Lucas cupped her cheeks gently in his palms, using his thumbs to wipe her tears. “Killian told me what happened.”“I'm the most horrible person.” Heidi sobbed. “What if I hadn't asked you to convince Killian to marry one of my cousins?”“So what if you did?” Lucas murmured, his tone dripping with sadness. “I was the only one who could fulfill your wish at that time.”“My wish was a selfish one…” Heidi looked down. “If only I knew that Killian and Isla were together.” She sighed. “What if I knew things would turn out like this?”“What if fate had it that things would turn out this way?” Lucas answered. “Stop blaming yourself, Heidi.”He hugged her again. “Things were bound to happen this way.”For several minutes, Heidi remained in his embrace, reveling in the warmth and comfort it brought to her heart.It took a while before she came to terms with this monumental mistake. Finally, she shifted. Lucas looked relieved to find out she'd stopped crying.“You'll find a better assistant, H
Tracy's appearance affected the atmosphere in the office. Accompanying the deafening silence was the dark tension that hung in the air. The man sitting beside Heidi seemed to be emanating a chilling aura as the air around her froze. Taken aback at first, Heidi couldn't utter a word, and when she returned to her senses, she couldn't believe her eyes. Tracy's bump was a lot bigger than hers as if she'd give birth to quadruplets. “Uhm, why do you look so shocked, Heidi?” Tracy went on, a sweet smile plastered on her face. “Surprised to see me, huh?”“What brought you here?” Lucas's icy voice cut through the tension, rage swirling in his eyes.As if unfazed, Tracy continued smiling. “Relax, Lucas… I'm not here to see you.” Her gentle gaze fell on Heidi. “I have come to visit Heidi and also to congratulate her.”Ironically, Tracy had said the opposite words while outside bantering with her secretary.The secretary barged inside, her pupils constricted, her eyes full of fear and anxiety
Tracy's smile went away. She didn't look sad, though. In fact, she appeared angry with the man.“I'm not here to make a scene, so I'll quietly leave, Lucas…” She spoke in an offended tone. “The whole world now knows you and Heidi love each other, and I'm the third wheel. There's no need to treat me harshly.”“Will you get out or not?”“Sadly.” She replied. “Although I want to spend some time with Heidi. No problem, Heidi doesn't seem comfortable with me around.”Tracy turned for the door, ready to leave. Heidi had been listening and watching in awe while Tracy gave her heartfelt speech. As Tracy was about to leave, she snapped out of her reverie. “Hey, come back.”“Huh?” Tracy spun around, her eyes brightening. Heidi pointed at the shopping bag. “You forgot something.”Of course, Tracy had dropped the bag on the couch beside Heidi while she was giving that strange speech. The gloom made its way back to Tracy's eyes. She picked up the bag. “Oh, I guess you don't like it.”“No thanks
~Despite Lucas's assurance and the hours he took explaining the situation to Heidi in her office, the pool of her heart had already been muddied by Tracy's appearance. She couldn't indulge in the reassurance when Tracy had just reminded her of her uncertainties.But between Tracy and Lucas, who should she have more faith in?“It's the truth, Heidi… Don't think much about it.”With a calm expression on his face, Lucas looked unbothered as he drove her back home that evening, something that didn't settle well with Heidi even though he'd managed to convince her to dismiss the driver,Even though he'd assured her that he would only drop her at the gates. Why shouldn't Heidi think much about it? What if her baby turned out to be siblings with Tracy's child?“People make mistakes…” Lucas went on. “I would never make such an erroneous mistake, however. I didn't believe it from the start.”One hand left the steering wheel. He interlocked their fingers, stroking her hand. “Please believe m
Did Heidi hear wrong or was that Grandpa Jeffery's voice?Goosebumps ran over her skin, and blood rushed to her cheeks. She jerked away from Lucas, dreading to turn around and confirm her suspicion. It was true that Heidi hadn't heard wrong, otherwise why would Lucas express the same reaction as her?As he had a full view of the window behind her, his eyes literary widened before he looked down and face-palmed himself, cursing under his breath. 'Shit! We're in trouble.’Heidi didn't hear him say the words, but she could read them from his lips.Embarrassment washed over her as someone tapped on the window behind her. “You're not done devouring each other yet, do you want me to break down the window?”Surely, that was Grandpa Jeffery's voice. Heidi shut her eyes, wishing the ground would open up. Her cheeks ached as she tried to put on her best smile. Spinning around, she faced Grandpa Jeffery who was peering through the car's window. Damnit! The glasses weren't tinted. Heidi al
Heidi only saw them once, and it had been quite long, but she'd never mistake the faces of Tracy's parents. Especially Tracy's grandfather whose stern face was forever engraved in her senses. Not only them, but her Mum and Dad were inside the living room too. With Grandpa Jeffery sitting on his king-sized chair, the others occupied two of the couches opposite each other. Lucas's hold on her hand tightened. Not only was he surprised, Heidi could also feel anger emanating from him. “Why are you just standing? Come have a sit,” Grandpa Jeffery ordered, gesturing to the empty couch. Heidi sat beside Lucas. When Lucas acknowledged her parents, the couple looked anything but enthusiastic. Her mother's wary gaze was on Tracy's grandfather, and her father looked anxious, tapping his feet on the floor. “Dad, we are complete. What announcement did you want to make?”Grandpa Jeffery squinted. “Why are you in a rush, Caleb? But we're not yet complete.”Slow footsteps echoed against the t
Since Tracy's family was adamant on not letting go of Lucas, Grandpa Jeffery came to that decision,A decision that made Heidi have second thoughts. Staring down at her lap, she fiddled with her hands, not minding that Lucas's hand was still intertwined with hers,Without caring that the others would notice it as an intimate gesture between them. “Do you all agree with my judgment?” Grandpa Jeffery's voice boomed inside the room. Regina stood up. “But Dad, Heidi's child has the right to be with its father. And what if the Carlsons’ granddaughter is not carrying Lucas Harrison's child?”“He will be free to have Heidi.” Grandpa Jeffery shrugged and stood up with the support of his cane. “If anyone has no qualms with this, you may now leave me alone.”Tracy's family got up. Lucas stood up too with Heidi. As Grandpa Jeffery retreated upstairs, guided by the Butler, a staring battle commenced,Not between Heidi and Tracy, or Lucas, but between her parents and Tracy's parents.“This is
Heidi stilled, stunned and confused. As Lilian pleaded, tears rushing from her eyes, snorts running freely, she rubbed her ear. Was she hearing right?“Stop staring at me like that.” Lilian cried harder. “Heidi, you're the only person who can help me out. Didn't Killian say that you made Lucas Harrison order him to marry me?”As Lilian grabbed her arm desperately, Heidi pulled away. “That's right. But no one ordered Killian to choose you. He did it on his own.”“Really?” Lilian froze. Her shoulders trembling, she wiped her tears. “It means Killian loves me. You just need to beg him to come back, why else would he choose me over Natalie?”Heidi had no idea. She shrugged. “Seriously, I can't help you. Killian holds the right to his own decisions.”She made to walk upstairs, but Lilian stopped her. “I know we don't get along, Heidi…” she blocked Heidi's path, spreading her arms wide. “But I promise you I've turned a new leaf. I was mean to you in the past, I'll change, Heidi, just hel