Chapter 57
That investigation report, the secret hidden for seven years, the so-called "first love"—all of it seemed so pale and powerless in the face of such raw, domineering confession.
Juliana looked at him, saw herself reflected in his eyes, and rose on her tiptoes as if possessed.
Her cold lips met his burning ones.
This time, it wasn't a test or punishment. It was two souls clinging together in the bitter wind.
Not far away, in an inconspicuous black sedan, the glint of a telephoto lens flashed silently, capturing the embracing figures on the bridge in sharp focus.
The wind on the bridge was fierce. That kiss came like a storm—violent and brief.
When Juliana pulled back, her mind was still reeling, her lips burning and numb. Lucas didn't press closer. He reached up, his thumb gently brushing across her lips with a possessive certainty.
"Get in the car."
He gripped her wrist and led her back to the vehicle.
Juliana stared out the window at the rapidly retreating scenery, her heart still racing out of control. On the bridge just now, she must have lost her mind. She'd actually kissed him first.
The realization made her cheeks burn. She wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.
"The previous agreement is void."
Beside her, the man broke the silence without warning.
Juliana startled and turned to look at him.
Lucas kept his eyes on the road. "We need a new one."
"That person in your heart," he suddenly asked, his voice unreadable, "who is he?"
Juliana's heart clenched sharply.
She hadn't expected him to still remember that. It had been a lie she'd fabricated in desperation to push him away. But now, she hesitated.
What should she say? That it was fake? Then what did her initiative on the bridge mean?
Admit it was real? Then where did that leave her and Lucas?
In her mind, that cold operating table from seven years ago, that surrogacy contract, flashed past.
Perhaps this was an opportunity. A chance to lay all the truth bare.
She opened her mouth, ready to say something, but the car had already glided smoothly into the villa complex.
However, when the car stopped at the entrance, every word Juliana had prepared stuck in her throat.
In the villa's living room, an elegant figure sat regally on the main sofa. Ashley.
On the coffee table before her sat a cup of cold tea, clearly indicating a long wait.
Seeing the two of them get out of the car together, Ashley's expression darkened instantly.
"Lucas, come inside. Now." She didn't even glance at Juliana, directly ordering her son.
Lucas acted as if he hadn't heard. He naturally took Juliana's hand, keeping her at his side as they walked into the living room together.
This small gesture was fuel on the fire.
Ashley slammed her teacup down with a sharp crack. "Did I say she could come in?"
Juliana's face paled. She instinctively tried to pull her hand back.
Lucas gripped tighter. "Mother." His voice was cold, carrying a warning. "She lives here now. She's the mistress of this house."
"Mistress?" Ashley looked like she'd heard the world's biggest joke. "I will never agree! The Sharp family's door isn't open to just anyone!"
"I'm not asking for your agreement. I'm informing you."
Ashley's chest heaved violently, infuriated by her son's unyielding attitude. She knew once he made a decision, he never looked back. Direct confrontation wouldn't work.
She took a deep breath.
"Fine, fine... I can't control you young people's affairs." Her tone softened. "Lucas, go outside. I have a few words I'd like to speak with Ms. Wells about. Privately."
"No." Lucas refused without thinking.
He knew his mother too well. She would never compromise so easily.
"What? Afraid I'll eat her?" Ashley sneered coldly. "I just want to talk to her about the children."
Lucas remained unmoved, but Juliana, who'd been silent, finally spoke.
"Alright. I'll talk with you."
Lucas frowned, looking down at her, disapproval written in his eyes.
Juliana shook her head reassuringly.
She knew what Ashley wanted to do—threaten and bribe. But she didn't want to hide behind Lucas forever. Some things she had to face herself.
Lucas saw the determination in her eyes and finally released her hand.
"I'll be right outside."
Only two women remained in the living room.
Ashley settled back on the sofa, picking up the cold tea and leisurely skimming the surface, her posture haughty.
"Name your price." She finally spoke, not even lifting her eyelids. "How much money will it take for you to leave my son and never appear again?"
Juliana stood there, silent.
"Ten million dollars? Fifty million?" Seeing her silence, Ashley's sneer deepened. "Or a hundred million? Ms. Wells, don't be too greedy. I've seen plenty of women like you. It's all about money."
Juliana finally smiled. "Ashley, if I wanted money, I wouldn't have left seven years ago."
Ashley's movement paused. She finally lifted her head to look at Juliana properly.
Juliana walked to the sofa opposite her and sat, her gaze calm and clear. "I agreed to talk with you today not for money, and not because I fear you. I just want to know—what exactly are you afraid of?"
Ashley's expression changed.
"What do you mean?"
"Are you afraid I'll tell Lucas how you found a surrogate behind his back seven years ago? Or are you afraid I'll tell him how you tried to have me killed to cover up the truth?" Juliana's voice wasn't loud, but each word struck like a needle into Ashley's heart.
Ashley's face turned deathly pale. She hadn't expected Juliana to know everything!
"You... you're talking nonsense!" She protested with false bravado.
"Whether I'm talking nonsense, you know better than anyone." Juliana didn't want to keep circling. "Ashley, I promise you I'll never tell Lucas the truth about the surrogacy."
Ashley froze, clearly not expecting her to say that.
"You... what are your conditions?" She didn't believe in such good fortune.
"I have no conditions." Juliana looked at her, a trace of pity in her eyes. "I just don't want him to know how cruel the mother he respects most was to him. He's already carrying too much. I don't want him burdened with this too."
Ashley looked into Juliana's clear eyes, momentarily speechless. All her preparations, all her threats, had become a joke in front of this woman.
After a long while, she finally found her voice, her tone complex. "You... you're serious?"
"I'm serious." Juliana nodded and stood. "I only have one request. In the future, please don't interfere with my and the children's lives."
Without another glance at Ashley, she walked straight out of the living room.