True Heiress Returns to Her Unemployed Rich Family (Arabella) novel Chapter 672

"What's wrong?" Arabella paused, looking slightly confused.

Matthew offered a gentle smile. "Your hair was a bit messy."

That smile was so soft and unexpectedly dazzling that Arabella could only stare back at him, momentarily speechless.

Not far away, Lucas watched the scene unfold, a bitter ache tightening in his chest. The grand prize voucher he'd been clutching was now crumpled in his hand, dampened by his own grip.

He had imagined running over to her, excited to share the news, even thought about handing her the winning ticket himself. But reality, as always, cut deep.

He had seen it with his own eyes—how she stepped in to shield Matthew. The worry and tension on her face... he'd never seen her react that way for anyone else.

Now the two of them were standing there facing each other, sharing a sweet, intimate moment, smiling and touching like they were in their own world.

"This hurts..." Lucas muttered, pressing a hand to his chest. It really did hurt.

He thought he'd gotten past the rejection. But watching her care for someone else like this... it was too much to take.

"Hey, Grumpy, what're you zoning out for—" Brielle wandered over and followed his gaze. "Whoa, what's going on?"

She blinked, not quite believing what she was seeing. "Matthew can actually look that... gentle?"

"Grumpy, pinch me. Am I dreaming?" Brielle whispered, genuinely stunned.

"Here." Lucas shoved the wrinkled prize voucher into Brielle's hand, then turned and walked away, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

He needed to get out of here—somewhere far from this scene, somewhere he could just breathe.

"Hey, wait! Where're you going?" Brielle called after him, completely lost.

"Nowhere," Lucas mumbled without looking back, his voice heavy.

Brielle caught up and grabbed his arm. "Hold up, don't just storm off all mad. At least give Arabella a chance to explain. Maybe it's just a misunderstanding?"

"Misunderstanding what?" Lucas let out a short, humorless laugh. He'd seen it himself. There was no misreading that.

"No, seriously," Brielle insisted. "Arabella isn't the type to two-time anyone. You gotta hear her out."

It wasn't really about sparing Lucas' feelings—she just couldn't let Arabella get a reputation like that for no reason.

"Hah," Lucas laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "Brielle, what're you even talking about?"

"Huh?" Brielle looked confused. "I'm just saying she's not like that..."

Wait, was she missing something here?

No way. She refused to believe it.

"Two-timing," Lucas repeated with a self-mocking smile. "Too bad I was never even in the picture to begin with."

"See, I knew Arabella wouldn't—" Brielle started, then finally registered his words. "Wait... what did you just say?"

"Never mind. Just leave me alone." Lucas shook off her grip and strode away, faster this time.

Watching him stumble off, Brielle's mind spun—or maybe it just crashed completely.

"What does that mean?

"He's not her boyfriend?

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