Lucian didn’t pause, didn’t acknowledge the murmurs of the crowd or the worried glances from his family. He strode toward Avey with singular focus, his face a mask of calm that only thinly veiled his frustration.
No one stop him. The tension in the air was electric, every guest holding their breath as they watched the scene unfold.
Avey’s heart skipped a beat as she saw him approaching. His expression was unreadable, his usual composure shadowed by something she couldn’t quite place. Despite the chaos around her, Avey couldn’t bring herself to look away.
“Lucy, you…” she began softly, her voice trembling just enough to betray her nerves. But before she could say more, Lucian reached her, his hand gently but firmly clasping hers.
The warmth of his touch caught her off guard, and though his grip was secure, it wasn’t rough. Without saying a word, he turned and began leading her toward the grand staircase.
Avey stumbled slightly at first, but she didn’t resist. She let him guide her, her gaze fixed on his back, her mind racing. He’s angry… but his hand… it’s still so gentle.
—
Among the Onlookers
Rose took a step forward, panic flashing in her eyes. “Lucian!” she called out, her voice rising slightly.
Lucian didn’t even glance back.
“Lucy, stop! Where are you taking her?” Rose’s voice grew sharper, and she was about to run after him when Olivia placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Let them go,” Olivia said softly, her tone firm but not unkind. Her gaze followed Lucian and Avey as they ascended the stairs, her expression unreadable.
“But Mother, he”Rose began, her voice filled with protest.
“This isn’t our place, Rose,” Olivia interrupted gently. “Let them figure it out.”
—
Celestia, standing nearby, didn’t move. Her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out. Instead, a faint whisper escaped, too quiet for anyone to hear.”Darling, you…” Her voice trailed off, and a sad smile touched her lips as she watched Lucian disappear with Avey.
—
Antonio, on the other hand, wasn’t as reserved. His brows furrowed in frustration, and he took a determined step toward the stairs.”I won’t allow this”
“Antonio.”
Melody’s voice stopped him in his tracks. She placed a hand on his arm, her grip firm despite her gentle demeanor. “Let her decide,”she said softly, her eyes meeting his. “Let her have this moment at least.”
Antonio hesitated, his jaw tightening as he struggled with the turmoil in his mind. But after a moment, he sighed, lowering his head slightly in reluctant agreement.
—
The Onlookers’ Whispers
The guests,however, were far less restrained. The silence that had gripped them moments ago gave way to a cacophony of speculation.
“What do you think he’s going to say to her?”
“Do you think they’ve had a secret relationship all this time?”
“No wonder she confessed so boldly. Look at him he didn’t even hesitate to take her away!”
“But if it’s not true…why would she say such a thing?”
“It’s a scandal, no matter how you look at it.”
—
Inside the Room on the Second Floor
The sound of the door closing behind them echoed in the quiet room.
Thud.
Avey stood with her back pressed against the door, her breath shallow as she looked up at Lucian. He was close closer than he’d been in years. His hand rested on the door beside her head, effectively trapping her in place.
His dark eyes searched hers, not with anger but with a heavy frustration that made her heart ache.
“Lucy, you…”Avey tried to speak, but the words caught in her throat.
Lucian didn’t let her finish. “Why?” His voice was low but carried a weight that made her chest tighten. “Why did you do that?”
Avey blinked, startled by the directness of his question. “I…”
“When?”Lucian cut her off, his tone sharp but not loud.”When did we ever have a child together?”
Her lips parted, and for the first time, she hesitated. “No, I just”
“Just what, Avey?” he interrupted again, his frustration spilling into his words.”What are we? Are we even friends now? Wait were we ever?”
Those words hit her like a blow. Her eyes widened, and her heart clenched painfully. “Don’t say that,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “We… we…”She trailed off, unable to find the words to explain herself.
Lucian sighed, running a hand through his hair as he stepped back slightly, giving her a moment to breathe. “What are you trying to do, Avey? Why are you doing this?” His voice cracked slightly at the end, and he clenched his fists as if trying to calm himself.
