Chapter 46 Forty Six

Chapter 46 Forty Six
VALERIE

After that talk with Lucas, I had retreated to my room, hoping rest would finally claim me. It didn’t.

The quiet pressed in too tightly, and restlessness settled beneath my skin. I missed the office more than I expected.

The structure, the normalcy, the escape it offered. But I couldn’t go, even if I wanted to. Too many eyes would follow us now. Too much attention. Especially with Lucas’s condition, it would raise questions neither of us was ready to answer.

So instead, I wandered.

I gave myself a slow, unhurried tour of the house, taking paths I hadn’t bothered to explore before. Each corridor seemed longer than the last, every room opening into something even more extravagant.

I lost count of how many times I paused, quietly stunned by how massive and spacious the place was.

I discovered a private gym tucked away on one wing, a fully equipped theatre room hidden behind dark double doors, and farther down—almost secluded—a pool glinting softly at the far end of the property.

I stood there for a moment longer than necessary, taking it all in, wondering how a place so grand could still feel so empty.

Eventually, my feet carried me back to familiar ground.

As I rounded a corner and passed Lucas’s bedroom, I slowed.

Then I stopped.

A low hiss came from inside the room—strained, sharp, unmistakable.

I took a step back, heart tightening, and noticed the door was slightly ajar.

Through the narrow opening, I saw him.

Lucas stood inside, struggling to pull a shirt over his head.

His movements were stiff, uneven, and his face was scrunched in pain, jaw clenched as if he were trying to swallow it down.

I froze where I stood, my exhaustion momentarily forgotten, watching as he fought his own body in silence.

I took a step back, then another, forcing my feet to carry me past his door.

As I walked away, flashes of the night before rushed in uninvited. His cruel accusations, the vile words he had thrown at me without hesitation, the way they had cut deeper than I had let him see.

Somewhere at the back of my mind, a bitter part of me wanted to keep walking. Wanted to leave him there to deal with the pain alone. I wanted him to feel even a fraction of what I had felt.

But mercy had always been my weakness.

And pity—unwanted, stubborn pity—followed closely behind.

I slowed. Then stopped.

Before I could reason myself out of it, my body moved on instinct. I turned back, pushed the door open, and stepped into Lucas’s room without fully realizing what I was doing.

The sound of my movement drew his attention.

Lucas froze mid-motion, the half-worn shirt clutched in his hands. His eyes lifted to mine, widening slightly in surprise as he registered my presence.

“Give me that,” I said before I could second-guess myself.

Lucas hesitated only briefly before handing me the shirt. I took it from him and walked past, straight into his closet.

My eyes scanned the neatly arranged clothes until I found a black sleeveless top folded on a shelf. I grabbed it and returned to him.

I stopped in front of him, held it up, and met his gaze only for a second. He looked down at the sleeve, then back at me, saying nothing.

“Lift your arm,” I murmured.

He did, slowly. I guided his injured arm into the sleeve with careful hands, keeping my touch gentle. Still, a soft hiss escaped him.

I paused immediately. “Sorry,” I said quietly. “Wearing a short sleeved shirt is far better than forcing on a long sleeved one in this condition, Lucas.”

He scoffed lightly, then surprised me with a small laugh. “You do realize you sound like the female version of Dr. Cartez right now, don’t you?”

I glanced up at him despite myself and found him smiling—actually smiling. Just before I could look away, he winked.

Heat rushed to my cheeks instantly.

I dropped my gaze to the buttons, suddenly far too aware of how close we were, and began fastening them one by one, focusing on the simple task in front of me so he wouldn’t notice how flustered I had become.

I cleared my throat, trying to shake off the lingering heat from Lucas’s wink.

“Hmm… that reminds me,” I said carefully. “Speaking of Dr. Cartez, any news from him regarding the nurse you asked him to send for you?”

The effect was immediate. Lucas stiffened, as if the question had struck him. I let it pass, assuming the pain in his arm had triggered it.

“Umm…” he murmured, clearing his throat.

I finished buttoning the last button on his shirt, straightened, and crossed my arms.

“Done,” I said quietly.

“Thanks,” he said.

“Yup,” I replied flatly.

“Valerie…” His voice made me arch an eyebrow and tilt my head.

“About the nurse…” he continued, voice low, hesitant. “…Do you mind doing that for me? I mean… taking care of me… you know. I don't think I'm white comfortable with letting a stranger come take care of me.”

I blinked, stunned.

A few days ago, he had refused insistently, even when Dr. Cartez suggested I handle it. And now—he was asking. Himself.

Before I could respond, the bell that signaled that someone unauthorized wanted to come up to the penthouse rang, echoing sharply through the quiet house.

Lucas glanced at me. “Are you expecting someone?”

“I think that question should be directed at you,” I said, eyes narrowing slightly.

“Who knows… it could be your nurse.”

He rolled his eyes, a small sigh escaping him, and we both made our way downstairs.

My pulse stumbled as I reached the monitor. It was Adrian.

Oh my God! Why’s he here?

“Val, who’s—” Lucas’s voice called out. I mistakenly pressed the button that would allow him in because Lucas' voice startled me.

He didn’t get to finish his sentence. I could feel Lucas standing just behind me, his presence heavy and protective.

The elevator doors opened to reveal Adrian. A smile appeared on his face when his gaze landed on me but it disappeared when he noticed Lucas standing behind me.
Shock was evident on his face before his brows furrowed in confusion.

Oh no!
I shouldn't have let him in.

I swallowed hard, my voice barely above a whisper. “Ad… Adrian…”