Chapter 165 Good Man For Her?
Luke stood outside the front door for a long time, the suspension letter crumpled in his pocket and his heart consumed by an inexplicable amount of guilt.
The arrogance that had defined him for four years was gone, replaced by a stinging shame. The Dean’s words of William plea echoed in his mind.
He finally stepped inside. The house was quiet, the air still heavy with the echoes of his earlier outburst.
Helena was in the kitchen, her expression softening the moment she saw his shattered state, rushing to his side.
“Luke?”
"I…” He swallowed his sobbing, slamming the suspension papers on the counter, “I messed up, Helena,"
Unwanted tears formed a screen, he was shaking very badly. The insulting feeling was too much for him.
"I lost everything. The degree... the girl... my pride." He finally looked up with a tear rolling down, “And William.”
Helena placed a steadying hand on his shoulder, "You didn't lose your family, Luke. We all are here for you. Especially William. Go to him."
“Do you think he will forgive me?” He sniffed, wiping the tear with his sleeves.
She smiled, “He will.”
Luke swallowed hard, nodding.
With guilt stacking in his chest, he found William in the study, staring out the window at the gray sky while smoking. His empty gaze staring into nothingness.
"William…."
“I got a call from the university.”
“I.. I didn’t force anyone. She- She is lying–” He whimpered, trying to justify only to get cut off dominantly.
“I know. I trust you.”
His brother turned, his eyes searching Luke’s face. Before William could speak, Luke’s voice broke, letting a miserable sobbing.
"I-I am sorry. I was a fool. I didn’t mean to hurt you, my brother… I am so sorry…” He cried a little, tears spilling from his cheek.
“I let... I let someone get inside my head and turn me against the only person who ever truly cared for me. Please, I didn't mean any of it."
William didn't hesitate and extended his hand out, “Hey, hey, hey,”
He crossed the room in long strides and pulled Luke into a crushing embrace. The tension bled out of Luke as he sobbed into his brother's shoulder.
"I don't have anyone but you guys," William whispered, forcing a trembling smile as he wiped his tears.
"If you abandon me, Luke... where would I go? I have no world outside of this family."
"I will never abandon you," Luke choked out, clutching William’s shirt as he used to do in childhood, never letting him go.
"Never again. Please, forgive me this time. I was so blind." He begged, clinging onto the support he had..
"You're home," William murmured, patting his back, "That's all that matters."
Though William had forgiven Luke. He glanced at his sibling, for whom he would do anything without a second thought.
And then, he glances at Arabella, the woman he believed would never hurt him, ever.
The one he believes can grant him love he never received.
"You can't sit here forever, you know," Helena said, standing next to Luke who had become empty and heart-broken.
"I don't know what to do next," Luke admitted, "Everything I thought I wanted turned out to be a lie."
Helena followed his gaze to the living room window. Inside, William was laughing- a genuine, light sound they hadn't heard in years.
He was talking to Arabella, who was gesturing wildly with a book in her hand, her eyes sparkling as she made William smile.
"Maybe you have been looking in the wrong direction for love," Helena suggested gently.
Luke looked at his sister, confused. "What do you mean?"
"Look at Arabella," Helena whispered, nodding toward the window.
"She stayed when things were ugly. She protected William when you couldn't. She’s loyal, she’s fierce, and she’s already a part of us."
Luke watched Arabella. For the first time, he didn't see her as just a family friend or an annoyance.
He saw the warmth she brought into the room, a warmth that didn't come with strings or traps. She was moving on but whenever she saw William, her love revived.
“You think so, Helena?”
“You don’t believe in me?” She smirked, poking his shoulder.
“I mean, she is an extremely good girl.” He chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck.
“I-I don’t think that someone like me should be with her. She needs a good man… not someone like me,”
“Why don’t you become a good man?”
Helena suggested softly, seeing how Luke was staring at Arabella talking wholesomely with William.
When they smiled, he smiled as well, placing his hand over his heart, trailing off.
“A good man for her… huh?” Luke felt a twitch, recalling the moment with Peach but ignoring it. He shook his head and walked away.
On the other hand, William told her delightfully that he had reconciled with his brother.
“And I didn’t have to smack him either.” William said proudly.
She pouted, “Shit.”
William laughed, a musical, peaceful one, pinching her cheeks, bringing a crimson blush on her cheeks.
“Oh, why do you look after me so much, Bella?”
She could feel her heart pounding rapidly. Unable to control herself, she stepped closer, placing her palm under his hand.
“That’s something I have no control over.”
William opened his mouth but ended up coughing. Arabella instantly poured him some water, amplifying the attraction.
“You should have soaked your almonds before eating them dry.” She sighed.
“How could you tell?” He asked, no longer surprised while sipping his water.
“Yes. And you have the skin stuck in your teeth.” She giggled, embarrassing him a little. He looked away sheepishly.
She glanced at Luke who climbed the stair which converted into a glare. Luke felt her eyes, he smirked, trying to subdue his pain and commented teasingly by glancing over his shoulder.
“What? Why are you glaring? Are you going to push me off the stairs?”
“Watch out, asshole, one day I might.” She hissed, pointing her finger at him.
He chuckled, shaking his head, going back to his room.
On the other hand,
London rain was as cold as the regret pooling in Peach’s chest. She sat in the back of a black car. In her palm, she clutched the navy velvet box. She hadn't been able to leave it behind.
She had won her revenge, but the silence of her empty heart was much more impactful than any victory.
“It’s alright… it doesn't matter. It’s okay…” She tried to justify her action.
She was going home to a father who wouldn't notice she was back, leaving behind the only man who had ever truly looked at her.
“I mean,” She laughed dryly, staring out of the window with tears glistening on her cheeks.
“Love isn’t the only painful thing in the world after all….”