Chapter 105 Greetings

Chapter 105 Greetings

Lucas's POV

The tips of Chloe's ears burned crimson. She kept her head down. She refused to meet my eyes. I wasn't doing much better—my usual composure had completely deserted me.

I set the cream of mushroom soup on the nightstand. I pulled a chair over. I sat in front of her. "Have some soup first," I said quietly.

She murmured a soft acknowledgment. She reached for the bowl. Her fingertips grazed the rim, then froze. As if summoning every ounce of courage she had, she finally looked up at me. "Lucas."

"Yeah?" I met her gaze.

She bit her lower lip gently. Her voice was hesitant. "Last night…"

I didn't let her torture herself any longer. "What happened last night—I'll take responsibility for it."

Chloe's eyes went wide with shock.

I quickly added, my tone serious and deliberate, "Chloe, I mean it."

After a brief pause, I asked carefully, "But I need to know something. Was last night just… drunken impulse? If you regret it, I won't push you. I promise."

She studied me for a long moment. Then she slowly set down the bowl. Her voice was steady. "It wasn't impulse."

As if a dam had broken inside her, she let the words spill out. "I've had feelings for you all along."

I couldn't hold back anymore. I stood. I crossed to the bed. I pulled her into my arms. I lowered my head and kissed her.

In that moment, I was certain—nothing and no one would ever come between us again. From now on, I would stand by her side and protect her.

---

An hour later, we'd packed everything and loaded it into the trunk.

Theodosia stood on the cabin's porch. Her face was full of reluctance. "You're really not staying a few more days? I was planning to bake an apple pie tonight."

Chloe stepped forward and hugged her. "Thank you so much, ma'am. I'll come visit you again."

The old woman patted her back gently. Then she turned to give me a long, meaningful look. "Young man, take good care of this girl."

I nodded firmly. "I will. I promise."

---

The route down the mountain passed the hot springs inn. I'd planned to take a detour to avoid running into Owen. But we ran straight into him at the entrance.

He looked like he hadn't slept all night—his eyes were bloodshot. When he saw Chloe's hand clasped tightly in mine, he stopped dead. His face went ashen. "What the hell are you two doing?"

Owen stared at Chloe. His voice was laced with bitterness and accusation. "Chloe, give me an explanation."

Chloe's tone was flat. Emotionless. "I don't owe an explanation to someone who cheated on me."

"Cheated?" Owen let out a bitter laugh. "You're calling me a cheater? What about you? You turned around and got with someone else—my uncle, Chloe. How are you any better than me?"

Chloe's expression darkened. I immediately stepped forward. I positioned myself firmly between them. My voice was ice-cold. "You have no right to talk to her like that."

Owen glared at me. His jaw was tight. "This is between me and her. Stay out of it."

"You're wrong." My gaze hardened. "The moment you started neglecting her, humiliating her, leaving her to shoulder everything alone—you forfeited the right to be her partner."

I glanced back at Chloe. My chest tightened with sympathy for her. Then I continued. "You doubted her. You dismissed her. So don't be surprised when someone else steps up to love her and cherish her the way she deserves."

Owen froze.

I didn't stop. "Her choosing a fresh start has nothing to do with her being unfaithful. It's you. You destroyed what you had with her—with your own hands."

Owen's breathing grew ragged. His fists clenched. His eyes flashed with rage. "Uncle, are you seriously going to compete with me for her?"

"I'm not competing." My voice was calm but resolute. "You lost her. All on your own."

Chloe tugged gently on my hand. Her voice was weary. "Lucas, let's go."

I turned to her. She looked exhausted. But her eyes were clear and resolute.

I nodded. I squeezed her hand. I led her toward the car.

Owen stood rooted to the spot. Then he shouted after us, his voice raw. "Chloe, you're going to regret this!"

Chloe didn't look back. I opened the passenger door for her. She slid into the seat. Her long hair spilled over her shoulder. The quiet grace of it made my chest ache.

I shut the door and walked around to the driver's side.

Before starting the engine, I glanced back at the inn. Owen was still standing there. Rigid. Stella had appeared on the steps. Her face was cold as she stared at him.

I looked away. I pressed the gas pedal. I drove off.

---

Chloe was quiet the entire ride back. By the time we pulled up to her house, dusk was settling in.

The moment Chloe stepped out of the car, the front door swung open. Saskia hurried out first. Her face was full of surprise. "Sweetheart? Why are you back so early?"

Desmond followed, newspaper in hand. He was equally puzzled. "Wasn't your trip supposed to last three more days?"

He frowned slightly. He glanced behind us. "Where's Owen?"

The air went still. Chloe stood on the steps, bag in hand. The color drained from her face.

Saskia immediately sensed something was wrong. She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around her. "Honey, what happened?"

Chloe's voice was barely above a whisper. Tinged with exhaustion. "I'm just… really tired."

Desmond's expression darkened instantly. "Did you and Owen have a fight?"

She didn't deny it. She just nodded.

"Did that punk do something to you?" Desmond's anger flared.

Chloe closed her eyes briefly. "Dad, I don't want to talk about it right now."

"Okay, okay. We won't." Saskia quickly soothed her. She guided her inside. "Let's get you inside and sitting down."

She settled Chloe on the living room couch. She poured her a glass of water.

Desmond stood there. He was barely containing his fury. He turned to me. "Lucas, tell me. What the hell happened?"

I glanced at Chloe. She was sitting on the couch with the glass cradled in her hands. Exhaustion radiated from her. She'd been holding herself together this whole time.

I crouched down in front of her. My voice was gentle. "You rest. I'll talk to your parents."

She looked up at me. She nodded softly.

I stood and gestured toward the Joneses. "Let's talk in the dining room."

Desmond followed immediately. Saskia glanced back at Chloe with a quiet word of reassurance. Then she hurried into the dining room. She slid the door shut behind us.

The moment the door closed, Desmond spoke. His voice was low and tense. "Talk."

I didn't hold anything back. I told them everything that had happened at the hot springs inn. From start to finish.

With every sentence, Desmond's face grew darker. By the time I finished, he was livid. He crumpled the newspaper in his fist. He slammed it onto the table. "That bastard!"

Saskia's eyes welled up. She covered her mouth. Her voice broke. "Oh my God. All of that happened, and Chloe didn't say a word to us."

"She's always been like this," Desmond said through gritted teeth. "She carries everything on her own. Never wants us to worry."

He paced the dining room. Fury radiated off him. "Cheating, lying, emotionally abusing her, letting her take all the blame—I was completely wrong about that kid!"

Without another word, he pulled out his phone and made a call. When it connected, Selwyn's voice came through. "Hey, buddy. What's going on? Calling this late?"

Desmond's tone was glacial. "You and Luna need to bring Owen to my house. Right now."

There was a pause on the other end. "What happened?"

"Your son did something extremely out of line. I need to hear his explanation face-to-face." Desmond glanced at me. His anger was undiminished.

Silence fell on the other end. Then Luna's panicked voice broke through. "Did something happen to Chloe?"

Saskia took the phone. She struggled to keep her voice steady. Her anger seeped through. "She's home. She's exhausted and heartbroken. Luna, you two need to get over here. And before you do, ask Owen what the hell he's been doing behind everyone's backs."

Another long silence. Then Selwyn's voice came back. Heavy and grim. "We'll be right there."