Chapter 73

Chapter 73
Chapter 73
LUCAS

I'd damaged something today. Something precious. And it was going to take more than one conversation and one round of sex to repair it.
I pulled out carefully and went to the bathroom, returning with a warm washcloth. Sophia watched me with tired eyes as I cleaned her gently, my touch tender now where it had been rough before.
"What are you doing?" she asked softly.
"Taking care of you. I was rough. I need to make sure you're okay."
"I liked it." A faint smile crossed her face. "I like when you lose control like that."
"Still." I finished cleaning her and tossed the washcloth aside, then pulled her back into my arms. "Let me hold you for a minute."
We lay in silence, and I tried to figure out what to do next. How to prove to Sophia that she mattered most. That Sofia was just a complication I was managing, not a threat to our marriage.
"Lucas?" Sophia's voice was quiet. "Can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"If you had to choose. If something happened and you could only save one of us—me or Sofia—who would you choose?"
The question was a trap. I knew it was a trap. But the answer was so obvious I didn't even have to think about it.
"You. Always you. Without hesitation." I tightened my arms around her. "Sophia, there is no choice. There's never been a choice. You're my wife. My family. The woman I love. Sofia is... she's someone I'm helping because it's the right thing to do. But you're everything."
She was quiet for so long I thought maybe she'd fallen asleep. Then: "Okay. I believe you."
But I could hear the doubt in her voice. The uncertainty. The fear that maybe I was lying, maybe I was just saying what she needed to hear.
I'd have to prove it with actions, not just words. Would have to show her through every choice, every moment, every day that she came first.
Starting now.
"I'm going to handle the Sofia situation differently going forward," I said. "More transparency with you. Less time alone with her. Clear boundaries. Whatever you need to feel secure."
"You don't have to do that—"
"I do. Because you matter more than Sofia's comfort or privacy. You're my priority, Sophia. I need you to know that."
She turned in my arms to face me, her expression vulnerable. "I'm scared, Lucas. Scared that one day you're going to realize I'm not enough. That you married me out of convenience and stayed out of obligation. That the contract wife isn't who you really want."
"Hey." I cupped her face, making her look at me. "You are enough. More than enough. You're everything I never knew I needed. And I didn't stay out of obligation—I stayed because I can't imagine my life without you."
"Promise?"
"I promise." I kissed her softly. "I love you, Sophia Davenport. I love you so much it scares me sometimes. The thought of losing you—" I stopped, my throat tight. "I can't lose you. Do you understand? You're not the expendable one in this marriage. You're the entire fucking point."
She kissed me then, slow and deep and thorough. When she pulled back, her eyes were wet.
"I love you too," she whispered. "Even when I'm scared. Even when I doubt. I love you, Lucas."
The words settled something in my chest. We were okay. Damaged maybe, but okay. We'd survive this.
As long as I kept proving it to her. As long as I kept choosing her.
Every single time.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand. I ignored it.
"You should check that," Sophia said. "It might be important."
"Nothing's more important than you."
But she was already reaching for it, handing it to me with a small smile. "Check it. I'm okay. Really."
It was Jose: How'd it go? You still married?
I typed back: Still married. Thanks for the push.
His response was immediate: Good. Now figure out the Sofia situation before it causes more problems. And Lucas? Next time, choose your wife first. Every time.
He was right. He was absolutely right.
I set the phone aside and pulled Sophia closer, breathing in the vanilla scent of her hair.
"Adam's probably going to wake up soon," she murmured. "We should get dressed."
"In a minute." I wasn't ready to let her go yet. "Just let me hold you for a few more minutes."
She relaxed against me, and I felt some of the tension from the day finally ease.
We were okay. We'd figure this out. I'd fix the Sofia situation, I'd be more transparent with Sophia, I'd prove every day that she was my choice.
Starting tomorrow.
Right now, I just needed to hold my wife and remember why I was fighting so hard to keep her.
Because losing her wasn't an option.
Not now. Not ever.
Even if it meant making impossible choices.
Even if it meant potentially betraying Sofia's trust by being more honest with Sophia.
My wife came first.
Always.
I just had to make sure she knew that.
And that I never forgot it again.