Chapter 212: I want a divorce

The moment they finished cleaning, Derby’s phone buzzed loudly against the dining table.

She quickly grabbed it.

“Oh thank goodness,” she sighed. “They finally called.”

Lucas glanced at the screen briefly before looking away. Derby answered excitedly and immediately opened her laptop.

The second her attention shifted to the conversation, Lucas released a slow breath of relief.

Thank goodness. Please let this call last for hours. He didn’t think he could survive pretending much longer tonight.

Lucas headed upstairs to shower.

The warm water from his shower did nothing to calm his nerves. His mind remained restless and heavy.

By the time he changed into his night clothes and climbed into bed, exhaustion had already settled deep into his bones.

A few minutes later, his phone buzzed softly. It was Alex.

For the first time that day, a tiny bit of warmth entered Lucas’s chest. Their conversation was short, simple, but comforting.

Alex’s voice somehow eased the suffocating pressure in Lucas’s mind.

When the call ended, Lucas stared at the screen for several seconds before finally whispering,

“Goodnight, my Alex.”

That instant he heard Derby's footsteps approaching the room.

Lucas shut his eyes and immediately adjusted his breathing.

Pretending to sleep has become easier lately.

The bedroom door opened quietly. Lucas could feel her presence standing there, watching him. The silence stretched for several long seconds.

Then finally, Derby sighed softly. “Goodnight Lucas,” she walked away.

Only after the door closed did Lucas reopen his eyes. He stared at the ceiling in darkness, feeling more exhausted than ever.

The next evening, tension filled the dining room before dinner had even started.

Lucas had just finished setting the table when his phone buzzed from Emily's call.

As he picked up to answer, Larrisa walked in carrying her handbag and wearing a bright smile.

“Wow,” she laughed lightly, “looks like I came at the perfect time.”

Lucas forced a polite smile onto his face and nodded. “Good evening Larrisa.”

“Evening Lucas.”

Inside, however, his entire body had already gone rigid. Because seeing Larrisa now only reminded him of the recording. Derby’s silence and the plan of harassing him.

He was still on the phone with Emily while placing extra glasses on the table when something suddenly caught his attention.

A tiny, quick movement near his glass of juice.

Lucas’s voice slowly died in his throat. His eyes narrowed. The movement had been fast. Almost impossible to notice, but he saw it.

And instantly, cold dread slithered down his spine. His eyes darkened instantly. The air around him turned cold. Slowly, he lifted his gaze.

He walked towards the table. His eyes narrowed. Lucas looked at the juice, then at her.

She immediately tried to compose herself.

Lucas stared, then slowly, he reached forward and lifted the glass. A faint residue floated at the bottom.

Lucas looked up. His voice was calm. “What did you put in my drink?”

Derby stiffened.

Larrisa immediately looked at her.

Derby forced a laugh. “What do you mean?”

Lucas didn’t move, but his eyes stayed on her.

“You fucking know what I mean?” His voice rose.

She became uncomfortable as she responded, “Nothing.”

Lucas kept staring, but she looked away. That told him enough.

Slowly, he put the glass down.

The sound echoed and his voice became colder.

“Say it, Derby. What the fuck did you put in my drink?”

Then he lowered his voice. “Are you trying to poison me?”

Derby swallowed.

“No,” she almost shouted in fear as she sprang up on her chair.

“Why would I poison you? Come on Lucas.” Derby said in a crackly voice.

“No, you come on, Derby, I saw your hand move quickly. You dropped some poison in there and I'm calling the police now.”

Lucas started dialing but Derby rushed and pleaded. “Please, it wasn’t poison. Don't call any fucking police.”

Using the word poison made the situation worse. So instantly she blurted, “I just wanted to confirm something.”

Lucas looked at her. “You want to confirm if I could die?”

He turned angrily and walked away from the dining area.

Derby ran after him. “Please, Lucas, let me explain. It wasn’t poison I put in the drink.” She spoke quickly.

“You said your body wasn’t responding and…”

Lucas paused in his track and Derby paused as well and then said quietly, “I just wanted to see if it would be different under medication.”

Silence dropped and nobody moved.

Then suddenly, Lucas turned and stared at her like he hadn’t heard correctly.

His voice became dangerously quiet.

“You wanted to confirm what?”

Derby looked nervous now. “I wasn’t trying to hurt you.”

Lucas laughed in disbelief.

“You put something in my drink just for some silly confirmation?”

She hurriedly replied, “I just wanted to know if you were telling the truth.”

That did it.

Lucas's eyes glared at her. Then suddenly he said almost in a scream. “You wanted to know if I was lying?”

The two ladies jumped.

His face hardened.

“So just because you didn't trust my words, you have to use drugs on me. For fucking what, hmm?”

“Lucas, wait…”

He glared at her, and she immediately stopped. For the first time since their fake marriage, he saw him looking genuinely angry. To make it worse, his voice was controlled.

“You had doubts and you couldn't suggest that we visit your own doctor. Or even make inquiries.”

He paused.

“Instead of making your own findings, you decided to test me with drugs?”

His eyes flickered to Larrisa who was quiet. Then he asked her, “Did you put her up to this?”

“Me? What are you talking about? Larrisa asked as if she knew nothing.

“Then I guess you made this silly decision on your own,” Lucas said as he turned.

Derby’s face turned pale.

“I'm sorry, okay.”

Lucas shook his head once. Then said quietly, “No, Derby, that's not okay. We can't continue with this silly union. I want a divorce.”

“What? No Lucas, I'm sorry. I will never try such a trick again."

“Yes, you won't because, you will never have a chance to.” He walked on towards the exit.

Derby rushed to him and tried to hold his hand. “Lucas please, I'm...”

“Don't touch me.” He withdrew his hand and stepped out of the building.

Derby followed, trying to stop him but Lucas played furiously and walked away from her quickly.

He just walked on at first, he wanted to take his car to a bar but changed his mind and turned to the way to the garden.

As he walked on, the anger faded. He smiled, “Dear wife, two can play this game.” He whispered.

The mansion lights disappeared behind him. He walked on with his hands in his pockets.

Cold air against his face. His chest burned, not because of the lies, or the marriage.

But because for a second, he actually believed she wouldn't go that far.

By the time he stopped, he realized he was in the gardener’s cottage.

A warm light glowed inside. Lucas stared at the door. Then let out a laugh.

“Seriously.”

But instead of turning back, he went and knocked.