found Anna already at my desk, meticulously sorting files and clearing the surface. She glanced up as I entered, surprise flickering across her face."Good morning, Anna," I said, trying for nonchalance as I hung my purse on the back of my chair."Ms. blakes! You're here early." Her brow furrowed, a sly smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "And you look...different. Good different."I bit my lip, feeling a telltale flush creep up my neck. "Lucas just dropped me off, actuall
Claire's POVI was elbow-deep in fabric swatches and paint chips when my phone buzzed for the umpteenth time that morning. Biting back a giddy grin, I glanced at the screen, already knowing who it would be.Lucas. Of course."Hey there, handsome," I answered, cradling the phone between my ear and shoulder as I continued to rifle through samples. "Miss me already?"His warm chuckle sent shivers down my spine. "Always. Just wanted to make sure you weren't working too hard. I know how you get when you're in the zone."I snorted, even as my heart fluttered at his thoughtfulness. "Lucas, it's barely been three hours since you dropped me off. I think I can manage a morning without you.""Are you sure about that? Because I seem to recall a certain someone clinging pretty tightly to me in the car earlier..."I could hear the smirk in his voice. Laughing, I abandoned my swatches and leaned back in my chair, already picturing his face. "Can you blame me? I'm marrying the most gorgeous, attentiv
Lucas's POVI couldn't wipe the grin off my face as I hung up with Claire, her sleepy, happy voice still echoing in my ears. God, I loved that woman. Loved knowing I could bring a smile to her face, even from across town."Jason!" I called, already reaching for my phone. "Get in here. I need you."He appeared in the doorway a second later, ever-present tablet in hand. "What's up, boss?""I need you to place an order for me. Top priority." I rattled off a list, my mind whirring. "A dozen sunflowers, the biggest basket of fresh fruit and cheese you can find, and throw in some of those fancy French pastries from that bakery Claire loves. Oh, and a few slices of that almond cake she made this morning, if they can swing it."Jason's eyebrows shot up, but to his credit, he didn't comment. Just nodded and tapped away at his screen. "Got it. Anything else?"I hesitated, then figured what the hell. In for a penny... "See if they can add a bottle of that raspberry champagne. The really good stu
Lucas's POVI couldn't shake the uneasy feeling as I drove away from Nova Designs, Eddie Spencer's smirking face haunting my thoughts. Something about that guy set my teeth on edge, despite his alleged history with Claire.Or maybe because of it."Keep an eye on him," I muttered to Jason as I slid behind the wheel. "I don't like the vibe I'm getting."Jason, to his credit, didn't even blink. Just nodded and tapped something into his ever-present tablet. "You got it, boss. I'll have a full workup on your desk by morning."I flashed him a grateful look, already peeling out of the parking lot. I didn't like leaving Claire alone with Spencer, but I trusted her judgment. And more importantly, I trusted her.Still, the sooner I could put some distance between them, the better I'd feel.The drive home was a blur, my mind too caught up in worst-case scenarios to focus on the road. By the time I pulled into my driveway, my head was pounding and my jaw ached from clenching.All I wanted was a h
Claire's POVAs I watched Lucas leave my office, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The way he frowned, the tense set of his shoulders...was he jealous of Eddie? I shook my head, trying to push the thought aside. Lucas trusted me. He knew how much I loved him. There was no reason for him to feel threatened.Right?Sighing, I gathered up my files and headed for the conference room, determined to focus on the task at hand. But even as I arranged my notes and samples, my mind kept drifting back to Lucas's pinched expression.The sound of the door opening jolted me out of my musings. I looked up, pasting on a bright smile as Eddie Spencer strolled in, all easy confidence and megawatt charm."Claire Blakes ," he drawled, crossing the room to pull me into a hug. "As I live and breathe. You haven't aged a day, you know that?"I laughed, returning his embrace. "Eddie Spencer, silver-tongued devil. You always were a smooth talker."He grinned as he pulled back, holding me at
Claire's POVThe drive back from Brian's school was unusually quiet, the weight of his earlier question hanging heavy in the air between us. I glanced at him in the rearview mirror, my heart clenching at the troubled furrow of his brow, the way he stared listlessly out the window."Sweetheart," I began, choosing my words carefully. "About what you asked earlier..."Brian's gaze snapped to mine, something painfully vulnerable in his eyes. "It's okay, Mom. You don't have to tell me. I know it's hard for you to talk about him."Oh, my sweet boy. So young, but already so perceptive. So attuned to the ache in my heart, the scars I tried so hard to hide."No, baby. You deserve to know the truth." I took a deep breath, quelling the tremor in my voice. "Your dad...he wasn't perfect. But he was a good man, at heart. Strong and kind and so full of life."A wistful smile tugged at my lips, the memories of those early days flooding my mind. "He would have loved you so much. Been so crazy proud of
