Chapter 226

Chapter 226
EVE

Dawn broke through the windows, but sleep had been impossible. In just a few hours, I'd be walking down the aisle to marry Lucas. The thought made my stomach turn.

When Sean's phone buzzed at 6:30 AM, I knew from his expression it wasn't good news. They'd found the nanny's body at an abandoned quarry on the west side, along with a stash of chemicals—the same ones that had poisoned my son. Summer was dead, but at least now we had proof of her involvement.

My phone buzzed. A message from Mrs. Brown with a photo attachment.

"Paternity test results," I showed Sean the screen.

The report clearly stated Logan wasn't the father of Julie's baby. Mrs. Brown's message read: [That lying bitch claimed my husband was the father. Test proves otherwise.]

By this point, I was certain in my mind that this child was the person impersonating Sean.

Afternoon arrived quickly, and I had two hours until I needed to meet Lucas at City Hall

"I should get ready," I said, my voice hollow.

Sean grabbed my wrist. "Don't do this."

"Noah needs that bone marrow. Lucas won't donate unless—"

"I'll find another donor."

"There's no time!" My voice broke. "The doctors said days, maybe hours."

Sean's face hardened. "I'll drive you."

I stared at him, stunned. "You're driving me to marry another man?"

"You think I'd let anyone else take you?" His voice dropped dangerously. "No fucking way Lucas gets to play hero today."

Two hours later, Sean parked near City Hall. The silence felt suffocating.

"So you're really doing this," he finally said.

I gripped my purse tight. "I don't have a choice."

"Everyone has a choice, Eve."

"Not when our son is dying." I turned to him. "Why aren't you stopping me? Why aren't you fighting this?"

Something flashed across his face. "Would it matter if I did?"

Lucas's silver Mercedes pulled up before I could answer. Sean's hand covered mine.

"One hour," he warned. "Then I'm coming after you."

Lucas knocked on my window. I stepped out, feeling Sean's gaze burning into me.

"Ready to become Mrs. James?" Lucas grinned, pulling me against him.

Sean got out, moving fast. He yanked me from Lucas's grip, arm sliding around my waist.

"She's not yours yet," Sean's voice was ice.

Lucas smirked. "Thirty minutes and that changes forever."

"We'll see." Sean's grip tightened.

Lucas checked his watch. "Three o'clock. Time to make this official."

I felt Sean's body tense beside me.

"Let's go," Lucas reached for me.

I stepped forward but Sean didn't release me.

"Sean," I whispered. "I have to."

His eyes—God, his eyes. They held so much pain. "Go," he finally said, dropping his arm.

Lucas grabbed my elbow. "Wait here like a good ex-husband."

Sean's face turned deadly. "I'm not going anywhere."

As Lucas dragged me toward the entrance, I heard Sean on the phone: "Aria, they're inside. Start the clock."

The next half hour passed in a haze. Signing papers. Answering questions. Feeling my life crumble with each signature.

"Congratulations, Mrs. James," the clerk handed us our certificate.

I wanted to vomit.

Outside, Sean waited by his car. His eyes zeroed in on the certificate in Lucas's hand.

Lucas waved it in Sean's face. "Official now. You should know when it's time to walk away, Winters."

"I've never been good at walking away," Sean said, moving closer.

Wind blew my hair across my face. Sean reached out, brushing it back, his fingers warm against my skin.

"Be careful," he whispered, for my ears only.

Lucas grabbed my wrist hard, yanking me to his side. "My wife and I have plans. You're not invited."

"Noah's doctors called," Sean said, ignoring Lucas completely. "He's responding to treatment. Bone marrow transplant scheduled for two days from now."

Lucas tightened his grip on me. "Great. I'll be there."

"Will you?" Sean's voice cut sharp. "Or should I be the one facing reality about who actually plans to save my son?"

Lucas pulled me toward his car. "Your concern for Noah is touching. Almost as touching as your obsession with my wife."

"Touch her like that again," Sean's voice dropped, "and you'll lose that hand."

