Chapter 2

"Facts are facts."

Lucas's voice floated through the crack in the door.

Light. Casual.

Like he was commenting on the weather.

"But."

He paused.

"Don't say that stuff to her face."

"She's sensitive."

Someone laughed. "Ooh, protective much?"

"Protective of what?"

His voice was lazy now.

"My mom's dying wish. I'm supposed to take care of her."

"She lives at the house. I provide. It's the least I can do."

"Think of it like keeping a pet."

"Not that much work."

More laughter.

I stood frozen at the door. Tears streaming down my face.

My whole body shaking.

A pet.

I didn't care how I looked. I shoved the door open.

Everyone stared.

Lucas sat at the head of the table, casually swirling a glass of wine.

The second he saw me, his face changed.

"Clara."

He stood.

"What are you doing here? I told you to rest."

The others didn't dare breathe.

I smiled.

My face was wet with tears. Must've looked pathetic.

"Lucas, did you just call me a pet?"

He opened his mouth.

"Let me explain—"

"Explain what?"

"That I'm just an extra mouth to feed?"

"That keeping me isn't that much work?"

"Or—"

Emotion choked my throat. I stopped.

Tears surged again.

"That my mom who saved your life was just a housekeeper to you?"

His expression shifted.

Not panic.

Something else.

I'd seen it before.

The way he looked at beggars when we were kids. That exact look.

Annoyed. Disgusted.

Why are you here again?

He frowned.

Looked away from me.

Said nothing.

But that look said more than words ever could.

Someone in the room glanced at their watch.

"Bro, it's almost eight."

He hummed. Didn't move.

Didn't look at me either.

A few minutes later, he finally spoke. Dismissive as hell.

"Clara, go home."

"Tomorrow's engagement party is still on."

"You'll get what you want."

"Stop making a scene."

What I want...

I opened my mouth.

Tried to say something.

He raised his hand. Cut me off. Eyes fell on my hands.

Red from the cold. Still trembling.

Lucas frowned, grabbed his suit jacket from the chair.

"It's freezing."

He draped it over my shoulders.

Quick.

Like he was afraid he'd change his mind.

The jacket still held his warmth.

I froze. Looked up at him.

He looked back.

Something flickered in his eyes.

Too fast.

Too fast for me to tell if it was pity or just habit.

"Go home."

His voice softened slightly.

"Focus on the engagement."

Security stepped forward.

I didn't move.

Wearing his jacket.

Standing there.

Waiting for him to say something.

Waiting for that look to come back.

But it didn't. All I got was security urging me to leave.

They escorted me out.

At the elevator, the doors opened.

Inside stood a girl.

Phone in her hand. Screen lit up.

A photo of her kissing Lucas.

As we passed each other, she glanced at me.

Just once.