Chapter 203

Evelyn had indulged in too much wine last night and hadn’t gone to Claire’s place to keep her company. A sudden worry gnawed at her—was Claire alright alone?

During her lunch break, assuming Claire would be awake by then, Evelyn dialed her number.

"Claire? Are you okay? Are you at home?"

Claire’s voice came through, groggy and irritated as she rubbed her temples. "I’m at the hospital."

Evelyn’s stomach dropped.

"What happened? Are you sick? I’m coming right now."

She jabbed the elevator button, racing through the lobby to flag down a cab.

"It’s not me. It’s Lucas. He’s hospitalized."

Evelyn’s expression twisted into something unreadable. "You two…"

In the backseat of the taxi, Evelyn pieced together the story.

Last night, Lucas had downed fifteen bottles of liquor. After Simon dropped him off, he collapsed onto his bed and passed out cold.

That night's sleep nearly cost him everything.

Lucas Bennett awoke in the pitch-black hours, his body wracked with excruciating pain. His trembling fingers fumbled for his phone, dialing Claire Dawson's number with desperate urgency.

Silence.

Gritting his teeth, he summoned the last of his strength to call emergency services instead.

"Gastric perforation," the surgeon Harrison Wells announced gravely. "Another hour and we might've lost you." The doctor's stern gaze met Lucas's. "You'll need family present for post-op care."

But Lucas's parents were vacationing overseas as usual. His only emergency contact? Claire.

Still no response.

It was the hospital staff who finally tracked her down.

When Evelyn Carter arrived at Cresthaven Medical Center, Claire had already been keeping vigil since dawn.

Lucas drifted in and out of consciousness, only fully surfacing moments before Evelyn's arrival.

Noticing Claire's pallor, Evelyn's eyes dropped to her friend's midsection. "You should rest."

"I'm fine," Claire murmured, though dark circles shadowed her eyes.

On the bed, Lucas lay frighteningly still, his complexion ashen against the stark white sheets. The emergency surgery had left him fragile, every shallow breath a visible effort.

The moment Lucas Bennett laid eyes on Claire Dawson, his vision blurred with unshed tears. "Claire..."

Claire studied him with an unreadable expression.

She had just learned from the doctor that Lucas had consumed fifteen bottles of alcohol in a single sitting.

"Don't ever do that again," she murmured.

Noticing the sheen of cold sweat on his forehead, she reached for a tissue and dabbed it gently across his skin.

"You got lucky this time. The doctor said if it happens again, you might not wake up."

Lucas seized her wrist. "Does this mean you still care? Claire, tell me you still feel something for me."

Claire remained silent, her gaze steady and unflinching.

Though weak from his ordeal, Lucas's emotions surged violently. "Let's not go through with the divorce. Please, Claire. Give me one more chance."

"But I've given you too many chances already." Her voice was barely above a whisper, fragile as a breath.

"This time is different!" His grip tightened desperately. "Isabella and I are over. There's nothing left between us! If you just say yes, nothing will stand in our way!"

The conversation was interrupted by a soft knock at the door.

Julian Mercer stood there, holding a plush lumbar pillow.

Lucas Bennett’s expression darkened the moment he saw him. "Why did you bring him here, Claire? What are you trying to prove?"

Ignoring Lucas, Julian stepped forward and carefully placed the pillow behind Claire’s back, ensuring she was comfortable.

Seeing Lucas’s obvious irritation, Julian lowered his gaze. "I’ll go prepare some fruit."

Claire shook her head. "No need. He can’t eat anything right now. Just stay here with me."

Lucas’s jaw tightened.

His eyes burned with frustration. "Claire, is this some kind of sick joke? You bring him here while I’m like this? Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Do you want me to die from anger?"

Julian hesitated, his voice barely above a whisper. "Claire, maybe I should go."

"No." She reached out and grasped his hand firmly. "You’re staying."

Lucas looked like he was about to explode.