Chapter 160
Nora's POV
Lucas stood over him, shaking out his knuckles with casual satisfaction. "One punch enough?" he asked, his tone light. "Or do you need another?"
Kyle wiped the blood from his lip and slowly climbed to his feet, his face darkening with barely restrained rage. For a moment, I thought he might lunge at Lucas.
I grabbed Lucas's sleeve instinctively, trying to pull him back. My heart hammered. Lucas was human. If Kyle lost control, he could snap him in half.
But Lucas stepped in front of me instead, blocking Kyle's line of sight. He tilted his chin up, meeting Kyle's glare head-on.
Kyle's jaw worked. He didn't move.
"Lucas—" I started.
"It's fine, Nora." Lucas didn't take his eyes off Kyle. "He's not stupid enough to throw a punch in public. Right, Kyle?"
Kyle's gaze shifted to me. The anger in his eyes flickered, replaced by something worse—desperation mixed with calculation. He straightened his jacket, forcing his expression into something softer. Almost apologetic.
"Lucas," he said quietly. "We've known each other for years. I've always thought of you as—" He paused, searching for the right word. "Someone important. Family, even."
Lucas snorted. "Family doesn't harass my sister at her workplace."
"I know." Kyle held up his hands in surrender. "I know I crossed a line. I was too aggressive. I just—" He looked at me, his voice dropping. "I didn't know how else to get through to Nora."
I felt Lucas tense beside me, ready to throw another punch.
"I'm asking for a chance," he said. "Just one chance to make things right. To prove I've changed." His eyes flicked to me. "I'm sorry, Nora. I'm sorry I scared you. I didn't respect your space. I just... I didn't know what else to do."
The words sounded rehearsed. Calculated. Like he'd practiced this exact speech in front of a mirror, testing which version would crack my defenses.
Lucas looked at me, waiting for my cue.
I took a breath and stepped forward, meeting Kyle's gaze directly. "We can't be friends, Kyle."
His face went pale. "Why not? I'm not asking for anything else. Just—"
"Because friendship requires respect," I said evenly. "And you've never respected my choices. Not when we were together, and definitely not now." I paused, letting the weight of my words settle. "You broke my trust when you got engaged behind my back. You can't rebuild something from nothing."
Kyle opened his mouth, then closed it. His throat worked as he swallowed hard.
Lucas crossed his arms, his voice sharp. "She's made herself clear. Stop showing up. Stop calling. Stop pretending you have any claim to her life."
I put a hand on Lucas's arm. "Let's go."
Lucas held Kyle's stare for another beat, then nodded. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders, guiding me toward the parking lot.
Behind us, I heard Kyle's voice, quiet and strained. "Nora—"
I didn't turn around.
---
Lucas's car smelled faintly of coffee and leather. I buckled my seatbelt, staring out the window as he pulled into traffic. The city lights blurred past.
"You okay?" Lucas asked after a moment.
"Yeah." My voice came out flat.
He shot me a sideways glance. "You don't sound okay."
I didn't answer. My mind was still stuck on the image of Kyle standing alone, surrounded by scattered flowers. There was something pathetic about it. And yet, underneath the pity, I felt a nagging unease.
"Where to?" Lucas asked, breaking the silence.
I turned to him. "Silver Ridge Estate."
His eyebrows shot up. "You're going to Julian's place?"
"I want to see Pepper and Lily," I said defensively.
Lucas smirked. "Sure. The pets. That's definitely why you're going."
"Shut up."
He laughed, but there was a knowing glint in his eyes.
"Between Kyle and Julian, who do you actually like?" he continued.
I shot him a look. "Why are you asking?"
"Because I'm nosy." He shrugged. "And because I care. So humor me."
I sighed, leaning back against the seat. The question hung in the air, heavier than I wanted to admit. My mind drifted back to Kyle—the way he used to chase me, relentless and single-minded. Back then, I'd thought it was romantic. Now, I saw it for what it was: obsession dressed up as devotion.
"Kyle," I said slowly, "was... someone I thought I had feelings for. But looking back, I don't think I ever really loved him. I was just—touched, I guess. By how hard he tried." I paused, choosing my words carefully. "But being moved by someone's effort isn't the same as actually wanting them."
Lucas nodded, his expression thoughtful. "And Julian?"
A smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it. "Julian's different," I said quietly. "With him, it's like... every day, I like him a little more. Like I keep discovering new reasons to fall for him." I looked out the window, my voice softening. "He makes me want to be better. Not because he expects it, but because he makes me feel like I already am."
Lucas let out a low whistle. "Damn. That's... actually kind of sweet."
I shot him a glare. "Don't make it weird."
"Too late." He grinned. "But seriously, if Julian ever heard you say that, he'd probably work three all-nighters straight and still have energy left over."
I laughed despite myself. "You're ridiculous."
"Maybe. But I'm also right."
When we pulled up to Silver Ridge Estate, I hesitated before opening the door.
Lucas leaned over, smirking. "So you're not going in, but coming home with your adorable, charming brother?"
I rolled my eyes. "You're just annoying."
I waved my hand. "Go home, Lucas."
He laughed, shaking his head. "Fine, fine. Enjoy your night with the pets." He paused, his grin widening. "And maybe send Julian a goodnight text. He'd appreciate it."
"Get out of here."
He drove off, still laughing. I stood there for a moment, watching his taillights disappear down the driveway. Then I turned toward the house.