Chapter 129 Family Reunion
Lucian's POV
The hospital room was quiet except for Ash's steady breathing. I waited until his chest rose and fell in the deep rhythm of sleep before stepping into the hallway and pulling out my phone.
Dominic answered on the second ring. "It's late."
"Ash's condition is stable," I said without preamble. "The doctors cleared him for discharge next week."
A pause. Then, "Good. That's good to hear." His voice warmed slightly. "Friday evening. The manor. I'm hosting a family dinner to formally announce your return to Sterling affairs."
I leaned against the wall, watching nurses move past with quiet efficiency. "Julian's reaction?"
"Resistant at first, as expected. But he's been calmer lately. I think he's accepting the situation." Dominic's tone carried satisfaction. "It's what I always hoped for, you know. My sons working together. Real brotherhood."
I almost laughed. Dominic saw what he wanted to see, blind to the reality that Julian and I would never be allies. His naive faith in blood ties would be his downfall.
"I can finally rest easy," Dominic continued. "Knowing the company is in capable hands. Both of you."
"You can count on me," I said smoothly. "I won't let you down."
---
Julian's POV
"You're still planning to move out?" father asked.
I didn't look up from the contract I was reviewing. "Yes."
"Julian." His voice hardened. "This is your home. Your brother is coming back to the family. Running away won't—"
"Willow and I are living together," I interrupted.
He stopped mid-sentence. His mouth opened, then closed. Personal matters, especially ones involving the Davenport alliance, were territory he wouldn't push into.
"I see," he said finally. "Well. That's your decision."
I stood and began gathering my things. My car was already waiting at the gate. I took one last look at the manor's imposing facade, then walked out without looking back.
The drive to the new apartment gave me too much time to think. My hands gripped the steering wheel as the city lights blurred past.
There was no going back now. The moment I'd agreed to Willow's plan to bring Briar back into my life, I'd set things in motion that couldn't be stopped. Then Dominic had dropped the news about Lucian returning, and everything had accelerated.
I'd chosen to continue the alliance with Willow, using the Davenport family's influence to keep Lucian in check. It was strategic. Necessary.
But lately, a different thought had been nagging at me. If Briar could accept Lucian, another Sterling, maybe she could eventually accept me too. Maybe I could learn whatever it was that made her look at him differently. Maybe I could become someone she didn't flinch away from.
The idea was pathetic and I knew it. But I couldn't let it go.
---
Willow's POV
The intercom buzzed just as I was reviewing campaign analytics.
"Ms. Davenport, there's a Mr. Montgomery here to see you," the security guard said. "Should I send him up?"
Montgomery. Devon. I kept my voice pleasant. "Please escort him to the guest parlor. I'll be down shortly."
I took my time finishing my work, letting him wait. Power dynamics started the moment someone walked through your door. By the time I descended to the parlor thirty minutes later, Devon was pacing near the windows.
"I apologize for the delay," I said, moving to the tea service. "I was tidying up."
"No need to apologize." Devon's smile was practiced. "However long the wait, it's worth it."
I poured tea with deliberate care, then settled across from him. "Have you considered what we discussed last time?"
The memory surfaced easily. I'd run into Devon at the Regulatory Bureau two weeks ago, both of us there to see the director for very different reasons.
Montgomery Medical was drowning in negative press after their contaminated supplement scandal. Devon had been there to smooth over the food safety inspection process, probably with a generous donation.
I'd approached him in the lobby with calculated casualness. "Mr. Montgomery. Difficult times?"
His jaw had tightened. "Nothing we can't handle."
"I could help," I'd offered. "If you're interested."
He'd refused then, pride getting in the way. But days later, Briar had nearly destroyed him at that press conference. Now he was here, pride swallowed.
---
"I've thought about it," Devon said, setting down his cup. "What do you want in return?"
"Nothing."
His eyebrows rose. "Nothing?"
"Well." I smiled. "Have you ever hated someone? Really, truly wanted to see them suffer?"
Understanding flickered across his face.
"I'll have something delivered to you tonight," I continued. "What you do with it is entirely your decision. I'm simply providing information."
Devon nodded slowly. "Understood."
After he left, I had the documents couriered to his office. Then I turned my attention to more immediate matters. Dominic had summoned me to the manor for dinner, mentioning an important announcement.
When I arrived, the atmosphere was different. The staff moved with unusual energy, and Dominic actually smiled when he greeted me at the door.
---
The dining room was already set when I arrived, four place settings arranged with formal precision. Julian entered just as the staff finished plating, pausing to scan the chairs before deliberately sitting between Dominic's seat and mine.
Dominic entered with his usual commanding presence, but there was something different. A lightness to his expression I rarely saw as he glanced toward the entrance hall with poorly concealed anticipation. We were waiting for someone important enough to make him smile like that.
I listened to the sounds from the entrance hall, piecing together clues. Dominic wouldn't make this much effort for anyone ordinary. Calling only Julian and me meant this was family business. Combined with the recent executive reshuffling at Sterling Corp, where Dominic had created a position parallel to Julian's, it pointed to one conclusion.
He was balancing power. Which meant the guest was someone significant enough to rival Julian's position.
The eldest Sterling son. The one who'd never been publicly acknowledged.
Footsteps approached, accompanied by a voice declining the butler's offer to help with his coat. "No need, thank you. I can manage."
The voice was familiar. My hand tightened around my spoon.
Lucian Kincaid walked into the dining room, perfectly at ease, and took his seat with the confidence of someone who belonged.
My mind went blank for three seconds. Then the implications cascaded.
"Willow, this is my son, Lucian Sterling," Dominic said, beaming. "Lucian, this is Willow Davenport, Julian's fiancée."
We exchanged pleasantries like strangers, the lie sitting comfortably between us. Lucian's smile was warm and entirely fake. Mine probably was too.
Throughout dinner, only Dominic and I maintained conversation. Julian sat rigid, barely touching his food, radiating hostility. Lucian participated when directly addressed but otherwise stayed quiet.
I pushed food around my plate, mind racing through the puzzle pieces.
Julian clearly knew about Lucian's identity. He'd known when he told me about Briar and Lucian being together. He'd assumed I wouldn't care, or he would have used this information to force them apart already.
But Briar didn't know. I was certain of it. Her reaction to the Ash situation proved she couldn't tolerate deception. If she knew Lucian was a Sterling, she wouldn't have stayed calm.
Which meant the breakup my sources reported wasn't real. It was Lucian's strategy for returning to the family without complications.
A smile tugged at my lips as I took a sip of wine.
What would happen when she discovered the man she loved had been lying about his identity from the very beginning? That he was part of the family she despised?
The collapse of trust was so much more devastating than a simple breakup.
This was going to be interesting.