Claimed by the Crown Heir novel Chapter 84

Lucas's pupils violently contracted.

How could he not feel guilty and hollow inside?

It was precisely because of that guilt that he had tried so desperately to treat her well every time he came back.

Luxury goods, jewelry, cash, shares... he threw every material possession at her, desperately trying to atone for his sins.

But in the end, she had still caught him red-handed.

His voice was hoarse and strained. "Whether you believe it or not, from beginning to end, my heart has only ever loved you."

"I'm old, you're bored of me, and you felt I was pressuring you into marriage. Those were your exact words, Lucas." Vanessa let out a soft, chilling laugh that didn't reach her eyes. "I may not be as young as those eighteen-year-old girls, but my memory hasn't faded so much that I'd just forget!"

A flash of deep remorse crossed Lucas's eyes as he frantically tried to backtrack. "That was just a stupid joke! I never actually felt that way."

"Vanessa, put yourself in my shoes. What man could endure that kind of loneliness and never touch a woman for the rest of his life?"

"Once Chloe gives birth, I'll pay her off and send her away for good. After that, it'll just be you, me, and the baby living a good life together."

"Didn't you always say your biggest dream was for us to build a happy family of three?"

"Now that it's all finally happening, how can you just walk away?"

Vanessa looked at him as if he had just told the most absurd joke in the world, a low laugh escaping her lips, entirely laced with sorrow and disgust.

"The family I wanted was clean and devoted. Not you sleeping around and bringing another woman's child home to placate me. You make me feel absolutely filthy!"

She shoved him hard, breaking his grip on her shoulders, and took a step back to put distance between them.

"I haven't gone back on my word. You were the one who destroyed every expectation I ever had."

"You've already failed me. Don't fail the woman who loves you and is carrying your child."

With that, she turned to leave.

"Vanessa!"

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify