Chapter 228: Don't leave

Derby kept drinking.

One glass became two. Two became half the bottle. Half the bottle became nearly all of it. Within an hour, her movements had grown unsteady. Her cheeks were flushed, and her thoughts were spilling freely from her lips.

She wandered around the living room, bottle in hand, muttering to herself.

The mansion felt too quiet, empty, and full of thoughts she didn't want to have.

The front door opened.

Jerry stepped inside and immediately noticed her condition.

His eyes widened.

"Ma'am?"

Derby turned toward him. "Oh." She laughed. "Jerry."

He approached carefully. "Do you need help getting to bed?"

Derby stared at him for several seconds before suddenly chuckling.

"Ohhh..."

She pointed at him with the bottle.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

Jerry blinked. "What could that be, ma'am?"

Derby's smile disappeared.

"He is sleeping with him, Jerry."

"Who is sleeping with who?"

"My Lucas." Her voice cracked. "My Lucas is with Alex."

Jerry stared in surprise. Lucas had asked him to check on Derby and take her to bed if possible. But he didn't know that something this serious had happened.

"What are you talking about?"

She nodded repeatedly.

"Mhm. I saw them." The memory instantly reignited her anger.

"Butts naked in the bathroom."

Jerry's eyes widened.

"Oh my gosh." He looked genuinely shocked. "Are you serious, ma'am?"

"Dead serious." She took another drink. "I walked in on them, with my two eyes, I saw them."

Jerry rubbed the back of his neck.

"I... I don't know what to say."

Derby laughed bitterly. "I feel so betrayed, Jerry. Lucas has regained his memory."

“Are you sure about that?” That was another surprise from her.

She sank onto the couch.

"Oh, trust me on that. Do you know the worst part?"

"No," Jerry said cautiously. "What is it?"

Derby stared into the bottle. "Lucas wants a divorce."

Jerry already knew about that but pretended to be surprised.

"Oh dear. Is that serious?"

She nodded. "Mhm, he is very serious."

Silence settled between them.

Finally Jerry spoke. "So... why not give him the divorce and have your peace of mind?"

Derby immediately shook her head.

"I can't."

"Why can't you ma'am?"

Her eyes softened briefly. "Because I like him."

The confession seemed to surprise even her. She stared ahead. "I really do like Lucas."

Jerry sat opposite her.

"Then why hold on if he's already made his choice?"

Derby laughed. A harsh sound.

"Because if I let him go..." She tightened her grip on the bottle.

"He'll be with Alex."

Jerry frowned.

"And what is wrong with that?"

Her expression darkened instantly.

"Alex will be happy and I don't want that."

The room fell silent. Jerry studied her carefully. "What is wrong with that?"

Derby raised the bottle and swallowed another mouthful. Then she whispered, "He doesn't deserve a happily-ever-after."

Jerry frowned. "What do you mean?"

Derby's eyes looked distant, and cold.

"My mother died because of him."

Jerry froze.

"What?"

She nodded. "Exactly what I said."

The words came out flat. "She died because of him."

Jerry stared at her. Trying to understand. Trying to figure out whether the alcohol was talking or whether she truly believed it.

Several moments passed. Neither of them spoke.

Then Jerry finally asked quietly,

"What happened?"

Derby looked away. For the first time since they started talking, she didn't answer immediately.

The silence stretched between them. It was heavy, complicated, and filled with old wounds neither of them seemed ready to open.

Eventually, Derby leaned back against the couch and closed her eyes.

Jerry remained where he was, watching her with concern. Whatever story was hiding behind those words,

it was clearly far deeper than simple jealousy.

And for the first time that night, he suspected Alex might be carrying secrets of his own.

Suddenly, she opened her eyes and stood up. Then she staggered and laughed as Jerry caught her.

“Jerry fuck me”

“What? Jerry wasn't expecting that.

“Come on Jerry just one more time, hmm.”

She kissed Jerry instantly. Jerry couldn't hold back as he kissed her back. Picking her up, he headed to her room immediately. Savoring every part of her body.

Meanwhile, after Derby left, the bathroom felt unnaturally quiet. Only the sound of running water remained.

Alex stood frozen for several seconds, staring at the door she had slammed behind her. His jaw was tight. His thoughts racing.

This was bad. Very bad.

Slowly, he ran a hand through his damp hair and stepped away.

"We should get out."

Lucas leaned against the tiled wall, completely unconcerned.

"Why?"

Alex stared at him.

"Why?" he repeated incredulously. "Because your wife just caught us."

Lucas shrugged. "Ex-wife soon, besides who made her a wife?"

"Lucas."

"What?"

Alex shut off the shower and grabbed a towel. "This isn't funny."

Lucas watched him pace around the bathroom. Unlike Alex, he looked almost relaxed. As though a weight had finally been lifted.

Alex finished drying himself and immediately reached for his clothes.

"I need to go."

Lucas frowned. "What?"

"I need to leave before this becomes even more complicated."

Lucas folded his arms. "No. Alex, come on."

Alex paused. "No?"

"No."

Alex almost laughed from disbelief.

"You can't be serious."

"I'm very serious." Lucas stepped closer. "You're not leaving. I want some sugar."

"Lucas, she literally just walked in on us."

"And so?"

Alex stared at him. The casual response nearly drove him insane.

"And?" His voice rose. "Come on Lucas, she knows! She knows you remembered me. She might even think all your memories are back."

"Good then."

Alex blinked.

Lucas moved closer until only a small distance separated them.

"I'm tired of hiding."

His voice had lost all traces of humor. He looked completely serious. "I've spent enough time letting other people decide how I should live."

Alex's expression softened slightly.

"Baby..."

"No." Lucas shook his head. "Listen to me."

His hand found Alex's. "I'm not embarrassed."

Alex swallowed.

"I'm not ashamed of us."

The words hit harder than Alex expected.

Lucas squeezed his hand. "She found out." He shrugged. "I liked the fact that it happened."

Alex looked away. "But she's hurt."

"I know."

"She's very angry."

"I know."

"She's probably planning something right now."

That actually made Lucas laugh.

Alex groaned.

"See? That's exactly the reaction I'm talking about."

Lucas reached up and cupped his face. Immediately Alex stopped talking as their eyes locked.

"You worry too much."

"And you don't worry enough."

"Maybe." Lucas smiled. "But one of us has to stay calm."

Alex shook his head.

"You call this calm?"

"Absolutely." Lucas's thumb brushed against his cheek. "My love, I'm done running."

The smile disappeared from his face. “And I'm done pretending."

His eyes held Alex's. "If she wants the divorce, we'll finalize it."

"If she doesn't?" Lucas didn't hesitate. "Then I'll make sure it happens."

Alex searched his face. Looking for uncertainty or any doubt but found none..

Lucas had made up his mind, completely. The realization sent warmth through Alex despite the situation.

Lucas stepped even closer.

"So stop thinking about leaving and give me some sugar.”

He leaned in and kissed him.