Chapter 38
When it was done, Lucas straightened, wiping moisture from the corner of his mouth. His voice came out raw and hoarse.
"Out."
The doctor and David exchanged glances before silently retreating from the room. The door closed. David leaned against the hallway wall and exhaled a long breath. Tonight had been more intense than his entire past decade combined. He'd known Lucas for years—he'd never seen him lose control like this.
After a while, Lucas emerged, his expression restored to its usual glacial composure.
"She's stable."
David pulled out a cigarette, offering one. Lucas waved it away.
"You've fallen for her." David lit his own.
Lucas said nothing.
"Let me remind you," David exhaled a stream of smoke, "you're not some twenty-year-old kid who can throw everything away for love. The entire Sharp family is counting on you. Your engagement to the Hales involves countless interests. You know exactly what's at stake. Have your fun, but don't get serious."
Lucas's lips curved into something dark. Before he could respond, a nurse rushed from the room.
"Mr. Sharp! The patient's awake!"
Lucas's words died. He turned and pushed open the door.
On the bed, Juliana's eyes were indeed open.
"Juliana?" Lucas approached cautiously, testing her name.
No response.
The doctor had warned the drug could cause complete system failure—turning her into a shell kept alive only by medication. Lucas's heart sank steadily. He waved his hand in front of her face. Those beautiful eyes didn't even blink.
"The Hale family no longer needs to exist." Lucas's voice was soft, almost gentle.
David's stomach dropped. "Lucas, she's not worth destroying everything over."
Lucas turned his head. "I gave them a chance."
The words barely left his mouth before the door slammed open. Ashley rushed in, supported by two servants.
"You want to destroy the Hale family over that bitch? Lucas, have you lost your mind! Your engagement to Bee was set years ago. Our families are intertwined in countless ways. Move against the Hales now and the Sharps suffer too!"
"So be it."
"You—!" Ashley's chest heaved with fury. "I don't care! I've decided on this marriage! Give me an answer right now—that Wells woman or Bee. Who do you choose!"
David watched from the sidelines, scalp prickling. He wanted to intervene but swallowed his words. These two were equally stubborn.
Lucas was silent for several long seconds. Just when Ashley thought he might compromise, his lips parted.
"Juliana."
The single word wasn't loud, but it landed like a sledgehammer to Ashley's heart.
"Why..."
The faint feminine voice exploded in Lucas's ears like thunder. He whipped around. The woman on the bed had turned her head. Her eyes held a glimmer of awareness.
"Juliana!"
Overwhelming joy crashed through him, obliterating every shred of his usual control. He bent down, cupped her pale face in both hands, and kissed her without hesitation.
This kiss held no desire—only the sheer relief of getting back something precious he'd thought lost forever. He could still taste the bitter antidote lingering on his own lips.
Crash!
A vial shattered at the doorway. Ashley turned. Bianca stood there, having just arrived ready to perform her apology act. She clutched another small vial in her white-knuckled grip—the antidote she'd dug out of a dumpster like a madwoman. She'd rushed here to beg Lucas's forgiveness one last time.
Instead, she'd walked into this.
"Ahhh—!"
Bianca's sanity snapped completely.
"Lucas! Juliana! You disgusting cheaters!"
Lucas slowly straightened. "David."
"Yes!" David snapped to attention.
"Take them away."
David grabbed one woman in each arm, dragging the shrieking Bianca and trembling Ashley toward the exit. "Mom, you just recovered. Don't get worked up. Let me take you home." He shot Bianca a warning look. "Ms. Hale, please calm down. We're in a hospital—think of the optics."
He practically carried the two troublemakers out, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.
Finally, blessed silence.
Juliana's mind was still foggy, but basic awareness had returned. She could feel her body—light, weak, but that suffocating paralysis was gone. She vaguely remembered, just before losing consciousness completely, someone feeding her something in a clumsy, almost rough way.
Lucas.
"You..." Juliana's throat was parched, her voice hoarse. "Why did you choose me?"
A secret flutter rose in her chest, one she barely dared acknowledge.
Lucas looked into her eyes, now bright with returning life. The crushing weight that had pressed on his chest all night finally lifted. He pulled over a chair and sat, resuming his usual cool detachment.
"We're partners." His tone was matter-of-fact. "You've been an excellent partner. You saved my mother and nearly died doing it. Protecting you was the right thing to do."
Partners.
The light that had just begun to glow in Juliana's eyes dimmed.
So that's all it was. Of course. What else could it be? A bitter smile tugged at her lips.
Lucas's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and answered.
"Mr. Sharp, Hale Group stock has hit limit down. Should we... continue?"
Lucas's gaze fell on Juliana's pale cheeks, the purple needle marks dotting the back of her hand.
"Continue. Before dawn, I want to see them file for bankruptcy protection."
He ended the call and looked back at Juliana. Since he'd mentioned their partnership, she forced herself into professional mode.
"Mr. Sharp, thank you. As compensation, I'll..." Her instincts kicked in, reaching for the most practical form of repayment. "I'll see your mother's treatment through to complete recovery. And if the Sharp family ever needs medical assistance in the future, I'm at your service."
The moment the words left her mouth, Lucas's expression visibly darkened.
"Is that all we are to you?"