Chapter 163 The One
But, as the morning the sun penetrated, recalling the moment she gave up on her virginity just to turn Luke against his brother threw her back to the world.
She failed to realize how depraved she was becoming in order to ruin him.
‘What have I done? How… How can I be so immoral?’ With tears glistening in her eyes, she glanced at Luke and back to herself.
The more she stared at him, an unforeseen heat began to burst in her body. Her mind began to sway. Her hand extending to touch him but realizing her position, she curled it in a fist and pulled back.
‘No. This has to end. Now.’ Driven by a sudden burst of determination, she scrambled to grab her things and fled before he could wake.
Peach knew she couldn’t fall any lower than this. If that meant crushing Luke’s heart, she would do it.
She had to.
Though Luke’s felicity was extreme. The grin was never ending when he returned. His cheeriness was felt in the air.
Helena noticed her brother’s glee and smirked, “Woah. What’s with this shine on your face, huh?”
“I think,” He paused, facing her with his aesthetic grin, “I am in love.”
Her mouth left hanging, “No way! With who!? Peach…?!”
Luke blinked, stunned. “How could you tell?”
Helena chuckled sheepishly. “I just have a habit of spotting… one-sided lovers.” She was thinking of Arabella, but the jab went over Luke's head.
Luke laughed a little, scratching the back of his neck nervously, “I think she is the one, Helena.”
And turned to her with a grievous expression, “And she will go back to London after our final semester.”
“What are you going to do then?”
"I don’t know. I know it sounds abrupt but I think… I am going to propose," Luke said, the words tumbling out dream, his face burning red only by mentioning.
“Are you sure?”
"Peach... She's the one, Helena. I know it. I can’t let her go. I have to give her a heavy offer to make her stay."
Helena’s eyes widened. “This is a big commitment. Are you sure you can handle it?”
"It’s her. For the past four years. It’s always been her. She just needs someone to teach her how to love." he insisted, his voice rising, an unbreakable resolve plastered on his features.
"I will propose and gain that position.”
"Proposing?"
The voice came from the doorway. William stood there, a warm, genuine grin emerging on his face.
He walked forward, his hand extended to clap Luke’s shoulder—the same protective, fatherly gesture.
"Luke, that’s incredible news. I knew there was something between you two.” William chuckled softly, his eyes full of pride.
“Is this why you didn't answer last night? I was worried, but if it was for this..." He smirked only to receive a frown brimming on Luke’s face yet it didn’t bulge William's felicity.
"Tell me everything. How are you going to do it? Do you need help with the arrangements? I can-"
"Stop it!" Luke roared, flinching away from William. William blinked standing still in disbelief and confusion.
The kitchen went silent. William’s hand hung in the air, his smile faltering.
Helena gasped, hitting his chest, "Luke? What is wrong with you?! He is just happy for you-" Luke caught her wrist before darting his eyes to William.
"He is always 'happy' for me, aren't you?" Luke hissed, the poison Peach had planted finally blooming. Folding his arms at his chest, his eyes narrowed harshly.
"Always watching me. Always 'checking in.' You’re not my father, William. Stop interfering in everything."
William stepped back, his face turning pale to hear that, "I... I just wanted to be part of your joy, Luke."
"My joy has nothing to do with you." Luke shouted, his voice cracking with the weight of Peach’s manipulation. He was no longer in control of his own thoughts.
"Stay out of my business. Stay out of my head. I’m tired of being your project. Just leave me the hell alone!"
Luke turned and stormed out, the front door slamming with the sound echoing everywhere.
William stood frozen, the sweet, happy light in his eyes replaced by a hollow, broken stare. He looked at Helena, his lip trembling.
"I thought... I thought we were okay," William whispered, unwanted tears filling his gaze before retreating his steps.
“I… I will talk to that asshole. You stay here. He must have a reason.” Helena reassured, giving his hand an assuring squeeze before going after Luke to scold him for his behaviour.
William stood stunned, his blurry sight on the floor. Believing the weight of his past sins would never be eradicated and considering it a punishment.
He almost believed he deserved it until a hand appeared out of nowhere, holding a few romance books.
“Hey, I came to give Helena this– William?”
Though she was working on ‘moving on’ but one tear reviving her devotional side. Throwing her books on the table, she tiptoed to wipe his tears with her thumb.
“What happened? Why do you look so pale? Who hurt you? Why the tears?”
His eyes widened, staring at the woman for whom his desire was growing uncontrollable. Her hands trembled, panicking at his pain.
“Arabella…?” How did she know so precisely?
His heart began to thump madly, throat drying, she couldn’t endure his wreckage and pulled back.
“Is everything alright? Did Helena say something? I will talk to her.” Growling, she turned to search for her but William held her wrist.
“No- No, it’s…”
Softening her features, she whispered sincerely, “You can tell me anything. I will listen.”
WIlliam glanced at the room upstairs. His shadow, reminding the loneliness and back to Arabella, standing here as his support.
‘What more could I possibly ask when the biggest supporter is before me?’
With this thought, he poured his heart out, telling her how Luke shouted. An unwanted tear rolled down, looking down sorrowfully at his laps.
“I-I don’t know what I did wrong… I was just trying to help but he got furious, Bella. Am I a bad brother? Was I restricting him?”
“Hmph. Don’t be a fool, William. Luke is a certified asshole.” Arabella scoffed, cursing Luke endlessly in her heart.
“He must be going through his moods or has found someone who can actually challenge his insensitivity.” Still, for William, she tried to use convincing words. William wiped his tears, glancing at her.
“Since you have brought him like a bratty child, you had to deal with the tantrums too. That's what spoiled kids do.” She explained, reliving when the anguish was fading from William’s face, replacing it with a look of understanding.
“Why don’t you just smack him? Oh, that will be so satisfactory.”
He finally let out a weak chuckle, “You know I can’t do that.”
“But, I want to.”
“Why?”
“Because he hurt you,” she said firmly, gathering her things to leave. “And I hate everything that hurts you.”
It was at this moment, William was hit by a truck of realization.
He had fallen in love with Arabella. There was no turning back anymore.