Chapter 117 Foes Cross Paths

Chapter 117 Foes Cross Paths

Chloe's POV

I stood on the steps, watching Lester's figure disappear into the distance.

I'd always looked after the people around me without thinking twice. I never expected anyone to remember. But all I could offer was kindness—nothing more.

My heart was already completely filled with Lucas. There wasn't even a crack left.

Lucas's voice drifted down from upstairs. "Chloe."

I looked up immediately. "Coming!"

I gathered the hem of my nightgown and hurried up the stairs. I pushed open the door. Lucas stood by the window.

He watched me rush in. His gaze landed on my face first, then slid down to the charm in my hand.

"Finished talking?"

"Mm-hmm."

I walked over and set the charm on the table. "He came to say goodbye."

Lucas was silent for a few seconds. Then he reached out. His fingers closed around my wrist. He pulled me toward him.

"He's around your age," he said, his eyes lowered to meet mine. His tone was tinged with something quietly sour. "Young. Likable."

I blinked. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. He hadn't finished. "He's more than I—"

I didn't let him finish. I rose onto my toes and kissed him.

Lucas froze instantly. I slid my arms around his neck. I kissed him with clumsy urgency. My nose bumped his chin. I didn't pull away.

Within two seconds, his hand came up to steady my waist. He tightened his grip. He bent his head. He took control and deepened the kiss.

He kissed me until my knees went weak. My breathing was ragged. My fingers clutched desperately at his shirt. When he finally released me, my ears were burning.

Lucas rested his forehead against mine. His voice was low and rough. "What kind of answer is that, baby?"

My cheeks were on fire. But I still met his gaze. "That is my answer."

He didn't say anything. But a slow smile crept into his eyes.

I pressed my lips together and said softly but seriously, "I'll only ever choose you. This lifetime—it's always been you."

---

Later, Lucas and I moved into a new apartment near campus.

Every morning when I finished washing up, breakfast was already set out on the table.

Lucas sat across from me scrolling through the news. He casually slid the jam jar toward me. He took care of every little detail without thinking.

School was the same. He insisted on driving me every day. His reasons were always ironclad.

"The roads aren't safe."

"You get out too late. It gets dark fast."

"There's been a string of thefts around campus lately."

At first, I'd try to argue. Eventually, I realized it was pointless.

No matter what I said, he'd pick up his keys. He'd grab my backpack. He'd refuse to take no for an answer.

One morning, Layla happened to leave with me.

She climbed into the back seat and buckled her seatbelt. She immediately started gushing.

"Having a personal chauffeur is way too blissful. I'm seriously jealous."

I turned around. "Yesterday you were complaining about how clingy he is."

"Doesn't mean I can't be jealous." She leaned against the seat back and grinned at me. "Chloe, you've been glowing lately. Like, seriously."

I touched my face. "Have I?"

"Absolutely." Layla jerked her chin toward the front seat. "You're being taken care of way too well."

Lucas kept one hand on the wheel, eyes on the road. "That's because she had it too rough before."

Layla went silent for two seconds. Then she whistled. "Wow. Look at Mr. Devoted over here."

My ears burned. I quickly turned to stare out the window.

---

The car pulled up in front of the campus gate. I spotted the last people I wanted to see.

Owen stood on the steps in front of the academic building. He wore a baseball jacket. His face was dark and stormy.

Stella stood a few paces behind him. Sunglasses on top of her head. Her lips pressed into a tight line. She was clearly displeased.

Dahlia had her arms crossed. She looked awkward—like she'd been dragged there against her will.

I hesitated. My hand touched the door handle. I quietly pulled it back.

Layla saw them too and muttered, "What rotten luck."

I was about to suggest another gate. Lucas took my hand first.

His palm was warm and steady. His voice was firm. "You don't need to hide."

I turned to look at him. His eyes were resolute. The unease in my chest slowly settled.

As soon as we got out of the car, Owen spotted me.

He froze for a moment. Then he shoved Stella aside and hurried toward us.

He called out to Lucas first, his tone slightly ingratiating. "Uncle."

Then his eyes landed on me. They darted nervously. "Chloe, I finally found you."

I stayed silent. Owen kept talking anyway.

"I know I was a jerk before. I did so many stupid things. I wasn't even a normal person back then."

"I've been trying to reach you ever since. You blocked me everywhere. I went to your house, but your dad wouldn't even let me in the door. I—"

"Owen." I cut him off.

He stopped immediately. He stared at me with a flicker of hope.

I lowered my eyes. My tone was calm. "You don't need to apologize anymore."

His face went pale. "You still won't forgive me?"

"It's not about forgiveness." I looked up at him. "You have your own life. Who you like, who you're with—it has nothing to do with me anymore."

Owen opened his mouth. I continued. "All I want is for you to stop bothering me."

The moment I said it, I felt strangely calm.

No heartache. No bitterness. No more making excuses.

Owen stood frozen. His eyes reddened. "Chloe, I really know I was wrong."

"Too late," Layla said coldly.

Owen ignored her. He still stared at me. Desperate for one last shred of hope.

Then he turned to Lucas. His voice was hoarse. "Uncle, when are you coming back home?"

Lucas stood beside me the entire time. He still held my hand. His expression was cold and final. "I'm not going back."

Owen looked stunned.

"Since we ran into each other today, I'll make this clear." Lucas's tone was calm but commanding.

The color drained from Owen's face.

"You and Chloe—it's been over for a long time." Lucas looked at him. His words were sharp. "Don't show up in front of her again. Don't text, don't call, don't do anything that makes her uncomfortable."

Owen's throat worked. "Uncle, I just wanted to—"

"What you want doesn't matter." Lucas cut him off. "What matters is that she doesn't want to see you."

Students passing by began to slow down. Onlookers gathered.

Owen stood frozen. His fists were clenched. His face cycled between red and white. Utterly humiliated.

Lucas stepped forward and lowered his voice. His tone was laced with warning. "Let me be clear. If you come near her again, I'll make sure you stay away. Even if your father steps in, it won't stop me."

Owen went completely still. He looked between Lucas and me. His lips moved soundlessly. Finally, he said nothing.

A few seconds later, he lowered his head and left.

Stella and Dahlia were still standing there. They clearly hadn't expected Owen to back down so easily.

Layla crossed her arms and laughed coldly. "Well, that was entertaining."

Stella's face darkened. She shoved Dahlia forward. "You go talk."

Dahlia nearly stumbled. She whipped around. "Why don't you go?"

"You're the one who knew about it first!"

"Yeah, but you're the one who—"

"Enough," I said.

Both of them fell silent.

Dahlia took a deep breath. As if summoning courage. She shuffled half a step forward.

She glanced nervously at Lucas first. Clearly intimidated. "Mr. White, I'm not trying to stir up trouble."

"I just think you have a right to know." Her eyes flickered as she looked at Lucas. "Chloe has actually been really close with a guy at school. Their relationship is… kind of ambiguous."