Chapter 194: Unfolding the secret

Jason quickly leaned forward before Alex’s emotions spiraled further out of control.

“Big bro, we need to tread carefully,” he said firmly. “If we move recklessly, we’ll scare Lucas or worse, give them a clue that we know what they’re doing.”

Emily nodded immediately. “Yes, Jason is right.”

Alex pushed a frustrated hand through his hair and stood up halfway before sitting back down again.

“Damn it, I can’t think straight right now,” he snapped under his breath. “How the hell am I supposed to stay calm after hearing all this?” His chest rose heavily. “The only thing I can think of is bringing Lucas out of that house and telling him everything.”

“No,” Emily said instantly.

Alex looked at her sharply.

“That will only create chaos,” she explained. “They’ll twist the story and label you a manipulative ex, or worse, a kidnapper.” Her expression softened slightly. “You have to remember, Lucas doesn’t remember you right now. He barely even remembers himself.”

That truth hit painfully.

Alex clenched his fists tightly on the table.

“Goddamn it,” he cursed again, angrily. “I'm feeling so fucking frustrated.”

“Calm down, Alex,” Jason said carefully.

Though calm himself, Jason’s mind was already moving strategically.

He turned toward Emily.

“Tell me something. Do you know the type of guard they’re looking for?”

Emily nodded.

“They planned to contact my dad to get them through one of his men, Gabe.”

Jason’s eyes sharpened thoughtfully.

“Can Gabe help us?” he asked. “Or is he completely loyal to your father?”

Emily considered briefly before answering.

“He’s definitely Dad’s trusted man,” she admitted. “But he genuinely likes Lucas.” A small hopeful look crossed her face. “If they go through him, I think he might secretly help us instead.”

Alex finally looked up.

“I was planning to speak with him,” Emily continued. “If he hears anything or notices suspicious moves, he can inform me.”

Jason nodded slowly.

“Yeah… that could actually help.”

“Good,” Alex muttered, though the anger was still evident in his voice.

At that exact moment, Emily’s expression changed instantly. Her eyes were fixed on the café entrance.

“Well, well,” she muttered dryly, “Talking about the devil.”

Alex and Jason followed her line of sight.

A tall middle-aged man in a dark suit had just entered the café. His sharp eyes scanned the room briefly before he headed toward the counter.

Alex frowned.

“That’s Gabe?” he asked quietly.

Emily nodded slowly. “Yes.”

The tension around the table thickened.

Then Emily suddenly stood up.

“I’ll be right back.”

Before either man could stop her, she walked confidently across the café toward Gabe.

Meanwhile, Alex watched nervously from afar while Jason leaned closer to him.

“Don’t react emotionally no matter what happens,” Jason warned quietly.

Alex didn’t answer. His eyes remained fixed on Emily walking towards Gabe.

For some reason, his instincts told him this conversation could change everything.

Emily walked steadily toward the bar area where Gabe stood waiting for his order.

The man noticed her almost immediately.

“Good day, Gabe,” she greeted.

“Hey, Em.” His face brightened with a warm smile. “What’s up?”

Emily crossed her arms instantly.

“I’m not happy with you, Gabe.”

His brows lifted slightly in surprise.

“They forced my brother into marrying that witch and you kept quiet about it.”

Gabe sighed deeply and shook his head. “Come on, girl. Nobody forced him,” he corrected calmly. “They convinced him. That’s two different things.”

Emily scoffed.

Gabe’s smile slowly disappeared as he studied her expression more carefully.

“The deed is already done,” he said cautiously. “Why are you bringing this up now?” His eyes narrowed slightly. “Is the hubby complaining?”

Emily’s face darkened immediately. “Yes,” she answered firmly. “Lucas is not okay.”

Gabe frowned.

“And the worst part?” Emily leaned closer and lowered her voice. “The marriage was all planned to separate him from Alex.”

For the first time, genuine surprise crossed Gabe’s face. “I suspected something,” he admitted slowly. “But…” He frowned deeper in confusion. “Isn’t the wife supposed to be in love with Lucas?”

Emily let out a bitter laugh. “No. Derby doesn’t give a shit about my brother.”

That answer visibly unsettled Gabe. “This is getting confusing,” he muttered thoughtfully.

He glanced around briefly before lowering his own voice. “If she doesn’t care about him… then why does she suddenly want a guard for his safety?”

Emily’s eyes sharpened.

“So they are going to monitor him for real?”

Gabe nodded once. “I’m actually here to meet the guards they want to put in charge of his safety.”

At those words, Emily chuckled humorlessly.

“Oh…” she said slowly. “So that’s how they’re putting it, for his safety, huh?”

Gabe looked at her carefully. The sarcasm in her tone was impossible to miss.

Across the café, Alex and Jason remained seated, watching the conversation anxiously from afar.

Alex’s jaw tightened the moment he saw Gabe nodding seriously at something Emily said.

“What are they talking about?” he muttered impatiently.

Jason kept his eyes on them calmly.

“Hopefully,” he said quietly, “Something that can help us.”

Meanwhile, Gabe looked back at Emily with growing concern.

“Em… tell me honestly,” he said carefully. “Is Lucas in danger?”

Emily hesitated briefly before answering, “Yes.”

Her voice came out softer this time. “Maybe not physically yet, but emotionally? Mentally?” Her eyes watered slightly from frustration. “He’s trapped, Gabe. The worst part is, he doesn’t even realize it.”

The man’s expression hardened instantly.

Gabe studied Emily carefully, the seriousness in her face slowly wiping away the remaining doubt in his mind.

“Em…” he said quietly, “is this really that serious?”

Emily inhaled shakily before nodding. “Yes.” Her answer came without hesitation.

“They’re using my brother to take revenge on Alex.” Her voice trembled slightly with frustration. “I believe Derby and her aunt, Larrisa, are only using Lucas to hurt Alex.”

Gabe’s brows furrowed deeply.

“And in the process,” Emily continued bitterly, “they trapped my brother inside this stupid marriage because he can’t remember his relationship with Alex.”

The man fell silent for a moment, absorbing everything she said.

“I see…” he finally murmured.

Emily stepped closer desperately.

“You have to help me, Gabe.”

His gaze softened instantly.

“Derby didn’t ask for guards because she cares about Lucas’s safety,” Emily explained quickly. “She wants people to monitor him.” Her voice lowered angrily. “To make sure his path never crosses with Alex’s.”

Gabe’s jaw tightened slowly.

“To make sure they remain separated,” Emily finished.

For several seconds, Gabe said nothing.

He glanced briefly across the café where Alex sat watching anxiously from afar. Even from a distance, the pain in Alex’s expression was obvious.

Gabe exhaled heavily, and then he looked back at Emily.

“So…” he asked calmly, “how exactly do I help you for Lucas’s peace of mind?”

Relief flickered briefly across Emily’s face. “I need you to cooperate with us secretly,” she said immediately. “If they insist on assigning guards around Lucas, then let them be people we will give you.”

Gabe listened carefully.

“People who won’t treat him like a prisoner,” she continued. “People who can inform me if anything strange happens.”

“And Alex?” Gabe asked carefully.

Emily hesitated before answering honestly. “Lucas deserves the freedom to decide things himself,” she said. “Not to be manipulated.”