Chapter 173

The sight was unbearable. Lucas shoved Julian aside and yanked Claire into his embrace.

"Claire, stop this." His voice cracked with raw emotion. "You're tearing me apart."

The woman who used to adore him—how could she kiss another man right before his eyes?

A bitter taste flooded Lucas's mouth, more potent than any alcohol he'd consumed tonight.

Claire hadn't anticipated Lucas's sudden move.

His scent—whiskey and expensive cologne—clung to him.

She pressed a hand to her lips. "Ugh!"

Lucas stiffened, staring at her in disbelief.

Claire swallowed hard, forcing down the bile rising in her throat. "Lucas, you make me sick."

The words struck like a blade.

He recoiled as if physically wounded.

Claire wrenched free and slid back into the booth.

Julian picked up the abandoned spoon, his gaze never leaving her face. "Ready for another bite?"

The tension in the air was suffocating.

Lucas's fists clenched at his sides.

He couldn't accept this.

Not her.

Not with him.

The music pulsed around them, a cruel contrast to the storm inside Lucas's chest.

Claire deliberately turned away, leaning into Julian's space.

It was a silent declaration.

One that shattered whatever remained of Lucas's self-control.

Lucas seized the moment, his voice strained. "Claire, we need to talk!"

Claire's gaze was glacial, her lips curling into a mocking smile. "Can't you see I'm busy charming a gorgeous man?" Her tone dripped with disdain.

"I'm your husband!" Lucas's jaw tightened. "And you're shamelessly flirting with another man right in front of me. You—"

"If it bothers you so much, just sign the damn divorce papers," Claire snapped, cutting him off.

Lucas faltered, his words dying in his throat.

Without hesitation, Claire laced her fingers with Julian's, resting her head against his shoulder. Her fingertips traced the line of his throat, lingering on his Adam's apple. "Sweetheart," she purred, "why don't you come home with me tonight?"

The featherlight touch sent a shudder through Julian's body.

This was the first time he'd ever been this close to a woman. His pulse raced, heat creeping up his neck.

His face burned crimson as he instinctively glanced at Lucas. "But... your husband—"

"Him?" Claire laughed, cold and dismissive. "Don't waste your breath. He'll be my ex soon enough. Just a pathetic lapdog, nothing more."

Lucas's expression twisted in pain, his hands clenching at his sides.

Unable to bear seeing her degrade herself like this, he reached out abruptly, gripping her wrist. He tried to pull her away, his voice rough. "Enough."

This time, Claire was ready.

Claire swung her leg with precision, aiming straight for Lucas's vulnerable spot.

Lucas barely managed to dodge, stumbling back with a sharp inhale.

"Claire, can't we discuss this like adults?" Lucas gritted out, his voice strained.

Claire rose to her feet, closing the distance between them in three measured steps. She tilted her head, her finger curling beneath his chin with deliberate slowness.

A smirk played on her lips, but her eyes were glacial.

"Lucas, it's done. You should've gotten the papers by now. I filed for divorce," she stated coolly.

His jaw clenched. "And what if I refuse? The court won't grant it without my consent."

Claire shrugged, feigning indifference. "Fine. Stay married, then."

For a fleeting second, hope flickered in Lucas's gaze—until she turned, her fingers intertwining with Julian's.

"I'll keep him," she declared, her voice dripping with challenge. "Soon, all of Cresthaven will know I've taken a lover."

She leaned in, her breath ghosting over Lucas's ear.

"While still being your wife."

A pause. Then, softer, sharper:

"I'm going to humiliate you, Lucas. Tell me—can you handle that?"

Lucas's fists trembled at his sides. He recognized the game.

She was cornering him.

Pushing him to break first.

And damn her—it was working.

But!

How could he possibly agree?

If he gave in now, it would mean letting Claire walk away. And knowing her stubborn nature, she'd vanish from his life forever.

"Fine," Lucas bit out, his voice icy.

No one saw it coming when Lucas suddenly yanked at his tie, then dropped heavily into the booth beside her.

He snatched an untouched whiskey glass from the table and downed it in one burning gulp.

"Keep your little toy boy. I'll just sit right here and enjoy the show," Lucas drawled, his knuckles whitening around the glass.

"Lucas, have you lost your damn mind?"

"Absolutely!" Lucas slammed the glass down hard enough to crack the table. "You've driven me to insanity, Claire! Every damn thought in my head is about you!"

His outburst sent shocked silence rippling through the Eclipse Lounge.

Claire's breath caught.

She'd never seen Lucas like this—unhinged, raw, dangerous.

And the worst part?

It terrified her how much she liked seeing him come undone.