Chapter 59 You Still Want to See Him
I rushed out of the room, my mind full of thoughts about giving Lucas a piece of my mind.
I hate people who don't take care of themselves!
"Where are you going? Bella!"
I walked to the entrance and heard Brian calling out. When I turned around, I realized that Gale and Brian were both sitting on the living room sofa. I'd been so focused on thinking about how to scold Lucas that I hadn't noticed them at first.
"Gale, Brian, good morning." I greeted them awkwardly, clutching the umbrella in my arms nervously.
"Good morning? Look what time it is." Brian took a deep breath and asked me, "Where are you going?"
"Gale, Brian, I'll explain when I get back." I quickly put on my shoes with my head down and turned to run out.
Gale, "Stop!"
I instinctively froze.
"Are you going to see Lucas?" Brian walked toward me. "He's just trying to get your sympathy. Don't let him fool you."
"How long has he been standing outside?" I asked carefully.
Gale rubbed his temples. "A grown man won't die from getting rained on. But you, Bella, have you forgotten you're still sick? Go back to your room. You need to rest."
Brian pulled me toward the stairs, but I resisted and stood my ground.
"Bella?"
"Gale, Brian, I saw those news articles." I suppressed my anxiety, planning to calm Gale and Brian down first.
"Those made-up stories might fool people who don't know the truth, but do you believe them, too? If I didn't want to, who could force me to get married?"
Brian opened his mouth, but I continued before he could speak. "In these three years, you haven't asked Lucas for any benefits or taken advantage of him. Instead, you've let me be Mrs. Valeri in peace. You haven't used me, and I'm not your tool. Those nasty things outsiders say—just treat them like hot air!"
Gale's expression was tense. "After all that, you still want to see him."
I bit my lip. "You are the people I love most, but Lucas is just as important to me."
Gale sighed. "Even though he's neglected you, hurt you, and let Amelia humiliate you? He has time to stand in the rain playing the victim and seeking sympathy, but no time to deal with his relationship with Amelia?"
I explained weakly, "He has his reasons."
"Can you accept his reasons?" Brian asked me sharply.
No wonder he's a lawyer—every word he said stabbed at my heart. "Bella, if he really loved you and cared about you, after learning your identity, he should have immediately helped us get revenge! If he was willing to go all out for you, we might have already taken down the Gambino family's territory!"
I looked down at the floor, tears rolling down my cheeks.
Brian looked shocked, and Gale, who had been sitting steadily on the sofa, couldn't sit still anymore.
They both rushed over and surrounded me, anxiously trying to comfort me.
"Bella, don't cry! When you cry, our hearts break."
"Brian! You went too far. Apologize to Bella!"
"Bella, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you!"
I quickly shook my head. "You're right. I understand the logic, but, but..."
I hugged Gale and Brian. "But seeing him so miserable breaks my heart!"
Gale and Brian exchanged glances, both showing helpless expressions.
Brian cupped my face and gently wiped away my tears. "Put on a thick coat and go. We can't get rid of him, but if you tell him to leave, he'll probably listen."
I nodded firmly. Following Gale and Brian's instructions, I bundled up like a bear. Before I left, Gale called out to me.
"Bella, we don't want you to be sad. But if Lucas hurts you again, we'll become his enemies no matter what!"
My heart trembled. "I understand, Gale."
Lightning flashed across the sky, and the rain grew heavier.
A familiar figure stood under the olive tree by the door.
The downpour had soaked through Lucas's clothes. The fur collar of his black coat, once fluffy and elegant, now looked like tangled grass after being drenched by the cold rain. The light-colored shirt under his coat clung tightly to Lucas's body, outlining his strong muscles.
Lucas let the storm and cold wind beat against him. Like he was punishing himself, he watched me approach step by step, his dark pupils growing brighter.
The anger in my heart was almost uncontrollable.
"Is this fun for you?" I threw the folding umbrella hard into his arms. "Are you doing this on purpose? Do you think doing this will make me feel sorry for you and soften toward you?"
"Do you feel sorry for me?" Lucas's voice was hoarse, like it had been scraped with sandpaper.
His eyes were full of bloodshot veins, his lips pale without a trace of color. "Is your illness better? I wanted to see you, but your brothers wouldn't allow it."
A flash of disgust crossed his eyes, so quick it seemed like my imagination.
"All you can do is stand there, stupidly holding an umbrella?" I looked at Alfred in the car. This guy was looking at Lucas with sympathy and even making eyes at me.
"Alfred! Hold an umbrella for Lucas!"
My order didn't make Alfred move. Instead, he shrank back and hid.
I was speechless.
I looked at Lucas helplessly, walked two steps closer, stood on my tiptoes, and tilted the umbrella over my head toward Lucas.
His eyelashes trembled, and he looked at me with deep eyes.
Rain fell on my back. Lucas suddenly reached up and grabbed the umbrella handle, keeping it firmly over my head. He squeezed under the small umbrella surface, and the cold air hit me, making me shiver instinctively.
"So cold," Lucas said.
I glared at him irritably. "So you do know it's cold?"
"If I didn't do this, you wouldn't come out."
Lucas's bluntness made me even angrier.
"You only know how to take advantage of my concern for you! Last time in my office, when you suddenly fainted—that was fake too, wasn't it!"
I said coldly, "Lucas, haven't you heard the story of 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf'? The third time, I won't fall for it again! The umbrella is yours—use it or don't. I won't come out again. Go back."
I turned to leave. Lucas grabbed my wrist urgently. "If you weren't refusing to see me, why would I use this method? The third time won't work? Then your feelings for me are just that shallow!"
I raised my hand and slapped Lucas hard across the face.
"I don't want to see you anymore." I sneered mockingly. "Leave my house immediately! I hope you and Amelia love each other for a hundred years and go to hell together!"
Lucas's eyes suddenly turned blood red. Before I could react, he suddenly reached out and held me tightly in his arms, with such force it felt like he wanted to melt me into his bones.
I struggled but couldn't break free at all.
"Lucas, let me go!"
"If I die, I'll only choose your grave as my burial ground!" His long-suppressed emotions lost control and exploded. I saw the obsession and possessiveness churning in the depths of his eyes—a side of him I'd never seen before.
"Isabella, you'll never escape from me!"
The umbrella fell to the ground, and rain blurred my vision.
Lucas dragged me into the car and held me tightly in his arms.
In the distance came Gale and Brian's angry roars.
"Drive!" Lucas ordered Alfred.
The car door closed!
Alfred pressed hard on the gas pedal, and the car rushed into the vast rain.