Chapter 612

Lucas's suggestion caught Claire completely off guard.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Stay here overnight?"

They'd been divorced for years. Now that she was in a new relationship, spending the night at Bennett Estate felt entirely inappropriate. Lucas seemed to read her thoughts.

He took two steps back toward the doorway. "The room's yours for the night."

With that, he even pulled the door closed behind him.

Claire pressed her ear against the wood, listening intently.

The sound of slippers against hardwood faded gradually until silence returned. Lucas had clearly left.

She exhaled slowly, turned the lock, then glanced at the sleeping infant on the bed.

Eleanor lay peacefully, her tiny cheeks flushed pink. The serene environment clearly made her feel safe and content.

But Claire had no intention of staying.

After scanning the empty hallway, she scooped Eleanor up, preparing to leave.

Just as she reached the foyer, Eleanor suddenly erupted into loud wails.

Claire froze, patting the baby's back. "Sweetheart, Mommy's taking you home," she whispered.

The crying only intensified.

Panic fluttered in Claire's chest.

Was she hungry again?

Impossible. She'd just been fed!

As Claire fumbled, the commotion drew Lucas downstairs.

He immediately took Eleanor from her arms.

The screaming infant quieted instantly against his shoulder.

Lucas studied Claire. "She's unsettled. I'll keep her tonight - she's comfortable with me." His gaze dropped to Claire's packed diaper bag and wrapped-up baby. One eyebrow arched. "Were you planning to kidnap my daughter in the middle of the night?"

Claire remained silent.

Lucas smirked. Cradling Eleanor with one arm, he grabbed Claire's wrist with the other, leading her back upstairs.

"It's late. Stop making trouble. Try again tomorrow if you must. I won't interfere. Fair?"

His tone was light, almost amused - completely devoid of the anger she'd expected. Claire blinked in surprise.

Before she could react, Lucas had already steered her back into the bedroom.

XXXXX

"When is Claire coming home?"

Julian watched Evelyn expectantly as she ended her call.

Evelyn stared at her darkened screen, fingers tightening slightly around the device.

After a pause, she said, "She's staying the night."

"Staying?" Julian's voice pitched higher as he sprang from the couch. "With Lucas?"

Evelyn pressed her lips together.

Claire had been vague - something about Eleanor clinging to Lucas, making departure impossible. As an expectant mother herself, Evelyn understood. She wouldn't abandon her child either.

But for Julian, Claire's current boyfriend, this situation was undoubtedly difficult to accept.

Before Evelyn could stop him, Julian had shoved his feet into shoes and stormed out.

XXXXX

With dawn approaching, Evelyn - hindered by her pregnancy - couldn't follow.

This was their private matter. She had no right to interfere.

Instead, she washed up and slept at Claire's apartment.

But sleep proved elusive.

A disturbing dream haunted her - Alexander cheating with Isabella, their naked limbs entwined.

She awoke trembling, a hollow ache in her chest.

Had Alexander betrayed her...?

At first light, restless, she checked her phone.

Overnight, her Twitter had exploded.

Sweet Savage had gained thousands of followers after Natalie's retweet. Meanwhile, a composition she'd casually posted days earlier had gone viral. Initially, comments praised her work. Then plagiarism accusations surfaced.

Evelyn chuckled dryly.

She knew every note was original.

But scrolling further revealed numerous accounts now accusing her of theft.

Even Natalie had trended last night due to the scandal.

Guilt twisted Evelyn's stomach.

She'd never even met Natalie, yet now the renowned musician's reputation was tarnished by association.

What a weekend.

Reviewing the comments, she traced the accusations to a single Twitter account.

The claimant provided "evidence" - drafts of Evelyn's composition.

Recognition struck.

She distinctly remembered tucking those drafts into her notebook at the orchestra. They'd disappeared afterward.

Someone at the orchestra must have stolen them.

The penalty for plagiarism there was immediate expulsion.

Who would dare?

XXXXX

At dawn, Lucas dressed to a security guard's report.

"Mr. Bennett, a suspicious man loitered outside all night."

Lucas moved to the window.

Pulling back the sheer curtains, he spotted Julian by the garden below, head bowed in dejection.

Morning light bathed him, yet he seemed shrouded in darkness.

Lucas's lips curved. "Ignore him."

The guard nodded and left.

Nearby, Claire rubbed her bloodshot eyes.

She hadn't anticipated infant care being so exhausting.

Last night had been sleepless.

Every time she lay down, Eleanor demanded feeding.

Adorable but demanding.

By dawn, Claire could barely keep her eyes open, yet Eleanor kept tugging at her.

Unfamiliar with childcare, Claire muddled through alone, not daring to disturb Lucas.

Eleanor's premature fragility terrified her - she'd nearly dropped the baby during a diaper change.

The memory still chilled her.

Just as dawn broke and Eleanor finally quieted, Claire attempted sleep.

Her phone rang immediately.

"Who is it?" she snapped without checking.

Julian paused, licking chapped lips. "Me."