Avey opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Instead, she lowered her gaze, her hands trembling slightly as she clasped them in front of her.
Lucian’s frustration didn’t come from anger it came from the confusion and hurt he’d been trying to suppress. “Avey…”he began, his tone softer now, but no less pained.
—
The Guests Below
The sound of the door closing hadn’t stopped the buzz of whispers from the guests below.
“They’ve been gone for a while now. What do you think he’s saying to her?”
“Maybe he’s confronting her about the pregnancy. It could still be a lie.”
“But did you see the way he grabbed her hand? He didn’t even hesitate. There’s no way there isn’t something between them.”
“This is a bigger scandal than anything I’ve ever seen at one of these events.”
—
Inside the Room
The silence between them was suffocating. Lucian took a deep breath, his jaw tightening as he spoke, his voice low but firm.
“What were you thinking,Avey?” he asked, his tone strained. “Announcing something like that… something that isn’t even true.”
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Avey stood motionless, her back against the door, her wide eyes fixed on him. She opened her mouth to reply, but he cut her off, his frustration spilling out.
“Didn’t we already have this conversation back then?” Lucian’s voice softened, though the weight of his words didn’t diminish. “I said I was giving up. Didn’t I? And yet here you are, disturbing me again and again.” He ran a hand through his hair, his frustration palpable.”Why? Why are you doing this, Avey?”
Her silence only seemed to anger him further.
“Why are you acting like this? Asking me again and again… even dragging Jimmy into this to help you!” Lucian sighed, shaking his head. “Why can’t you just stop?”
Avey finally lifted her gaze to meet his, her eyes calm yet unwavering”Weren’t you the same back then?” she asked softly, her voice carrying no malice, only quiet conviction.
Her words froze him. Lucian blinked, his anger faltering for a moment.
“I…”He tried to reply but stopped, his voice caught in his throat.
Avey tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable as she continued.”Yes, I did that,” Lucian admitted, his voice quieter now. “And I already apologized for all of it. I know I was wrong back then, Avey. I know.”
His shoulders slumped slightly as he exhaled. “I shouldn’t have done it. I was wrong to push you the way I did. I regret it.”
Avey’s gaze softened, but she didn’t interrupt.
“And now?” she whispered after a moment, her voice trembling slightly”Do you hate the idea of having a child with me that much?”
Lucian flinched at her words, his face tightening. “That’s not what this is about…” he began, but Avey’s quiet voice cut him off.
“You can hit me,” she said suddenly, her words so soft they almost didn’t reach him.
“What?”Lucian asked, his brows knitting in confusion.
“I said…” Her voice cracked as she repeated, “You can hit me. Or yell at me. Or punish me however you want.” She lowered her head, her hands trembling slightly. “But… please… don’t make me feel like you hate me. I can’t take that.”
Lucian’s lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out. He clenched his fists at his sides, the weight of her words crushing him.
“That’s not what I” he began, his voice faltering.
But then he stopped, his frustration overtaking him. His next words were colder than even he had intended.
“Yes,” Lucian said, his lips trembling as he forced the words out”Yes, I hate you… for what you’ve done to me.”
The words struck Avey like a physical blow. Her head shot up, her wide eyes searching his face for any sign that he didn’t mean it.
“Lucian…”she whispered, her voice breaking.
He looked away, his expression pained but resolute. Before she could say anything more, Lucian stepped back, his movements sharp. He opened the door in one swift motion, his back turned to her as he exited.
“Don’t show your face to me again,”he said coldly, the words echoing in the room as the door slammed shut behind him.
She stood there for a moment, her mind struggling to process what had just happened. Her chest felt tight, the weight of his words crushing her.
Her legs gave out, and she slid down the door, her back pressed against the cold wood as she hugged her knees.Tears spilled silently down her cheeks, her trembling hands covering her face.
“Did He… he really said that,”she murmured, her voice barely audible as the realization hit her.
Her entire world seemed to crumble in that moment. Avey had been prepared for anger, frustration, even rejection. But the sheer finality of his words the coldness in his tone was something she hadn’t expected.
—