Chapter 46 Guilt
Chapter 46 Guilt
Lucas POV:
I woke up and the first thing I noticed…she wasn’t around. My hand moved across the sheets on instinct and then my jaw tightened.
So where the hell did she go?
I pushed myself up, ignoring the slight pain in my chest. Then, the door opened and she walked in. She was breathless and her hair was slightly messy. My eyes darkened as I watched her.
“Where did you go?” I asked.
She paused, just for a second, then she looked at me like nothing was wrong. “I just went out for some fresh air.”
Obviously, it was a lie. I knew it but I didn’t push. I just held her gaze for a moment before leaning back against the bed, acting like I didn’t care.
“Call the doctor,” I said.
Her brows furrowed. “Why?”
“I’m getting discharged.”
“Lucas, you just–”
“I’m fine,” I cut her off.
My tone left no room for argument. “I’m leaving,” I added, my eyes locking onto hers. “Now.”
After being recharged from the hospital, I went home with Zara. But before I could even settle down, I got a message from Giselle. She said she was on her way home because she missed me. I believed her.
An hour later, I was at the airport and eagerly waiting for Giselle’s arrival. I was about to grab something to drink when I saw her walking in my direction. Before, my heart would race every time she would smile at me like that.
But something happened between me and Zara. As she sauntered her way toward me, my mind was suddenly filled with Zara’s images. I shook my head immediately because I didn’t want to entertain thoughts about Zara.
“Hey, don’t you miss me? You look a little bit different today!” Giselle pouted her lips before linking her arm into mine.
I smiled at her. “Of course, I miss you so much!”
“Are you sure you’re okay? You seem to be absentminded,” she complained.
“It's nothing, love. Maybe I'm just tired. I have tons of work at the office,” I laughed it off and reassured her.
“You should take a rest too! Being sick is hard, love,” she insisted, always caring for me.
“Later, my love.”
We made our way to my car, but I couldn’t help but notice the attention she received from the people at the airport. As a famous model, she was used to the public’s attention but I was not. I just tolerated it before because I was so in love.
From the airport, I brought her to our favorite restaurant. But while waiting for our food to be served, I made a mental note to check on my son tomorrow.
“Eat, babe, this is all your favorite,” I said as soon as our food was served.
Giselle pushed the plate away. “I’m on diet, love.”
“Can you eat a little? You look thinner than the last time I saw you,” I expressed my concern but she just rolled her eyes.
As an international model, I understood why she was constantly on a diet but I couldn’t control myself from feeling lonely. I felt that over the years, she prioritized her career over our relationship and the possibility of starting a family.
I wanted to confront her about it but I didn’t want to ruin her mood. So, I stayed quiet. But as I ate the food I ordered, she didn’t look at me. She was scrolling through her phone while having black coffee.
“Are you sure you’re not hungry?” I asked.
“I’m fine,” she said after a while, her tone light, dismissive. “You worry too much.”
I let out a slow breath, leaning back in my seat. “You’ve been flying nonstop. Shoots, events, interviews…when was the last time you actually rested?”
She finally glanced at me, one brow slightly raised. “Lucas, this is my job.”
“I know,” I said quickly. “I’m just saying—”
“You’re saying I should slow down?” she cut in, her lips curving into a faint smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “That’s not going to happen!”
Of course it wasn’t.
It never did.
I wasn’t used to this feeling around her. With Giselle, everything used to be easy. Predictable. Perfect. So why did it feel like I was the only one trying now? My fingers curled slightly against the armrest as something ugly stirred inside me.
Was it because of guilt? That I slept with my wife while she was away?
“You’ve been quiet,” Giselle said suddenly, studying me now.
“Like you, I’m also tired from work,” I lied.
She hummed softly, already losing interest as she went back to her phone. Just like that? The conversation was over? I watched her for a moment longer, and something unfamiliar settled deep in my chest.
For years, I told myself she was enough, that she was everything I wanted, so why now?