Chapter 245 245

Chapter 245 245


For several seconds, Blair could only stare at him.
Five years of anger. Five years of hurt. Five years of convincing herself she was completely fine on her own. 

Hearing those exact words from his lips—the raw confession she had once begged the universe for—shattered the last remaining wall around her heart.

A sob broke from her chest.
Without thinking, Blair leaned forward and threw her arms around Lucas's neck.

Lucas froze, the breath catching in his throat for one suspended heartbeat. Then, his arms came up around her, wrapping protectively around her waist as he pulled her flush against him. 

He buried his face in her dark hair, his eyes squeezing shut as he held her like she was the only real thing in the world.

Blair clutched the back of his shirt, her tears soaking into the fabric.

“I hate you,” she whispered through her sobs.
Lucas let out a quiet, broken laugh, his lips resting against her temple. “I know.”

“I really, really hate you.”
“I know, my love.”

She squeezed him tighter, burying her face in the crook of his shoulder. “But I missed you.”

Lucas’s hold tightened, his hand cupping the back of her head. “I missed you too. Every single day.”

Until the heavy brass door handle clicked and swung open.
“Blair?”
They broke apart instantly, shifting on the sofa as Alexander stepped into the room.

His usual effortless, charming demeanor was entirely gone, replaced by a tight look of panic. “I heard you collapsed—”

Alexander stopped mid-sentence. His eyes darted from Blair’s tear-streaked face to Lucas, sitting right beside her, their fingers still lightly brushed together on the velvet cushion.

The silence in the room stretched. Alexander didn't need a single word of explanation. The quiet intimacy hanging in the air spoke for itself.

For a fraction of a second, a flash of pure, unadulterated pain crossed Alexander's face. It was quick. Then, just as fast as it appeared, he forced it down, clearing his throat quietly.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice dropping into a gentle, subdued register. “I didn’t mean to barge in.”

Blair quickly wiped the back of her hand across her cheeks. “Alexander…”

“It’s okay.” He gave her a small, tight smile—not his usual cocky grin, but something genuine and bittersweet. “You don’t have to explain anything, Blair.”

Lucas watched him carefully, his dark eyes steady. Alexander met his gaze. 

There was no confrontation between them, no anger—just a heavy, unwritten understanding between two men who both loved the same woman.

Alexander looked back at Blair, his expression softening. “I only came because I was worried about you.”

“Thank you,” Blair murmured softly, her voice still raspy from crying. “For everything.”

Alexander nodded once. His eyes dropped to where her hand rested beside Lucas’s. His chest squeezed tight, a quiet ache settling behind his ribs.

He had spent months being her refuge, hoping that time and patience would be enough to win her completely. 

But looking at her now at the red in her eyes and the undeniable warmth resting between her and Lucas he knew the truth.

Lucas had made terrible mistakes. Lucas had broken her heart. But Blair’s heart still belonged to him. It always had. You couldn't force a love like that, no matter how hard you tried.

And maybe loving Blair meant knowing when to stop fighting for a place that was already taken.

Alexander took a slow, grounding breath. “I’m just glad you’re okay, Blair.”

He turned back toward the hallway, taking two steps before pausing at the threshold. Without turning around completely, he spoke over his shoulder, his tone quiet and even.

“He’s lucky.”
Lucas’s brows pulled together slightly. “What?”

Alexander glanced back, a faint, sad smile touching his lips. “You’re a very lucky man, Brooks.”

His eyes lingered on Blair one last time, memorizing the softness in her face. Then he met Lucas’s gaze, dead serious.
“Take care of her.”

Lucas held his gaze, his tone absolute. “With my life.”

Alexander gave a single, firm nod. Then he stepped out into the corridor and quietly clicked the door shut behind him, leaving them alone in the quiet warmth of the room.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Lucas was still holding Blair’s hand, his thumb moving slowly across her knuckles.

He looked like he had completely forgotten that there was an entire world outside that room.

Then—

His phone started ringing.

Lucas frowned.

He glanced toward the table where his phone was vibrating against the surface.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

He ignored it.

Blair looked at the phone, then back at him.

“Mr. Brooks…”

Lucas didn’t move.

The phone stopped.

A second later, it started ringing again.

Lucas sighed.

“Ignore it.”

Blair blinked.

“What if it’s important?”

“Nothing is more important right now.”

Her lips twitched.

“You don’t even know who it is.”

“I don’t care.”

The phone kept ringing.

Blair glanced at it again.

“Lucas.”

He looked at her.

“Pick it up.”

“I don’t want to.”

“You have a business to run.”

“I have a woman to take care of.”

Blair’s cheeks warmed.

She almost smiled.

Then the phone rang for the fourth time.

Blair reached toward the table and picked it up.

Lucas immediately frowned.

“Blair—”

She looked at the screen.

“Your lawyer.”

Lucas’s expression changed.

He sat up straighter.

“Give me that.”

Blair handed him the phone.

“See? I told you it might be important.”

Lucas accepted the call, his eyes never leaving hers.

“What is it?”

A voice spoke rapidly on the other end.

Lucas’s expression slowly hardened.

His jaw tightened.

“Wait. What?”

Blair’s smile faded.

Lucas listened in silence for several seconds.

Then he glanced at Blair.

“I’ll be there.”

He ended the call.

Blair immediately noticed the shift in his face.

“What happened?”

Lucas exhaled slowly.

“It’s something I need to handle.”

“Then go.”

He frowned.

“I don’t want to leave you.”

“Lucas.”

“I just got you back.”

Blair smiled softly.

“And I’m not going anywhere.”

He stared at her.

“You promise?”

She nodded.

“I promise.”

Lucas reached for her hand again and brought it to his lips.

“Fine.”

He slowly stood, wincing when his injured side protested.

Blair immediately frowned.

“And you’re going to rest after this.”

Lucas gave her a faint smile.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And you’re not allowed to pretend you’re fine.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And—”

He leaned down slightly.

“What?”

Blair looked into his eyes.

“Come back.”

The softness in her voice made his expression change completely.

“I will.”

He gently brushed his thumb across her cheek.

“I’m coming back to you, my love.”

Blair’s heart fluttered.

Lucas gave her one last lingering look before turning toward the door.

But just before he stepped out, he stopped.

He looked back at her.

That same helpless love was in his eyes.

“I love you.”

Blair smiled through the tears still clinging to her lashes.

“I love you too.”

Lucas smiled.

And then, finally, he walked out.