Chapter 613

Claire was still half-asleep when her phone rang. The moment she heard Julian's voice, her foggy mind sharpened.

"What's wrong?" she mumbled, rubbing her tired eyes.

Julian's grip tightened around his phone before forcing himself to relax. "I'm outside your house."

"What?" The words didn't register immediately.

His voice came out rough, laced with exhaustion. "I'm standing outside Bennett Estate."

That jolted her awake. "Why are you at Bennett Estate?" The question slipped out before she could stop it.

Julian's eyes squeezed shut, bitterness flooding his senses.

"You're my girlfriend. You didn't come home last night. Don't I deserve an explanation?"

What he didn't say was that he'd spent the entire night pacing outside the gates.

A dull ache began pulsing behind Claire's temples.

She forced herself out of bed and descended the grand staircase.

The second she stepped outside, Julian rushed forward and crushed her in a desperate embrace.

"Why are you staying here? Why didn't you come home? Have you gone back to your ex-husband?"

"Claire, you spent the night in his house. Did you sleep together?"

Each accusation hammered against her skull.

She massaged her temples. "I came to pick up Sophia."

"Then why didn't you leave?"

"Sophia refused to go without her father." Claire sighed. "And I underestimated how difficult childcare would be."

Last night had been an eye-opener. She needed to hire a professional nanny before attempting to take Sophia home again.

Julian's voice cracked. "Is it really about Sophia? Or is this about you not being able to leave Lucas?"

Claire stiffened, anger flaring. "How could you say that?"

"Do I even matter to you?" Julian's voice broke. "Or do you think because I'm younger, my feelings don't count?" These doubts had tormented him through the long night.

He couldn't decipher Claire's true feelings anymore.

"Have you considered how this makes me feel? My girlfriend spending the night at her ex's mansion?"

Claire's headache intensified.

Her body still hadn't recovered from childbirth and the traumatic delivery. Exhaustion weighed down her limbs.

Faced with Julian's emotional outburst, her mind went blank. "Of course you matter."

But last night, all her focus had been on Sophia.

Holding her daughter had awakened primal maternal instincts. Nothing else had seemed important in that moment.

Julian wasn't Sophia's father. He was still young, still learning. He couldn't possibly understand.

Claire wanted to explain but words failed her.

Some experiences couldn't be shared.

"Did you come here just to fight?" She sighed. "Let's discuss this at home."

Julian shook his head violently.

"What now?" Claire frowned.

"You seem perfectly comfortable here." He took a step back, voice rising. "Maybe you should just stay!"

For the first time, Julian lost his temper with Claire. His usual gentle demeanor shattered as his voice cracked with raw emotion.

"Fine! Stay with him then!"

He turned and stormed off before she could respond.

Claire instinctively moved to follow, then remembered her recently healed leg fracture. Running wasn't an option.

She understood Julian's pain, but what choice did she have?

How could any mother abandon her child?

Lucas had finally allowed her to see Sophia. If she'd left last night, who knew when she'd get another chance?

Upstairs, Lucas observed the scene from his bedroom window.

After several failed attempts to call Julian, Claire trudged back inside.

Lucas sat at the dining table, calmly eating breakfast.

As she passed, she declared, "I'm taking Sophia with me."

Lucas set down his fork and leaned back. "Fine."

His immediate agreement startled her.

She hadn't expected him to give in so easily.

"I saw your little lover's tantrum." Lucas's tone dripped with amusement. "Dating a child must be exhausting. So emotional. So...dramatic."

Claire caught the mocking edge in his voice.

She shot him a glare. "Maybe I enjoy the passion."

Lucas chuckled. "Enjoy it? Claire, let's be honest. You're with him out of gratitude. He donated blood during your delivery." His gaze sharpened. "Gratitude isn't love. You've always loved me."

"Delusional!" Claire snapped, refusing to engage further. She marched upstairs to collect Sophia.

"You can take her," Lucas said suddenly, "under three conditions."

"First, my daughter is never left alone with your boy toy. You must supervise."

"Second, if she experiences any harm or discomfort, I reclaim custody immediately."

"Third," his eyes darkened, "no physical intimacy with your man while Sophia is present. No kissing. No sleeping together."

The final condition made Claire explode. "You're insane, Lucas!"

"My personal life is none of your business!"

"I won't have my daughter exposed to inappropriate behavior." Lucas smirked. "Can't handle it? Then leave Sophia with me. I, however, have no problem following these rules."

Claire rolled her eyes.

Was this his twisted way of proving his devotion?

They were divorced. His loyalty meant nothing now.

"Fine! I'll follow your ridiculous rules. But once Sophia leaves with me, don't expect to get her back!"

As Claire strode out, Lucas's lips curved into a knowing smile.

He watched her go, expression calm and assured, as if everything was proceeding exactly according to plan.