Chapter 53
The next morning, Juliana dropped the children off at school and returned to the villa to find a familiar Bentley parked outside.
Lucas stepped out of the car. Behind him, his assistant was directing several bodyguards to unload things from the trunk.
Suits, dress shirts, ties, and... his pillow.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Lucas approached her, his expression perfectly casual. "The doctor said my stomach needs rest and twenty-four-hour care. Your body needs treatment too. Me living here is convenient for both of us."
Juliana was so furious she almost laughed at his shamelessness.
"Lucas, I already paid rent, which means this is my home! What gives you the right to move in?"
"Because I'm the father of your two children. And your patient."
"I don't agree!"
"Your objection is noted and overruled."
Lucas tilted his head toward his assistant.
"Take my things to the guest room on the second floor."
"Yes, sir."
The assistant led his team past her, brazenly carrying the man's belongings into her house, piece by piece.
Juliana stood frozen, watching this absurd scene unfold, too angry for words.
This man was an absolute tyrant!
The second day after Lucas forced his way in, Juliana spent the entire day in a foul mood.
The man was like a lion invading foreign territory. Even when he did nothing but quietly handle business in the study, his commanding presence was enough to change the atmosphere of the entire space.
The happiest ones were the two children.
On the way home from school, Damian leaned toward Matthew's ear, practically bouncing with excitement.
"Matty, my dad moved in! He's living with Mom!"
Matthew, his little backpack on, maintained his usual calm expression, though a barely perceptible smile flickered in his eyes. "Yeah."
"You think they're getting back together?" Damian nudged him with his elbow. "We gotta help them out!"
"How?" Matthew asked.
"Create opportunities!" Damian lowered his voice. "Like, after dinner, we could suggest watching a movie together as a family. A romance! Super romantic!"
Matthew thought for a moment, then nodded.
So after dinner, when Juliana finished cleaning up and emerged from the kitchen, she found the living room lights dimmed and the massive projection screen lowered. Two little figures, each clutching a bucket of popcorn, stared hopefully at her and Lucas, who'd just walked out of the study.
"Mommy, Daddy, let's watch a movie together!" Damian spoke first, shaking his popcorn bucket.
Juliana looked at the setup, somewhat helpless, but faced with her sons' expectant eyes, she couldn't bring herself to refuse.
Lucas showed no particular expression. He walked to the sofa and sat, long legs crossed, posture relaxed. "What are we watching?"
"'Roman Holiday'!" Damian announced the title like he was presenting a treasure.
Lucas raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
The movie began, black and white images flickering across the screen, illuminating the faces of the family of four. Juliana sat at the opposite end of the sofa, deliberately keeping her distance from Lucas.
The two little conspirators weren't satisfied with this. After a while, Matthew suddenly clutched his stomach and let out an "Ow."
"Mommy, my tummy hurts a little."
Juliana immediately tensed. "What's wrong? Where does it hurt?"
"I want some hot water," Matthew said softly.
Juliana stood to get it, but Damian immediately pulled her back. "Mommy, you stay with him. I'll go!"
Damian scurried off in a flash.
Matthew scooted closer to Juliana's side, then pointed toward Lucas. "Daddy, come closer. Help rub my tummy."
The intention behind this maneuver couldn't have been more obvious.
Juliana didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but she could only watch as Lucas stood and sat between her and Matthew.
The sofa was only so big. When he settled beside her, that familiar, commanding masculine presence enveloped her completely. Juliana's body stiffened involuntarily.
Lucas's hand was large, covering Matthew's small stomach as he gently rubbed in circles.
"Still hurting?" he asked.
Matthew shook his head and closed his eyes contentedly.
Damian returned with a glass of water. Seeing the scene, he smugly winked at his brother.
Mission accomplished!
However, they'd celebrated too soon.
The movie wasn't even halfway through when Lucas suddenly shut off the projector.
The living room instantly flooded with bright light.
"Free time is over." He stood, looking down at the three "audience members" lined up on the sofa. "Family activities are very meaningful."
The two little guys' hearts sank with an ominous feeling.
Sure enough, the next second, the man's lips parted to deliver two words.
"Study."
Damian's face fell. "Daddy... we have school tomorrow."
"Which is why you need to preview tonight." Lucas's tone brooked no argument. "Damian, get one more math formula wrong, and you'll copy it a hundred times."
He looked at Matthew and considered. "Matthew, it's time to add new content to your programming lessons."
Two little heads drooped instantly.
Juliana watched her sons' backs as they were mercilessly dragged off to study and finally couldn't hold back her laughter.
……
The next day, Juliana returned from work to find Lucas's car parked outside the villa.
"There's a business gala Friday night. You'll accompany me."
Juliana refused without hesitation. "I'm not going. That kind of event isn't appropriate for me."
"I'm your attending physician, not your date," she added.
Lucas looked at her, not the least bit annoyed. "Consider it... helping maintain your patient's good recovery mood."
The reasoning was shameless yet irrefutable.
Juliana frowned, searching for another excuse. "I don't have a gown."
That should settle it. She was a doctor who spent her life in operating rooms. Her wardrobe consisted of lab coats and casual wear—where would she get an evening gown?
Lucas nodded. "Understood."
He didn't press further. He simply turned, got in his car, and left.
Juliana breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the matter was settled.
However, when she finished an eight-hour surgery and dragged her exhausted body back to the villa, she froze at the scene before her.
Outside the villa, Lucas's familiar Bentley wasn't the only vehicle.
Behind it sat a row of luxury cars, each bearing different brand logos. Chanel, Dior, Valentino... Next to each car stood two uniformed staff members wearing white gloves.
"Ms. Wells, you're back." Lucas's assistant approached respectfully and offered her a catalog. "Mr. Sharp has prepared these for you. Please make your selection."
Juliana didn't take it.
She watched as the trunks opened to reveal rows of perfectly arranged latest-season gowns, gleaming brilliantly in the evening sun. Jewelry, clutches, high heels—all categorized and dazzling, as if half a luxury mall had been relocated here.