Chapter 257

Lucas Bennett never thought he'd sink to such depths of despair.

His crimson-rimmed eyes held the last flicker of hope, like a dying flame refusing to be extinguished.

Claire Dawson was equally stunned.

She could scarcely believe that a man as arrogant as Lucas would discard his pride so completely.

Now, he was ready to give up everything—just to keep her.

As Claire tried to pull away, a familiar voice sliced through the tension.

"Claire."

Julian Mercer's smooth tone was like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.

The golden rays streaming through the window illuminated his sharp features, turning his dark hair into molten bronze.

Claire blinked in surprise. "Julian? What are you doing here? I thought you had rehearsals today."

His gaze softened with worry as it settled on her. "I finished early." His eyes flickered toward Lucas, then back to her. "Are you okay?"

The air between them thickened, charged with unspoken tension.

Lucas's grip on Claire's wrist tightened imperceptibly. His voice was rough, raw with emotion. "We're not done here."

Julian took a step forward, his posture protective. "She said no."

Claire's pulse raced.

She had never seen Lucas like this—broken, desperate.

And Julian—calm, steady, but with an edge she rarely witnessed.

The two men locked eyes, a silent battle raging between them.

Claire exhaled sharply.

This wasn't how she imagined her afternoon would go.

Not at all.

The first light of dawn filtered through the curtains when Claire finally stepped inside.

Julian Mercer stood by the doorway, his usually bright eyes shadowed with exhaustion. "You didn’t come home last night," he murmured, voice rough with fatigue. "I was worried."

Claire’s fingers tightened around her bag strap as she took in the dark circles beneath his eyes. "You waited up all night for me?"

A slow nod was his only answer.

Her chest tightened.

Then, with a tired but warm smile, Julian reached into his pocket. His fingers curled around something small before he stepped closer.

"I got this for you on my way back," he said, unwrapping a lollipop with careful precision. "Strawberry—your favorite. Last one on the shelf. Lucky, right?"

"Very lucky," Claire whispered.

She parted her lips just as he pressed the candy into her mouth. The sweetness burst across her tongue, familiar and comforting, thawing the lingering chill in her bones.

Across the room, Lucas Bennett’s grip on the doorframe turned white-knuckled.

His bloodshot eyes burned as he watched them—watched how easily Julian touched her, how naturally Claire accepted it.

They’ve only known each other a few weeks.

The thought twisted like a knife.

"Waited up all night?"

His jaw clenched.

Are they living together now?

Claire couldn’t possibly be alone with another man. She was still his wife!

Lucas’s frustration surged, an invisible vise tightening around his heart. His gaze burned into Claire with raw desperation. "Claire… come back to me."

She acted as if he weren’t even there, slipping her arm through Julian’s instead. "Shouldn’t you be in class right now?"

Julian’s voice was warm, laced with playful defiance. "I ditched it. Just to see you."

"That’s irresponsible," Claire chided, though her tone held no real bite. As his sponsor, she felt obligated to steer him toward better choices. A glance at her watch confirmed he could still make his afternoon lectures if they left now.

"Come on. My car’s parked downstairs. I’ll take you back to campus."

Julian arched a brow, mischief dancing in his eyes. "Does that mean you’ll sit in on my class with me?"

Claire hesitated, caught off guard.

"Only if you’re free," he added quickly, not pushing.

She exhaled, threading her fingers through his. "Actually, it sounds perfect. We can grab lunch at that bistro near your university afterward."

The dismissal in her voice was clear—Lucas might as well have been air.

Julian’s face brightened with a radiant, sincere smile. "That sounds perfect."

Lucas stood frozen, disbelief etching his features as Claire and Julian turned to leave. "Claire, you're seriously walking away from me like this?"

She glanced over her shoulder, lips curving into a teasing smirk. "Isn’t it obvious? I have a date with my gorgeous young companion."

Lucas’s temper ignited. "I’m still your husband! What is he, if not some opportunistic pretty boy? You throw money at him, and he gives you charming smiles. Do you honestly believe he cares about you?"

The insult in his words made Julian’s jaw tighten. He lowered his gaze, a flicker of wounded pride crossing his expression.

"Claire, snap out of it! Don’t humiliate yourself like this! If you come back to me, I’ll give you everything—my love, my devotion! I can offer you more than he ever could!" Lucas’s voice cracked with raw desperation.

Claire merely arched a brow, unfazed. "He enjoys my wealth, and I enjoy his beauty. A fair exchange, don’t you think? Far better than giving my all and receiving betrayal in return. As for your love… keep it. I’ve lost interest."

She laced her fingers with Julian’s and strode away, leaving Lucas rooted in place as if struck by a curse.

A crushing weight settled over his chest, suffocating him. His hands trembled violently, his vision blurring with unchecked fury and despair.

The pain in Lucas Bennett's eyes was unbearable.

His fingers trembled as they hovered over the phone screen, rereading Claire Dawson's last message for the hundredth time.

The words cut deeper with each glance.

"I can't do this anymore."

A cold emptiness settled in his chest.

The penthouse was too quiet, the city lights outside too bright.

Memories of her laughter, her warmth, haunted him.

He clenched his jaw, fighting the sting behind his eyelids.

"Claire..."

His voice cracked in the silence.

He had been so sure—so damn sure—that she would stay.

But she had walked away without looking back.

His phone buzzed.

A message from Alexander Whitmore.

"You okay?"

Lucas scoffed.

No. He wasn’t okay.

He tossed the phone onto the couch and ran a hand through his disheveled hair.

The truth was a blade twisting in his ribs.

He had pushed her too far.

And now she was gone.

His breath shuddered as he stared at the empty space beside him.

The space where she should have been.

Where she would have been, if he hadn’t been such a fool.

A bitter laugh escaped him.

Pride had cost him everything.

And now?

Now he had nothing.

Nothing but regret.

Lucas closed his eyes, his mind screaming the same desperate plea.

"Claire... what will it take for you to come back to me?"