The CEO's Rejected Wife And Secret Heir novel Chapter 74

Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Lucas Confrontation

Aria POV

I stepped into the hallway and froze. It wasn’t Damien. Instead, Lucas Hayes stood in my entryway, holding a bouquet of flowers, his warm smile in place.

"Lucas?" I moved toward the stairs but didn’t descend. "What are you doing here?"

"I saw the news." He held up the flowers. "Thought you might need a friend."

"How did you get in? There’s security."

"I told them I was your business partner. They let me through." He climbed a few steps. "Aria, are you okay? Marcus Blackwood’s claims sound serious."

"They’re lies." I backed up, suddenly uneasy. "Lucas, this really isn’t a good time."

"I know." He kept climbing. "But I couldn’t leave you alone. Not when you’re going through this."

The smell of the flowers hit me then. Roses. Too many of them, too strong. The scent made my stomach turn. I could hear his shoes on the hardwood stairs.

"I’m not alone. Damien is."

"Damien is the reason you’re in danger." Lucas reached the landing. "Aria, I’ve been trying to tell you, that man is toxic. He’ll destroy you just like he destroyed his own brother."

"You don’t understand."

"I understand perfectly." He set the flowers on the hallway table.

The thud of the bouquet against the wood was too loud in the quiet house. I could see the water dripping from the stems, leaving a wet ring on the polished surface. Lucas had taken off his coat at some point. His shirt sleeves were rolled up. I noticed his hands were clenched into fists, then relaxed, then clenched again.

"I understand that you deserve better. That Noah deserves better. And I’m offering you a way out."

"A way out?" I took another step back.

My heel caught on the edge of the hallway runner. I stumbled but caught myself on the wall. The paint was cool under my palm. I could feel my heart beating hard in my chest, that uncomfortable flutter that meant something was wrong.

"Come to Singapore with me. My company is expanding there. I can offer you a position, set you up in a penthouse, make sure you and Noah are safe." He moved closer. "You don’t need Damien Blackwood, you never did."

His voice had changed. The friendly tone was gone, now he sounded like he was reading from a script he’d practiced over and over. The words came out too smooth, too rehearsed.

"Lucas, that’s very generous, but"

"But you still love him." His smile turned bitter. "Even after everything he did to you, even knowing he’s a monster."

"He’s not a monster."

"He threw you out when you were pregnant!" Lucas’s voice rose. "He called your child a mistake! And you’re defending him?"

The sudden volume made me flinch. I could see a vein pulsing in Lucas’s temple. His face was flushed, red creeping up from his collar. He took another step forward. I could smell his cologne now, mixing with the roses. It was too much.

"Because people change!" I snapped back. "Because he’s trying, Lucas. Really trying to be better."

"For how long?" Lucas grabbed my arm.

His fingers dug into my bicep. I could feel each one, pressing hard enough to hurt. His palm was hot and damp with sweat. The grip was solid, unyielding. I tried to twist away but he held on tighter.

"Until the next crisis? Until he gets bored? Aria, you can’t trust him."

"Let go of me." I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened.

Pain shot up my arm. I could feel my pulse hammering where his thumb pressed against the soft flesh of my inner arm. His breathing was fast and shallow. His eyes were wide, pupils dilated. This wasn’t the calm, collected Lucas I knew this was someone else.

"Come with me." His eyes were intense now, almost desperate. "Please. I can give you everything he can’t. Stability, safety, loyalty."

His other hand came up. For a second I thought he was going to grab my other arm, trap me completely. Instead, his fingers brushed my cheek. The touch was light but it made my skin crawl. I jerked my head back.

"I said let go!"

The slap came before I could think. My palm connected with his cheek hard enough to snap his head to the side.

The sound echoed in the hallway. My hand stung from the impact. I could see the red mark already forming on his face, the perfect outline of my fingers against his skin.

My breathing came in short, ragged bursts. I could hear it as adereline flooded my system, making everything too bright. My legs felt weak, shaky, like they might give out at any moment. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The ringing in my ears was so loud I almost missed what Lucas said next. My other hand, I realized, was clenched into a fist so tight my nails were digging into my palm. My whole body was trembling now, the shock of what I’d just done hitting me all at once.

He released me immediately, stumbling back. "Aria"

I could still feel where he’d grabbed me. The skin was hot and tender. I rubbed at it with my other hand, trying to erase the feeling of his fingers.

"Get out." My voice shook. "Get out of my house. Now."

"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean"

"OUT!"

He held up his hands and backed toward the stairs. "Fine. I’m leaving. But Aria—when Damien disappoints you again, and he will, don’t come crying to me."

He disappeared down the stairs. I heard the front door open and close.

I sank against the wall, shaking. What the hell was that? My phone rang. It was Damien.

"Are you okay?" His voice was tight. "Security just reported Lucas Hayes entered the house."

"I’m fine. He’s gone now."

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