Chapter 115 Forever at Your Side

Chapter 115 Forever at Your Side

Lucas's POV

The moment those words left my mouth, the arms wrapped around me tightened suddenly.

The room was lit only by a bedside lamp. Its soft glow fell across her face. Her eyes were rimmed with red, lashes wet. As if she'd just fought her way out of a long nightmare.

I buried my face against her. I breathed in the faint scent of detergent from her nightgown. It was the only anchor these past few days that made me feel truly alive.

I hadn't stopped thinking about her for a single moment.

Before every mission, I found myself double-checking routes, sniper positions, extraction points. I made sure all backup was in place.

In the past, I never would've bothered with any of that.

The old me would've grabbed my gun and charged in. Always first through the door. No one could stop me. No one could hold me back.

But now it's different. I can't die.

I promised her I'd come back safe.

I told Chloe everything I'd been keeping buried inside. She looked down at me quietly. She never once interrupted.

I reached up to touch her cheek. My fingertips met dampness.

She was crying.

I sat up immediately. I pulled her gently into my arms. "Don't cry."

She didn't say a word. But the tears fell harder.

All I could do was wipe them away. Over and over. I repeated softly, "Baby, I'm here."

"You always do this." Her voice came muffled against my chest. "You carry everything alone. You shoulder it all by yourself."

I tightened my hold. I pulled her closer. "It's over now."

"I've already submitted my retirement paperwork. Just waiting for the captain to sign off."

Chloe froze instantly. Tears still clung to her lashes. Disbelief flooded her eyes. "You're serious?"

"I've never meant anything more in my life."

She stared at me. As if afraid I was just saying it to comfort her. "But you love this job, don't you?"

I let out a low laugh. My voice was still rough. "But I love you more."

Even I fell silent for a moment after saying that.

Five years since joining the force. I'd spent almost all of it consumed by the Black Hound operation.

They'd started as a fraud ring. Gradually infiltrated every dark corner of the city. They did whatever they pleased.

We'd arrested their members. We'd watched witnesses recant. Leads go cold. Partners die.

Last year, Marcus died trying to save me.

I closed my eyes. That wound would never fully heal.

"After Marcus died, I went back to the White mansion to recover." My voice came quiet. "Everyone thought I was just on medical leave. Only I knew that during that time, I wasn't really living at all."

Chloe's hand slid slowly from my chest to my shoulder. It settled there gently.

"Back then, I didn't know how to face my family. Didn't know how to face you." I looked up at her.

"So that's why you were always so harsh with me then, wasn't it?"

"Yes." I admitted it plainly. "I didn't hate you."

Her eyes reddened again.

I pinched her cheek gently. My touch was tender. "I had no idea how to comfort anyone back then. Watching Owen neglect you, watching you make excuses for him even when he hurt you—it made me furious and helpless all at once."

Chloe lowered her gaze. "I was so stupid back then."

"Not stupid." I cut her off immediately. "You were just kind. Too kind. And you wanted so badly to be loved properly."

She bit her lip. She said nothing.

I leaned down. I pressed a soft kiss to her reddened eyes. "Owen just didn't understand."

"You didn't either," she mumbled.

I paused. Then I let out a quiet laugh. "You're right. I didn't either."

I'd only ever known how to apprehend suspects. How to chase down leads.

I didn't know how to catch a girl's tears. How to sit with her through the hardest nights. How to sit in the audience and steady her nerves with just a look when she was anxious at the piano.

Chloe taught me all of that. Bit by bit.

And she showed me that true protection isn't just shielding someone from danger.

"Chloe." I looked at her seriously. "I always thought someone like me didn't deserve a stable life."

She lifted her head. She met my eyes directly.

"I have insomnia. A temper. Occupational hazards everywhere. I scan for exits when I walk into restaurants. I reach for my gun at the slightest sound." I paused, speaking honestly. "Romance isn't my strong suit. I'm not good with words."

She sniffled, countering softly, "You just said a lot of sweet things."

"Those were all the truth."

She blinked. Tears slid down her cheeks again.

I cupped her face in both hands. I spoke earnestly. "I'm choosing to retire—not to give up my life for you."

She started to speak. I pressed my finger gently against her lips. "Let me finish."

"I've finally figured out what kind of life I actually want." My voice came low and steady. "I want to spend the rest of my life protecting you properly."

The words hung in the air. The room fell into a long silence.

The next second, she rolled into my arms. She pressed her face against my chest. Her shoulders shook as she cried.

I held her tightly. I kissed her hair. I murmured softly, "Don't cry anymore, baby."

Her voice came gentle and hoarse. "Lucas, thank you for always being there for me."

I reached over and turned off the bedside lamp. I held her securely in my arms.

Her breathing gradually evened out. Her small hand still gripped my shirt tightly. She refused to let go.

I looked down at the person in my arms for a long time.

That night, I finally slept without waking once.

---

The next afternoon, the doorbell rang while Chloe was still upstairs getting ready.

I got up and opened the door. Lester stood outside.

He'd changed into a clean jacket. His hair was tousled by the wind. He held a file folder in one hand. His smile looked relaxed and easy. "Good afternoon, Mr. White."

I stared at him, my tone flat. "What are you doing here?"

"Hey." Lester raised an eyebrow, feigning injury. "That's harsh. I've been the one looking after your girl these past few days."

I said nothing. I didn't invite him in.

The smile on his face faded slightly. "I brought something for you."

I knew I shouldn't keep him out. These past few days, thanks to him watching over Chloe, she'd gotten through my absence safely. He really had helped me a lot.

But I could also see it clearly. The way he looked at Chloe was too particular. It crossed the boundaries of colleague or friend.

I stepped aside. "Come in."

Lester walked into the living room. His gaze instinctively flicked toward the upstairs bedroom. Then he quickly pulled back.

I closed the door behind him. "She's upstairs getting ready. Are you here to see her?"

He turned to look at me. The smile returned to his face. "Are you actually jealous right now? Honestly, I didn't peg you as the jealous type."

"I thought you'd have better boundaries." My tone was cold.

Lester clicked his tongue. "All right. Looks like you're recovering just fine—you're back to sniping at me already."

I walked over to the couch and sat down. I gestured for him to show me what he brought.

He handed me the file folder.

I opened it. Inside were documents related to my retirement application. Several forms that needed to be filled out before the captain could sign off.

"I took care of all the paperwork for you and brought it over." Lester's expression turned more serious. His tone cooled. "Now I only have one request. I want to talk to Chloe alone for a few minutes."