Chapter 26 Heavy blow
“Listen,” Lucas said, trying to stay calm, “I’m not getting dragged into this ridiculous setup. Why don’t you tell that creep or whoever that guy is—that you’re not interested? Marriage shouldn’t be forced.”
Derby let out a soft, humorless laugh. “You really think it’s that simple, don’t you? Lucas, you’ll never understand. Just see this for what it is—me helping you, while helping myself.”
Lucas raised an eyebrow, arms folded. “Oh really? And how exactly does this insane arrangement help me?”
Derby leaned forward, lowering her voice. “Because if we go through with this, your dad gets the bridge construction deal. My father has made it crystal clear that he’ll only sign that contract with the family that marries me.”
Lucas blinked, stunned. “Damn… are you such an unwanted daughter that he has to bribe someone into marrying you?”
Her eyes flared. “Don’t you dare insult me. This isn’t about attraction. It’s about business. It’s a strategy. And I stand to get my own share once I’m married. So drop the judgment.”
Lucas shook his head in disbelief.
“Do you even know that some guy placed a tracker on your bike three days ago?”
“What? Tracker? How do you know that?” Lucas asked, surprise etched on his face.
“I knew because I saw the guy placing it on your bike seat, but when he left, I removed it and placed it on another bike,” Derby explained.
“What is all this? Why won't he let me be?”
Derby stared at him. “Do you know the guy and why you're being tracked?”
“Well, I have no enemy, so I guess it will be my Dad's errand boy. But forget about that, anyway.”
“Look,” she pressed on, voice firm but calmer, “If you marry me, and I’m free from Carter and his obsessive son.
It will also get your father off your back. We both win.”
A heavy silence fell between them.
Then she softened. “When you later find the person you really want to marry, we’ll get divorced. No drama. No fuss. We’ll play the game, then walk away.”
Lucas stared at her, still torn.
“Just pretend,” she whispered. “Let’s make it look real. We’ll both be free in the end.”
Lucas weighed her words, his jaw clenched. The thought of finally getting his father off his back swirled happily in his head; even if it was temporary, it was tempting.
He looked up, meeting Derby’s hopeful gaze. “Fine. But let’s get one thing straight—it’s all pretense. I’m not sharing a bed with you. You’ll live your life, I’ll live mine. Are we clear?”
She grinned. “Crystal clear, hubby-to-be.”
“Don’t call me that,” he muttered, already regretting his decision.
“Just one favor,” she added quickly. “Escort me out—just in case anyone’s watching us. We’ve got to sell this illusion.”
Lucas rolled his eyes. “If they’ve got time to stalk us, that’s their problem.”
“Still… please?” she asked sweetly.
“Fine,” he grumbled. “Let’s go.”
He walked her to her car, ignoring the curious glances of bystanders. As she opened the door, she turned and asked, “The wedding’s in two days. How about dinner tomorrow night?”
“That won’t be necessary. See you at the registry on Friday.” He waved her off and turned without another word.
That night, Mr. Westman returned home with a garment bag slung over his shoulder.
“A new suit—for your big day,” he said with pride.
Lucas took it and gave a rare smile. “Thanks, Dad.”
The older man raised a brow in surprise. “So... you’ve agreed to be there? To go through with it?”
“Yes,” Lucas replied flatly. “I’m marrying Derby tomorrow. Maybe then you’ll stop spiking my drinks.”
Mr. Westman chuckled, only slightly ashamed. “A wise choice, son. And… I’m sorry about all that.”
Lucas gave a small nod. “Whatever Dad,” then escaped to get some air.
Later that night, dressed casually in jeans and a dark hoodie, he slipped into a dim bar to clear his head. A face cap shielded his identity. He settled into a booth at the corner and nursed a drink in silence.
A few minutes later, two young ladies walked into the bar, giggling as they slid into the booth beside him. He paid them no attention—until one of them spoke, and her voice hit him like lightning.
It was familiar. Too familiar to shake off.
He tried to ignore it, sipping his drink… until the other woman laughed and asked, “So, what about the wedding plans with Lucas? Still on, right?”
Lucas froze, the glass halfway to his lips. His heartbeat kicked up. His fingers tightened around the rim.
What the hell?
“Oh! I forgot to update you on that, Hunter” Derby said, her voice laced with smug satisfaction. “Lucas totally bought my excuse. So yeah, the wedding is happening tomorrow as planned. So our revenge on Alex is still in progress.”
Lucas stiffened in his seat, his drink forgotten. His jaw clenched as the words echoed in his head.
Bought her excuse?
Is the wedding happening as planned? Revenge on Alex?
“What the heck is going on?” he muttered under his breath, heart thudding. “Are they talking about me?”
The voice was unmistakably Derby’s. His gut twisted. Every part of him wanted to storm over, confront her, demand answers. But he forced himself to stay seated, to listen.
“Be patient, guy,” he muttered to himself.
He waited, tense, until they rose to leave. Lucas kept his head low as they passed his table. He turned slightly, catching a clear view of Derby, no doubt. The other woman’s face, however, remained out of sight.
As they walked out and headed to their separate cars, Lucas finally stood and followed at a distance. Hidden by the shadows just outside the bar, he watched as Derby drove off, her laughter still lingering in the air.
His hands curled into fists. Whatever game she was playing, it ended now.
He exhaled sharply and muttered under his breath, voice low and cold, “Derby Ashton, whatever plan you were celebrating just crashed. Because guess what—there won’t be a wedding tomorrow.”
With a sharp turn, he walked back to his car, his mind already racing with how to blow the whole thing apart.
On the wedding day
The registry hall was already occupied with several guests—close family, a few friends, and business associates from both the Westman and Ashton families. It was already the stipulated time for the marriage. The officiant waited patiently at the front, checking the time now and then.
Derby stood in her white lace gown, her makeup flawless, her fake smile even more so. Cameras flashed as her father, Mr. Ashton, beamed with pride. Mr. Westman, adjusting his cufflinks, now and then as he glanced toward the entrance repeatedly.
But there was no sign of the groom.
Emily paced near the window, trying Lucas’s number for the fiftieth time. Straight to voicemail.
“What’s going on?” Mr. Westman muttered, checking his watch for the third time in two minutes. “Where the hell is Lucas?”
“Maybe he’s on his way, traffic…” Derby said through clenched teeth, her voice strained.
But deep down, she was already beginning to panic.
Suddenly, a courier walked in, holding a small black envelope.
“Delivery for Miss Derby Ashton,” he announced.
Everyone turned as Derby received the envelope, opening it with shaky fingers. Her eyes scanned the note inside, and her face paled.