Chapter 80
At the Sharp Estate, after Damian was discharged from the hospital, Lucas had him stay with Juliana.
He was reviewing documents when a sharp, stabbing pain suddenly shot through his abdomen. Fine beads of cold sweat instantly formed on his forehead. He instinctively braced himself against the desk, his knuckles turning white from the pressure, veins bulging on the back of his hand.
This was an aftereffect from the car accident seven years ago—neuropathic pain that felt like countless steel needles piercing through his body every time it struck.
"Daddy, what's wrong?" Damian, who'd been playing with blocks nearby, was the first to notice something was off and immediately ran over.
"I'm fine." Lucas tried to straighten up, but another wave of even more violent pain hit him. His vision darkened and his body swayed uncontrollably.
Just then, the study door opened and Juliana walked in carrying a glass of warm milk. She'd come to call the child to bed but immediately noticed Lucas's pallid face.
"Lucas!"
She practically threw down the glass and rushed over. "What's wrong? Where does it hurt?"
The man's body was heavy, his burning temperature seeping through his thin shirt into her palm.
Lucas leaned against her, the familiar fragrance flooding his senses and giving his taut nerves a momentary respite. He wanted to say he was fine, but the pain left him without even the strength to speak.
Juliana helped him to the bed in the adjacent lounge and quickly assessed his condition.
"Is it the neuropathic pain acting up?"
David had mentioned this chronic condition to her before.
Lucas nodded with difficulty.
"Where's your medication?"
"Nightstand, second drawer."
Juliana pulled open the drawer, shook out two pills, poured a glass of warm water, and returned to the bedside.
"Take the medicine."
Lucas tried to lift his hand, but his arm trembled uncontrollably—he couldn't even hold the glass steady.
Juliana placed one pill in her palm and held the water glass with her other hand as she leaned down.
"Open your mouth."
Lucas's blue eyes met hers. He obediently opened his mouth.
Juliana placed the pill on his tongue, then carefully brought the glass to his lips, helping him drink bit by bit.
After administering the medication, Juliana straightened up to get a towel to wipe his sweat.
A burning hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.
"My mother treated you that way," his voice was hoarse from pain, "doesn't it bother you?"
He'd thought she would complain, be angry, or even use it to make demands.
Juliana was silent for a few seconds.
"More than that, I'm concerned about your health. This kind of strong painkiller has serious side effects and can't be used regularly. I'll take you to the hospital tomorrow for a comprehensive checkup."
Lucas's grip on her hand unconsciously loosened.
Juliana withdrew her wrist and carefully wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and neck.
Lucas's gaze followed her, his heart no longer able to remain calm.
……
In the study at the Sharp Estate, Ashley clutched a crucifix in her hand, her expression dark enough to wring water from.
"That woman absolutely cannot be allowed to stay by Lucas's side any longer!"
David sat across from her and could only sigh helplessly at her words. "Mom, you've seen how Lucas feels about Ms. Wells... it's different from how he treats others. If we use force now, we'll only push him further away."
"Different?" Ashley laughed coldly, slamming the crucifix heavily on the table. "David, I watched you grow up. Are you taking an outsider's side now too?"
"That's not what I mean." David rubbed his temples. "I just think this matter requires long-term planning. You know Lucas's temperament—head-on confrontation won't help."
"Then what do you suggest? Just watch helplessly as she moves in and turns our family upside down? I didn't raise you all these years to have you contradict me at a time like this!"
The words pressed down on David until he could barely breathe. After a moment of silence, he finally compromised.
"Since we can't be direct, we'll have to work on their relationship." David's voice was somewhat hoarse. "Find a way to create distance between them, to breed misunderstanding. Once Lucas loses trust in her, we won't need to drive her away—she won't be able to stay on her own."
Ashley's eyes lit up, but then the study door was suddenly kicked open from outside with a bang.
The loud noise startled them both.
The figure standing in the doorway was Damian.
He'd originally come over after hearing from his brother about what happened that day, wanting to improve the relationship between his grandmother and his mother. Instead, he'd heard his grandmother constantly cursing his mother.
Furious, he'd grabbed a fruit knife from the table.
"Dami?!" Ashley stood up from her chair in shock. "You... put the knife down quickly, it's dangerous!"
"What are you planning to do to her?"
"We..." Ashley was momentarily speechless. She'd never expected to be caught by her grandson.
"I heard everything." Damian interrupted her. "You want to drive her away, to hurt her."
His gaze made Ashley's heart go cold. She tried to maintain composure as she scolded, "Nonsense! We were just chatting! Where did you learn this—how dare you point a knife at your elders!"
Damian suddenly smiled. He raised the knife, but turned the blade toward his own chest.
"If you want her dead," he looked at Ashley, enunciating each word, "then kill me first. Or watch me die in front of you."
All color instantly drained from Ashley's face. She stared in horror, her lips trembling, unable to speak a single word. That was her only grandson, the future of the Sharp family. How could she take that gamble?
"Dami! Don't be rash!" David snapped back to his senses and quickly tried to calm him. "Your grandmother was just speaking in anger. No one wants to hurt Ms. Wells. Put the knife down!"
"She's not an outsider! She's my mother!"
That cry of "mother" struck Ashley's heart like a heavy hammer.
She completely panicked, tears streaming down. "Alright, alright... I was wrong, I won't say it anymore... put the knife down, don't scare me... I promise you, I won't trouble her anymore. I'll try... I'll try to accept her, okay?"
Damian stared her down with those eyes. After a long moment, his tense arm slowly lowered.
David seized the opportunity and carefully took the knife from his hand.
Damian gave his shaken grandmother one last look, then turned and left without a word.
Ashley's legs gave out and she collapsed back into her chair.
David approached and said softly, "Mom, you saw it. Dami's feelings for Juliana run far deeper than we imagined. This matter can't continue to—"
Before he could finish, Ashley raised her hand to cut him off.
She slowly straightened up, the terror and tears on her face having somehow disappeared, replaced by a chilling malevolence.
"Deep feelings?" She repeated those words in a low voice. "It's only been a few days and he's already willing to die for that woman. In the future, if he and Lucas learn the truth about what happened back then, learn the real cause of that woman's death... how will they treat me?"
The more she thought about it, the more crazed her expression became.
She couldn't wait any longer. She couldn't wait until mother and son grew closer, couldn't wait until Lucas completely fell for her.
This threat had to be eliminated as quickly as possible, permanently.
"That woman must die."