…What better way to worsen the mood than by adding a touch of a downpour?As Lucas stood at the entrance of the large canopy that occupied the space of the mansion, gloom weighed heavily on his heart. Despite the heavy rain, almost all the inhabitants of Phoenix City showed up. His eyes scanned the crowd, peering at the faces hidden underneath the shades of the umbrellas.Struggling to find that familiar face, his impatience grew slowly and uncertainty clung to his heart.Heidi would never turn down an invitation to Grandpa's funeral,However, what if she didn't show up?Eyes fixed on the large gates of the cemetery, he didn't move from his spot, anticipating her entrance.“Young Master, almost all the guests are here,” the bodyguard holding his umbrella said to him. “It's time for the ceremony.”Someone was crying loudly in the background; the sound irritated Lucas. If only Stella and Blake had lived up to their promises of not showing up. But then, when they heard that the media
One moment, Lucas was standing at the entrance, under the umbrella,And the next moment, he was out in the rain striding towards the large gates. As if sensing his presence, she looked away from the Old Man and faced him, a complicated look flashing in her eyes. “Lucas-”“Heidi, you're here.” Disregarding everyone else and all the watchful gazes, Lucas wanted to hug her, but a deep voice halted him-“Don't even think about it!”He looked at the Old Man, now recognizing him as Heidi's grandfather. Lucas collected himself. “My apologies, Grandpa…” He apologized and then greeted the Old Man and Heidi's parents. The couple answered him in a not so enthusiastic voice. Her father looked mad, in fact.And the man's anger must be directed towards Lucas because he looked as if he'd been forced to come.Lucas escorted them towards the large canopy, snatching Heidi's umbrella from the bodyguard walking beside her and holding it for her instead.“I almost lost hope you'd come,” He held her ha
…At Phoenix City's First Hospital.Waking up on the hospital bed was the last thing Heidi expected. Things happened so fast that she couldn't believe it happened.How did she end up fainting?She'd prepared the speech and everything was perfect,But then, her emotions overpowered her… Even so, she shouldn't have fainted. “Oh my gosh! Thank goodness you're finally up,” her mother's voice exclaimed in the background. “How do you feel now, Heidi?” Came her father's voice. She could feel him holding her hand.Glancing sideways at the couple, Heidi's eyes accessed the other corners of the ward without knowing what exactly she was looking for. “Mum, Dad…” She sat up with the help of her parents. “The funeral… where's Grandpa?”“The funeral has long ended…” Regina replied. “See, the sun has gone down.” She walked to the window and pulled the curtains apart. The funeral had ended. No way…Heidi's heart dropped to her stomach. Her hand wandered to her chest, feeling the slight ache in it
The same look of confusion on her parents' faces as they left the ward was cascaded over Lucas's face as well.Thank goodness they didn't refuse her request or ask her questions because Heidi couldn't provide any answers. She didn't know what she was doing. “What's it that you want to speak about, Heidi…” Lucas sat beside her, his confusion replaced by the joy that glinted in his eyes. “I'm listening.”Heidi looked down, searching inside her heart for the anger and hate she'd been feeling for the past few days. Why was it that she couldn't feel any of them?What was with the slight feeling of remorse and heartache?She dared to stare into his eyes and she regretted it instantly. Heidi averted her gaze from his once more. “Time is running…” Lucas urged her on. “One minute will be up soon.”And once the minute was over, her parents might come barging in to send him out. “Did you give the speech?”Lucas nodded, his eyes filled with regret. “I shouldn't have asked you to do it. I'm so
Regina rolled her eyes and Caleb clicked his tongue.“Shouldn’t you thank us instead?” “We know what's going on, Heidi…”“Besides, isn't this the best way to save our heads from the media?”Heidi understood none of their words, especially the last one. “The media? What do you mean by the media?”“We just found out that every news channel in Phoenix City is speaking about you two.” Bringing out his phone, her father waved the screen in front of her. “And the netizens are shipping you two together.”Did Lucas bribe the netizens?Heidi took the phone from her father's hands and scrolled down the comment section under the post a gossip media uploaded with pictures of her and Lucas at the funeral.Every moment and every tiny affectionate gesture by him was captured.Who were they kidding? Lucas must have tipped off the paparazzi to do that. “Besides, Jason is a bastard,’’ her mother groaned. “I can't believe your grandfather agreed to matchmaking you guys.”“By the way, didn't you just
A deafening silence descended upon the living room instantly, everyone quieted down at once, a look of shock and horror registered on their faces. Heidi's eyes snapped to the guy, and seeing the seriousness in his eyes, her heart sank.“Son-in-law, what did you just say?” Beatrice snapped out of the shock faster than the others. She chuckled, her smile a mix of nervousness and uncertainty. “You don't mean it…”Killian let out a frustrated air. “I mean what I said, okay? I'm not doing this marriage anymore.”Blood drained from Lilian's face as well as the other family members. “Honey-”“That's enough…” Killian raised his hand, halting her words. “People marry to find happiness, right? I can't set myself up for hell when it's not even my time yet.”“You're joking.”“Call it what you may…” Killian shrugged. “But Lilian, this is the end of our marriage.”Hearing his last words broke Heidi out of her reverie. She glanced at her parents who looked shocked also. Harold frowned deeply. “Are
Heidi saw no reason in denying it. She nodded to her father's question and explained how it happened. “While I was in Lucas's home, I saw the news that Grandpa was hospitalized. When I visited, I overheard the conversation…” She paused, staring at her parents, her mood dampening and guilt engulfing her heart. “I thought it was the best way to save the family's reputation.”Lucas had been against it that night. He thought it was a crazy idea, but she hadn't listened. “And you made that poor man suffer in the hands of Lilian?” Caleb reprimanded. “The idea of love and marriage isn't supposed to be taken lightly, Heidi. Do you think it will be pleasing to your grandfather once he hears about this?”Now that Killian had exposed the secret, everyone would definitely hear about it. The last person she wanted to know of the news was her grandfather. “Mum, Dad, I'm sorry… Can you guys please not tell him?” “We're not gonna tell him, but others might…” Regina sat down. “If Harold's famil
“That's a horrible thing to say! Who says my marriage has ended? Killian just went out, he will return!” She cried. “Won't you pity my condition instead of rubbing it on my face?”Grandpa Jeffery shook his head. “I shouldn't have allowed Harold to raise you. See what he has made you, aren't you guilty of bringing shame to this family?”Lilian sat down, wiping her tears. “Whatever… you'll take back your words, Grandpa, once Killian returns and apologizes to me.”Heidi picked up her food tray and left for the stairs instead of the large doors. Jason was about to follow her and she paused. “This is bad timing. It's never gonna work.”“It has been many years, Heidi. You spoke the same words…” He held his forehead. “Don't tell me you're still obsessed with that man.”“I only want friendship from you.”“Our friendship ended right from the time our parents spoke about our marriage…” He leaned against the stair's railings. “Now I have a second chance-”“Not really.” Heidi shook her head. “Bu