EDDIE’s POV I paced the length of Claire's waiting room, my agitation growing with each passing second. Where the hell was she? How long did it take to pick up a kid from school, for chrissakes?I glanced at my watch for the hundredth time, the numbers blurring together in a haze of frustration. I couldn't do this. Couldn't just sit here, twiddling my thumbs, while the woman who had haunted my dreams for the past five years went about her merry way."I'm sorry, Mr. Spencer," Anna, Claire's annoyingly perky assistant, chirped from behind her desk. "Ms. Blakes should be back any minute now. Can I get you a coffee while you wait?"I waved her off with an impatient grunt, my jaw clenched so tight I could feel my molars grinding together. I didn't want coffee. I wanted answers. I wanted to look into those fathomless blue eyes and demand to know why she had left me, why she had run away without so much as a backward glance.But most of all, I wanted to know about the boy. The one with my c
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 was still in shock, trying to recover from Chloe's looks. Her eyes were worse than that of a killer.When she stared at me I almost fell to the ground. My heart raced for seconds before Lucas gave me a warm hug.I don't know what to do anymore. I was still confused about everything even when Lucas told me to go home.I found myself several times talking about the whole issue.“Wait…” I halted my car and leaned backwards with a sigh.“Am I falling for Lucas again? I mean, I fought this feeling for months, and now, here it is all burning like it's a new love.” I sighed.I started my car recklessly without looking behind.The trailer from behind horned like they were about to fall into the gutter “What is going…. Oh shit!” I was quick enough to put my car to the side.“You piece of shit, watch where you are going.” The passenger shouted through the window.I held my chest from the shock. I hope I don't die before I get back home.I checked my back before moving my vehicle
LUCAS POVThe whole scene wasn't clear to me enough.I needed an explanation for all the shit that was happening. I mean, Dad would just sit there and watch these people lie against me.It is a new day and I expect everyone in the house to forget about everything that happened. I don't see myself forgetting about it very soon but I wish my parents would forget about it immediately.“I have to get to work.” I sighed.My head is not in a good state to go to work. I had stayed away from work, trying to prove some stupid points to people.My father had been silent since the day that issue was addressed. I know very well that he would talk about that, he just needs time and something to remind him of it.I got up from the bed to the kitchen as tired as I was. I could barely think of something to say to anyone.“Good morning, mom.” I greeted her with a low tone.She snubbed and continued with what she had to do. My strength wasn't enough to greet her twice or ask what the matter was.I assu
CHLOE'S POVMy mom was my savior, but that didn't last for long.I had to defend myself at some point and I had to follow my mother's rules."Let the victim defend herself." When Lucas said that, my heart sank.I was shivering already, the man wasn't frightening but his looks and body movements says it all.I don't know how observant he was but I had to be careful so that he doesn't detect the lie.After the whole shouts and screams and argument. The father came to a conclusion that didn't favour Lucas. He was annoyed at this but his father...? He is the same to everyone including his sons.Lucas didn't give up, he shouted at us and did whatever he wanted but our decision stood firm."Before I leave, this is to remind you that if you don't accept my daughter after being a traitor to her...I will call the police into this case and her father..." My mom scoffed."You wouldn't love to see his madness here." With these words we walked out.I could tell that Lucas was mad. He kept stutte
LUCAS POVIt was a pleasure to see Claire. I mean, I didn't expect to see her, but here she was anyway.She looked like one who had been running a helter-skelter to look for me. Chloe's mother made a threatening Sentence that made her almost lose control. I don't see any reason why she should be Afraid."Go home," I instructed her and I made sure she drove away before I joined them in my house. "Who do we have here?" My mother came out to welcome her supposed daughter."Hold those greetings to yourself." Chloe's mother interrupted.My mom stood there shocked; She was probably trying to process why she would act that way."You might want to have a seat mom," I said to her,I fell on the sofa and took a deep breath. "Mom, where's dad?" I asked while looking around.I found him coming downstairs."What is going on here?" My dad stepped inNow I was certain the so-called meeting should start; at least I have someone who doesn't support them in any way."Chloe came over." Her Mol pulled
