Chapter 319

Chapter 319

Juliana's mind was still circling that massive, tangled network diagram of Blackbird. Being hit with such a pink-bubble piece of news threw her for a loop.

"He?" Juliana rubbed her temples. "David? Isn't his life motto something like 'I walk through a garden of flowers but never let a single petal stick to me'?"

"To hell with his motto!" Chloe said on the other end, but the smugness in her voice was practically spilling through the screen. "He said it yesterday. His exact words were that his 'crappy flower garden' needed to be bulldozed so he could plant me instead. Can you believe this guy? Even his proposal was ridiculous."

Juliana couldn't help but laugh.

That was definitely something David would do.

"Congratulations." The congratulations was sincere. After everything they'd been through, a bit of purely good news was enough to dispel a lot of darkness.

"Congratulations isn't enough!" Chloe's tone shifted. "You have to be my maid of honor!"

"Me?"

"Yes, you! It has to be you!" Chloe's tone left no room for argument.

Juliana instinctively looked down at her now-obvious baby bump and smiled helplessly. "Chloe, I... I don't think I'll fit in your bridesmaid dress."

The other end went silent for two seconds.

"Oh my God, I totally forgot! You're about to pop, aren't you?" Chloe smacked her forehead in frustration. "No, I don't care if you're about to give birth—you're still coming! Who cares about the dress? I'll have a designer make you a custom one! You're my only family. If you don't come, who am I even getting married for?"

That last sentence softened Juliana's heart.

"Okay," she agreed. "I'll be there."

That evening when Lucas came home, Juliana was leaning on the couch reading a parenting book.

He walked over and naturally sat beside her, placing his hand over her belly, feeling the restless movements of the little one inside.

"Tired today?"

"Not too bad." Juliana set down the book and turned to look at him. "I have good news."

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

"David's getting married. To Chloe."

Lucas's expression froze for a moment, then a strange, indescribable look crept across his face.

"David?"

"Yes, him." Juliana mimicked his earlier tone and nodded. "He also said his 'crappy flower garden' needed bulldozing so he could plant Chloe instead."

Lucas fell silent.

After a long moment, a low laugh emerged from his throat. He shook his head like he'd just heard the year's best joke.

"He really dares to say anything."

"The wedding's next weekend. Chloe asked me to be her maid of honor."

Lucas's gaze fell on her belly. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Did they arrange a stretcher for you?"

Juliana shot Lucas an annoyed look. "They're making me a custom dress."

Lucas hummed in acknowledgment and didn't continue the topic. He just pulled her closer into his arms, his chin resting on top of her head.

"That's good," he said. "Go soak up some happiness."

David's wedding wasn't held at some five-star hotel. He'd rented out a private estate in the suburbs.

Juliana wore a lotus-pink bridesmaid dress custom-made for her. The fabric was soft, the cut loose, cleverly concealing her baby bump while making her look even more radiant and gentle than usual.

Lucas stood beside her in a perfectly tailored dark suit that made him look tall and steady.

His gaze swept the surroundings constantly, like an alert panther.

"Relax a little," Juliana whispered. "No one's going to kidnap a pregnant woman here."

"You never know," Lucas said without changing expression. "You're pretty valuable."

Juliana fell silent.

In a nearby lounge, David wore a white suit today, looking every inch the gentleman—except his expression was a bit stiff.

Lucas walked over with a glass of champagne, casually leaning against the doorframe.

When everyone saw him, they wisely cleared a path.

"Mr. Sharp."

Lucas ignored the ribbing and just looked at David, his gaze carrying a hint of amused scrutiny.

"I remember last year someone pounded the table and told me marriage was love's graveyard, and he'd rather die than give up his freedom. What happened? Racing to reincarnate already?"

David choked on Lucas's words, his face flushing red.

"It's my big day. Don't curse me." David adjusted his bow tie irritably. "Times change. I just hadn't met someone who could make me willingly walk into that graveyard."

"Is that so?" Lucas took two steps closer and clapped him on the shoulder, lowering his voice so only they could hear.

"I think you're just afraid if you don't act fast, Chloe will run off with someone else."

David's movements froze.

He looked up and met Lucas's all-knowing eyes. Finally, he deflated like a balloon.

"Alright, can you please stop roasting me?" David's face was miserable. "I've been so nervous I haven't slept since last night."

A soft laugh escaped Lucas's lips.

He pressed the champagne glass into David's hand. "Drink. Steady your nerves."

Then Lucas turned and, under everyone's entertained gazes, walked out leisurely and returned to Juliana's side.

The ceremony began shortly after.

When Chloe walked down the aisle toward David waiting at the end, this perpetually irreverent man's eyes actually reddened.

The sunlight was perfect. The breeze gentle.

Juliana felt her hand being held.

She turned her head. Lucas was looking at her, her reflection caught in those unfathomable eyes.

He said nothing. Just tightened his grip on their clasped hands.

Halfway through the ceremony, an unseasonable commotion arose at the estate entrance.

Several middle-aged men and women, dressed completely out of place, were being blocked by security. The man leading them, pot-bellied, had the loudest voice.

"We're the bride's family! Her own parents! What right do you have to keep us out?"

"Exactly! Bring her out here! If we don't get an explanation today, we're not leaving!"

Juliana was being helped to a seat in the rest area by Lucas. Hearing this, she instinctively frowned.

Lucas patted the back of her hand, signaling her to stay calm. His gaze turned cold as he glanced at David, who was clinking glasses with friends nearby.

David had obviously heard too.

The smile vanished from his face instantly. He set his glass down on a nearby table. The friends who'd been joking around fell silent.

"What's going on?"

"Just some flies. Annoying buzzing." David strode toward the entrance.

"David!" The man claiming to be Chloe's father's eyes lit up when he saw him, like he'd spotted a gold mine. "Perfect timing! Is this how you treat your wife's family? Blocking us out—is that appropriate?"

David looked them up and down. He didn't say a word to them, just tilted his head at the head of security.

"Break their legs. Throw them out."

The troublemakers' faces changed color.

"You wouldn't dare!"

"David, don't go too far! We're Chloe's elders!"

David laughed, but the amusement didn't reach his eyes.

"Elders?" He took a step forward. "Never raised Chloe for a single day, then tried to use her as a bargaining chip—that's what you call being an elder?"

"Today's my wedding. I don't want to see blood." David adjusted his snow-white cuffs, not even looking at them again. "So don't push me."

With that, David turned and walked away.

The security chief understood. With a wave of his hand, several black-suited guards stepped forward and lifted the troublemakers like chickens.

"You ungrateful brat! Chloe! Come out here!"

The cursing faded as they were dragged away, soon disappearing completely.

David returned to the banquet hall, that devil-may-care smile back on his face as if nothing had happened.

He walked straight to Chloe, who was having her makeup touched up, completely unaware of the scene that had just unfolded.

"Happy?" He circled her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.

Chloe pushed him away playfully. "No sense of propriety."