Chapter 602

Lucas's pulse hammered violently as he crushed Claire against his chest.

His fingers dug into her slender waist. With closed eyes, he captured her lips in a bruising kiss, savoring the familiar taste that still drove him wild.

After three years of marriage, he knew every curve, every sensitive spot of her body like the back of his hand. His touch traced deliberate patterns along her spine.

But Claire only felt suffocating despair.

"Lucas, don't make me despise you!" She wrenched free and delivered a stinging slap across his face.

The sharp crack shattered the tense silence between them.

"Even divorced, you still crave me? How pathetic!" Tears burned in Claire's eyes. "Should I hire escorts for you? If you won't return Bella, we'll settle this in court! Your touch makes my skin crawl!"

She spun on her heel and stormed out, the door slamming behind her. Lucas stood frozen, watching her retreat with leaden steps.

000

"Court?"

"Is this really where we've ended up?"

A bitter smile twisted Lucas's lips as anguish flooded his chest.

Outside, Evelyn rushed to Claire's side, taking in her red-rimmed eyes.

"Did you see her?"

Claire shook her head, biting her quivering lip.

Evelyn recognized that shattered expression - she'd worn it herself too many times.

She wrapped a comforting arm around Claire's shoulders. "Let's get you some air."

Julian paced like a caged tiger outside the Bennett estate when he spotted Claire's tear-streaked face.

"That bastard!" Claire choked out. "All I wanted was to see my daughter! He's using her to force me to leave you!"

Julian staggered back as if struck.

He'd never imagined his presence in Claire's life would cost her access to her child.

The realization hit him like a physical blow. "This is my fault."

"I failed to protect the woman I love. Now she's suffering because of me."

His hands clenched into white-knuckled fists, veins standing out along his forearms as he glared at the mansion.

With Claire's emotions in tatters, Evelyn guided her into the car to compose herself.

Julian excused himself to buy water - then marched straight for the Bennett estate.

When he found Lucas, he grabbed him by the collar and slammed his fist into that arrogant face.

"Was making her cry your grand plan?" Julian snarled. "Is this how you love someone? By breaking them? What kind of man does that?"

Lucas reeled from the unexpected blow. Regaining balance, he retaliated with a vicious right hook.

"You're just her kept boy, living off Claire's money. What would you know about love?"

"Without her wealth, you'd be nothing. If she were penniless, would you still cling to her?"

Julian stood his ground. "In a heartbeat! I love her, not her bank account! I'd love her if she lived in a cardboard box!"

Lucas's laugh dripped with contempt.

"Without Claire paying off your family's debts, you'd be rotting in some gutter."

"Love? You're a gold-digger too deluded to admit it. Tell me - do you even know where your affection ends and your greed begins?" Lucas's words were calculated to eviscerate. "I've tolerated you because you're beneath my notice. Frankly, I don't consider you a man at all."

Julian's chest heaved with barely contained fury.

"You look down on me from your gilded tower," he shot back. "Everything was handed to you - you've never had to fight for anything in your life."

"Your so-called superiority is an accident of birth. The only difference between us is your head start."

"Your arrogance blinded you, Lucas. That's why you lost her."

"In love, we stand as equals. Claire left you because she saw your true colors. She chose me."

"Can't stomach being bested by someone you consider inferior? Tell me - do you actually love her? Or is this just your bruised ego refusing to lose?"

Lucas blinked, startled by Julian's unexpected eloquence. Each barb struck deeper than the last.

The air between them crackled with hostility.

Just as fists might fly again, Alexander materialized between them.

He positioned himself in front of Lucas. "Julian, you should go."

Lucas bristled. "Alexander! You're supposed to be my friend!"

Alexander remained calm. "Evelyn sees him as family. That makes him off-limits."

Julian wiped blood from his split lip and nodded at Alexander before turning away.

Lucas's expression darkened.

"If I can't win her back, I'm moving in with you and Evelyn," Lucas threatened petulantly. "I'll be your permanent third wheel."

Alexander arched an eyebrow. "Don't blame me for your failed marriage. Kidnapping her child? Really? Have you completely lost your mind?"

"While you were playing tyrant, Julian was actually caring for her. Feeding her. Supporting her. If you were her, who would you choose?"

Frustrated, Lucas drove his fist into the wall.

"I've never had to chase a woman before! How was I supposed to know threats would backfire?"

In a foul mood, Lucas dragged Alexander out for drinks.

Midway through their session, Isabella appeared.

"Alexander, I don't know anyone here. Mind if I join you?"

When a server brought fresh glasses, Isabella quickly poured whiskey into Alexander's tumbler. As the men talked, she grew increasingly anxious watching Alexander ignore his drink.

Lucas thrust his glass toward her. "Why only serve him? What am I, invisible?"

Isabella curled her fingers nervously. "Lucas, you've had enough. It's not healthy."

"Since when do you—"

His words cut off as he suddenly slumped forward, unconscious.

Alexander frowned and signaled for staff to carry Lucas to a couch.

Meanwhile, Isabella's gaze kept returning to Alexander's untouched drink.

She couldn't push too obviously - he'd see right through her.

As Alexander prepared to leave, she saw her chance.

"Such a waste," she murmured, reaching for his glass. "Let me finish it for you."

Just as the rim touched her lips, Alexander snatched it away. "You have your own drink!"

In one swift motion, he downed the contents.

Her eyes widened slightly as he drained the glass.