Chapter 118
"Will you try to get along with Mrs. Sharp?" Juliana's voice was soft, her eyes reddening. "If she really changes, that's great for everyone. And if she doesn't, Mommy won't let you get hurt."
The two boys looked at each other and answered in unison. "Okay."
The car pulled up to the Sharp family estate. As Juliana unbuckled her seatbelt, she spotted Lucas standing by the entrance.
He was backlit, silhouetted against the lights. He'd obviously been waiting a while.
Lucas walked over and opened the car door.
He pulled Juliana gently into his arms.
"You've had a long day," Lucas said quietly. The driver had already called and filled him in on everything—he knew exactly what Juliana had endured for him and the kids.
"I know you agreed to all this for me. For them."
Tears spilled down Juliana's cheeks, soaking into Lucas's shirt.
She held him tight. She'd been hurting too, hadn't she? Feeling wounded and alone?
Ashley's relentless attacks, the veiled threats in every word—they were like dull knives dragging across her heart over and over. For the children's sake, she could endure it, could back down. But the pain of being hurt like that never really went away.
Lucas's understanding was like a warm current, finally giving her pent-up grief an outlet.
Damian and Matthew sat in the back seat, quietly watching their parents embrace.
They didn't fully understand the adult world, but they could feel their mommy's vulnerability and their daddy's tenderness. Damian grabbed tissues from inside the car and handed them to Matthew. The boys silently agreed not to interrupt, just waiting patiently.
Lucas gently stroked Juliana's hair, letting her cry.
He knew she needed this release.
From Ashley's scheming to the school's harassment, Juliana had faced it all with strength. The pressure inside her had been building like a dam about to break.
After a long while, Juliana's tears finally stopped. She lifted her head from Lucas's chest, her face streaked with tears.
Lucas used his thumb to gently wipe away the remaining traces, his gaze tender.
"Let's go inside," he said softly, taking Juliana's hand and walking toward the door.
The kids got out of the car too. Damian took Juliana's other hand, while Matthew obediently followed behind Lucas. The family of four walked into the warmth of home together under the night sky.
"Mommy, are you okay?" Matthew asked worriedly.
Juliana managed a smile and shook her head. "Mommy's fine, sweetheart. Just a little tired."
Lucas sat beside Juliana and pulled her into his arms, letting her rest her head on his shoulder. "Get some good rest tonight. I've got everything handled."
Juliana closed her eyes, feeling Lucas's warmth.
She knew this calm was temporary.
……
Late that night, after the children had fallen asleep in their rooms, Juliana and Lucas sat on the balcony. The night breeze carried a slight chill.
"Do you really think your mom will change?" Juliana asked quietly.
Lucas held her hand, his fingertips tracing patterns on the back of it. "She won't change easily. But she knows now that you and the kids are my line in the sand. She can't act like she used to."
"And the school..."
"The school situation is handled. She bought it, but the staff will be reorganized. The kids can keep going there." Lucas paused. "Her move today wasn't really about making peace. It was about showing she still has power over you and the children's lives."
Lucas's analysis made Juliana's chest tighten. Ashley's every move had layers of meaning.
"So what are you going to do?"
Lucas's gaze drifted into the distance, the night deep and dark.
"If she wants to put on a show, we'll play along. But we keep control." He turned to look at Juliana, his eyes intense. "You just protect yourself and the kids. Leave everything else to me."
His words hit Juliana hard in the chest.
She squeezed his hand tightly. Everything she wanted to say dissolved into silent trust in that moment.
……
The next day, Lucas had some rare free time and went into the kitchen himself.
Juliana leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching him bring out plate after plate of fragrant dishes. A CEO who rarely cooked, who could only manage simple home-style meals—yet it warmed her heart completely.
"Come eat," Lucas said, his voice low.
Juliana walked over, picked up her utensils, and took a bite. The flavor was fresh and perfectly balanced.
"Good?"
Juliana nodded. "Really good."
After the meal, the kids went to their rooms to do homework while Juliana and Lucas sat in the living room.
They'd barely started to relax when Lucas's face went pale. His brow furrowed, his hand pressing against his abdomen as his body curled slightly.
"What's wrong?" Juliana immediately noticed and moved to support him.
"Same old problem," he said hoarsely, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Juliana didn't ask more questions. She helped him back to the bedroom, pulled out her needle case, and carefully sterilized everything. The silver needles danced between her fingertips.
The only sounds in the bedroom were the subtle puncture of needles breaking skin and Lucas's controlled breathing. Juliana was completely focused, sweat beading on her temple too.
"The new medication... it's almost ready. After that, you won't have to suffer like this anymore."
Lucas didn't respond, his breathing heavy.
She placed the last needle and leaned down to check on him.
The moment her face came close, an arm wrapped around her waist.
Lucas opened his eyes. Those deep eyes were especially bright in the dim light.
He didn't say anything, just lowered his head and kissed her.
The kiss carried the bitterness of medicinal herbs and his distinct masculine scent—powerful yet tender.
She closed her eyes and kissed him back.
……
In Damian and Matthew's bedroom, soft light glowed. Both boys had finished washing up and sat on the carpet in their pajamas, each flipping through a comic book.
Matthew closed his comic and turned to look at Damian.
"Dami," he said quietly, "do you think Grandma will really change?"
Damian's brow furrowed. He didn't answer right away.
That domineering old woman actually humbling herself, acting like that?
"I don't know," Damian finally said.
Ashley's transformation left him feeling uneasy.