Chapter 99
Lucas's arms tightened even more. Juliana's body was locked firmly against him, pressed into his very bones.
His face buried in the crook of her neck, he kept repeating "I'm sorry" over and over. His voice sounded like it had been scraped raw, his chest trembling faintly with each word.
Juliana couldn't stop crying. Seven years of grievances, seven years of secrets, seven years of fears she'd had no one to confide in—all of it finally found release in his apology.
"I won't let anyone hurt you ever again."
He gently cupped her face, his thumbs clumsily wiping away her tears.
The man before her was no longer that cold, distant Lucas who'd been untouchable. He was the man willing to hold up the sky for her. Her ally, ready to fight by her side.
Lucas took a deep breath, steadying himself. His gaze fell on her red-rimmed eyes, and his chest felt crushed under an enormous weight. He knew now wasn't the time to wallow in grief.
His fingertips traced the back of her hand. "I need to go back."
His voice returned to its usual calm steadiness, each word deliberate. "I'll bring you and the children back. My mother—I'll handle it."
Juliana opened her mouth, wanting to ask how he'd handle it, whether it would put him in an impossible position.
But seeing the exhaustion mixed with determination in his eyes, she squeezed his hand back, letting her actions speak her trust.
Lucas said nothing more. He drove fast the entire way, Juliana's broken sobs echoing in his mind, especially those words—"save the baby."
Like a dull knife, cutting into his heart over and over.
He swore to himself that this time, he'd end all of this once and for all.
……
The car reached the hospital. Lucas practically ran through the corridors to Ashley's room.
Just as he was about to push the door open, he heard voices arguing inside.
"Useless! Can't even handle one woman! And you have the nerve to come asking me for investment money?" Ashley's shrill voice leaked through the crack, dripping with hysterical fury.
Logan's casual drawl followed. "Mom, that's harsh. Juliana's not the same woman she used to be. Besides, at least this got back at her for you, right?"
"Got back at her? You think Lucas doesn't know about your little schemes? The way he looks at me now—like I'm his enemy!" Ashley's voice carried deep fear and resentment. "I'm telling you right now, if you think you're getting money from me, forget it!"
"Oh?" Logan stretched out the word. "Sounds like you're the one who's confused. You really think Lucas still listens to you? He's not that half-dead invalid lying in a hospital bed seven years ago. And besides—why do you think you chose Juliana to be the surrogate in the first place? You really think Lucas doesn't know anything about that?"
What the hell did that mean?
Juliana's appearance... wasn't a coincidence?
"You're talking nonsense!"
Lucas couldn't take another second. He slammed the door open with a bang that made both people inside jump.
When Ashley saw Lucas's expression—dark and dangerous—she jerked upright in bed, terrified.
Logan didn't look panicked at all when Lucas burst in. Instead, a mocking smile curved his lips.
Lucas's gaze shot straight to Logan like a pair of ice-cold blades. "What do you mean 'why she chose Juliana'? What the hell happened seven years ago?"
Logan shrugged. "You're asking me? You should be asking our dear mother. She's the one who directed this whole 'show.'"
"I've got places to be, so I won't interrupt your little family reunion." He walked to the door, then glanced back at Lucas. "Hope you two have a pleasant chat."
Logan turned and left the room.
Inside, the air grew heavy.
Lucas's gaze cut into Ashley like a knife.
His voice was so low it seemed to rise from underground. "What does he mean, 'why you chose Juliana'? What happened seven years ago?"
Ashley's face went deathly pale.
She looked at her son's bloodshot eyes. Her mouth opened, but no words came out.
If those secrets buried deep in her heart were ever exposed, what would happen to the Sharp family? What would happen to her? She didn't dare think about it.
"Cat got your tongue?" Lucas's patience snapped. He slammed his hand down on the bedside table.
"Lucas, calm down!"
David rushed into the room. Seeing Lucas like this, alarm shot through him.
He tried to grab Lucas's arm, tried to pull him away from the bed.
But Lucas acted like he hadn't heard him at all.
He only stared at Ashley. When she still wouldn't speak, the fury in his eyes threatened to consume her whole.
He jerked his arm free of David's grip. His hand swung out and hit the edge of the bedside table, sending a glass vase toppling.
The vase shattered on the floor. One sharp piece of glass flew up from the momentum of Lucas's movement and sliced across David's cheek before he could dodge.
A line of blood bloomed instantly across his left cheek.
David froze. He reached up to touch his face, felt the hot wetness, pulled his fingers away—the blood stark and bright.
Ashley let out a short, frightened cry.
Lucas went rigid too, the fury in his eyes instantly replaced by horror.
"David!"
David instinctively pulled back, shock and disbelief written all over his face.
Lucas's hand hung in mid-air.
"Doctor! Get a doctor!" he shouted.
Several nurses and the on-call doctor rushed in.
"The wound is deep. It needs immediate treatment." The doctor's tone was grave after examining it. "It'll probably scar. And... it won't be small. If you want it fully repaired, you'll likely need cosmetic surgery later."
"Cosmetic surgery..." David repeated in a low voice. He'd always been carefree, casually confident—his face had been one of his greatest assets. Now a single cut had ruined it.
A nurse helped David to the treatment room. Lucas tried to follow, but the doctor stopped him.
"Family members need to wait here."
Lucas stood frozen, radiating cold regret. He looked at the broken glass on the floor, at the pool of blood, and felt like something had struck his chest with brutal force.
He'd hurt David.
Because he'd lost control. Because of his rage.
……
In the treatment room, David lay on the bed. The anesthetic had already been administered. The doctor carefully stitched the wound, each needle feeling like it was piercing David's heart.
When it was over, the doctor sighed. "Mr. White, the wound was too deep. We did our best, but there will definitely be scarring. We'll have to see how it heals before deciding if cosmetic surgery is necessary."
David's eyes felt hot. He closed them, Lucas's expression flashing through his mind—that instant of horror and guilt.
"Where's Lucas?" he asked the nurse beside him.
The nurse hesitated, then answered quietly. "Mr. Sharp... he already left."
Left?
David's eyes flew open. He thought he'd misheard.
"What did you say?"
"Mr. Sharp... after he left the room, he just... he left the hospital." The nurse repeated.