Lucas laughed. "Threatening violence when you lose? That's what weak men do—resort to force because they've got nothing else."

As Lucas dragged me away, I noticed his grip had loosened slightly.

"Hey," Sean called out. "One more thing. Did you treat Rebecca the same way? No wonder she ditched you so fast."

Lucas stopped dead. His face went white.

"What did you say?" His voice barely audible.

"Rebecca," Sean repeated, watching closely. "Your ex."

Lucas's expression shifted. Confusion replaced anger. His hand pressed against his chest like he was in pain.

I studied him carefully. This wasn't just anger—this was genuine distress.

"Let's go," Lucas muttered, pulling me to his car.

The drive to his villa passed in total silence. Inside, I mentally mapped exits and security features.

"Hungry?" Lucas asked, heading to the kitchen.

"I don't cook," I stated flatly. "We need to hire someone."

He turned, eyebrows raised. "Really? Did you cook for Sean?"

"Who I cook for is my business."

"Hiring staff means giving your ex more spies in my house."

"Then cook yourself. I'm not your maid."

Lucas crossed his arms. "Fine. What do you want for dinner?"

I smiled sweetly. "Coq au vin with truffle mashed potatoes, and crème brûlée with Madagascar vanilla."

His eyes narrowed. "Testing me?"

"You asked what I wanted."

"Did Sean cook for you?" Lucas grabbed stuff from the fridge.

I shrugged. "Sometimes."

"Did Rebecca cook?" The question seemed to surprise even him.

"Rebecca? Your ex?" I watched his reaction.

His knife slammed into the cutting board. "Don't talk about things you don't understand."

"Which bedroom am I using?" I changed topics.

Lucas looked up, something dangerous in his eyes. "We're married. We share a bedroom."

My phone vibrated. A WhatsApp message from Sean: [DON'T YOU DARE SLEEP IN THE SAME ROOM WITH HIM!]

How did he know what we were discussing?

Another message: [I'm monitoring everything. If he touches you, I'll tear that house apart and bring you back.]

I typed quickly: [Don't worry. I'm investigating.]

His response: [THAT'S EXACTLY WHY I'M WORRIED.]

"Who are you texting?" Lucas demanded.

I pocketed my phone. "Nobody important."

While Lucas cooked, I slipped upstairs to check out the master bedroom. It felt cold and impersonal, all grays and blues. A strange sweet smell filled the air.

I traced it to an electronic diffuser on the nightstand. Leaning closer, I inhaled cautiously. Immediately, dizziness hit me. I stumbled back, vision blurring.

"Finding what you need?"

I spun around. Lucas stood in the doorway watching me.

"Just checking out my new room," I said, fighting the lightheadedness.

"Checking it out? Or reporting to your ex?" He moved toward me. "Are you his spy?"

I stepped back. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"It's our wedding night, Eve." His voice dropped. "You know what that means."

My phone vibrated again. Sean, probably watching through hidden cameras, absolutely furious.

"This marriage is just business," I said firmly. "You get revenge on Sean, I get bone marrow for Noah."

"Business or not," Lucas stepped closer, "you have wifely duties."

I backed up until I hit the wall. "This room—it smells weird. Did you share it with Rebecca?"

Lucas froze. "What?"

"Rebecca. You must have spent nights with her here."

His expression clouded with confusion. "Rebecca... was she my wife?"

That threw me. "What do you mean, 'was she your wife'? Don't you remember?"

"I remember..." he pressed his temples. "She was important."

"Your sister destroyed her baby," I said, watching him closely. "Melissa killed Rebecca's child."

Lucas's face twisted in rage. "No! You're full of shit! I'm not buying it!"

His eyes went wild. He lunged forward, hands closing around my throat.

"Was this your plan?" he hissed, squeezing tighter. "Did you and Winters set this up? Maybe if I destroy you, he'll finally know what it feels like to lose someone!"

Black spots danced in my vision. With my last breath, I gasped: "You and Rebecca had a baby—Aurora James."

His grip loosened instantly, eyes wide with shock. His hands fell as he clutched his head in agony.