CLAIRE'S POVI don't know how things were going with Lucas and that fool. I lost concentration at work, especially when he came to me in the morning and asked where I found her.He was so impatient that before I could get out of my office to meet him he was gone."Ma'am, the files you requested are here." One of the new workers said to me, I just kept staring at the papers without having in mind what I wanted to do with it."Ma'am, we have to leave with this immediately, so please, I would need you to finish with it...." I interrupted her before she finished speaking."Just leave," I said to her,"Ma'am?""Am I stuttering? I said you should leave." I raised my voice at her.I wasn't comfortable with that after some minutes but I didn't have a choice."Shit! What is going on with me?" I hit the table in anger.There was no way I would have to leave the company papers unsigned. Even when I shouted at the lady, I knew that I couldn't deny my work. I still have to do itI began with the
CHLOE'S POVI woke up with a severe headache. My head began to spin, I could barely think. My eyes were heavy, and my visions were blurry. I tried to get up but my pounding headache kept me back on the floor."Argh." I groaned.The pain was unbearable.I was in chains, my hands were tied to my back."What's happening?" I struggled to get myself free and that's when I noticed I was knocked out."What the fuck is happening?" I shouted.It took minutes before I could see clearly, Lucas was standing right in front of me."You are awake scum?" He asked.What the hell was going on? I was pissed hearing that he had to call me that."What....what do you mean by scum?" I asked him, annoyed."Are you done playing with your little whores like you?" He resigned.I didn't even get a clue of why he reigned insults at me. "What are you talking about?" I struggle to sit upright."Can you recall the last place you were?" He asked.He squatted and faced me.I thought about it, so hard to remember wh
LUCAS POVThe message sent a shock to my whole body; I couldn't move for the next few seconds that passed."Chloe?" I found myself repeating the words. I put the phone back into my pocket and looked around. I found my mom staring at me through the window."Your daughter is back, and you have to start praying for her, or you might not see her the same," I muttered and got back into the car. I drove away in anger. At first, I planned to meet Claire, but after getting the massage, I had to change the plans."I hope not to find you anywhere." I gnashed my teeth.This message was sent to me by Claire. It's early morning, and she will probably be heading for work; I hope she arrives there safely.My doubts were too much for me to ignore; I had to call you to find out what was going on."Will she ever pick up?" I threw the phone on the passenger seat.I was close to the company when she finally picked up the call."Finally." I sighed."Hel..." She didn't let me complete the greetings befo
CHLOE'S POVI could not get out of the anger when I saw Lucas and Brian together. I felt like I should kill him off at once, I was fucking annoyed.There was no way I would have Lucas' attention if he was getting close to that brat. "They are getting on my nerves too many times, and I would not hesitate to teach them a lesson that they haven't learnt in a while," I muttered.I hid until they had passed and I watched him drive away. They looked so much like a family."Who knows where the bastard of a child came from?" I scoffed.I got back home, hitting everything that came my way. I could not think straight. I felt my blood pumping so hot like it was going to come out the next minute."I hate you, Lucas," I screamed.I hope my neighbours don't think I'm mad because this was the most unbearable part of it."For all the things I've done, you still don't think about that. You always find your way back to her." I crumbled the can that was in my hands."I should have ended this when I had
CLAIRE'S POVI had a fun time interviewing the girl. She was such a cool and nice girl, to be honest.Just like the first time, whenever she enters I feel strange. Not in a bad way but in a way that I've found someone to help me.I was fond of her already. "She is such a good-looking girl," I said to myself anytime I remember her."Mom, are you leaving for work so soon?" Brian asked me.I was about to say yes, but with the look on his face, I had to say the opposite."No baby. I have to stay back and handle some things." I lowered my height to his level and cupped his cheeks.My son was smiling sheepishly already; he found himself falling for the words I had just said. Of course, I expect him to fall."So, Mom, am I going to be involved in what you have to do?" He bent his face to the ground.I know how emotional he is."Don't feel bad about anything. You are my priority and that's why I am staying back." I didn't mean to say that but he needs to hear it."Are you serious mom?" His