Chapter 2

2

I didn't sleep a wink that night. The next morning, Lucas came home.

His assistant had texted me that he was on his way, so I made breakfast and waited for him.

Lucas dropped his luggage, washed his hands, and came over to pull me into his arms. He kissed me lightly on the lips, then pulled back to look at me closely.

"Sia, what's with the dark circles under your eyes? Didn't you sleep well?" he asked with genuine concern.

My nose stung with the threat of tears. I forced a nod. "I had a nightmare. I couldn't fall back asleep."

Lucas rubbed my head, his voice as tender as always. "What was the nightmare about?"

Thinking about how he had spent the night with that woman made me want to scream. "I dreamt that you didn't want me anymore. That you were with someone else."

Lucas visibly stiffened. An awkward, fleeting expression crossed his face, but he quickly pulled me closer. "How could that happen? I'm never leaving you."

Hearing those words, a tiny spark of hope flickered in my chest. "Lucas, let's get married."

We had known each other for so long. He was a part of me, a limb I couldn't imagine living without.

If he was willing to break it off with that woman and marry me, I thought I could forgive him.

But Lucas just looked away, avoiding my eyes. He stayed silent, effectively dodging the topic.

Watching him, the truth finally sank in.

The vows we made about being together forever―I was the only one still desperately holding onto them.

Lucas walked over to the dining table and sat down. When he saw I wasn't moving, he gestured for me to join him.

I sat beside him. He picked up his fork, but I didn't have an ounce of appetite.

Lucas didn't seem to notice my mood. He just asked, "Sia, today is your birthday. Tell me what you want, and I'll have my assistant go get it."

I didn't say a word.

Lucas used to be so big on grand gestures. When we first started dating, he spent weeks planning gifts for every holiday.

When did it change to this?

When did he stop even picking out my gifts himself?

I shook my head. "Don't worry about it."

He didn't insist. "I booked a table at that French place you love. I'll have the assistant pick you up tonight."

I watched him eat while scrolling through his phone, talking to me like I was just a background noise in his life.

A sharp, stabbing pain twisted in my chest.

I choked back my tears and whispered, "Lucas, let's break up."

Lucas looked up, confused. "What kind of nonsense is that?"

"Look, I know I've been busy with the company lately and haven't given you enough attention. But I'm doing all of this for our future. Sia, don't be so dramatic, okay?"

His words made my tears finally overflow.

Lucas went to comfort me, but he was interrupted by his ringtone. He grabbed his phone and rushed into the bedroom. A minute later, he came back out.

He grabbed his jacket and headed for the door. "Sia, something came up at the office. I have to go. The assistant will pick you up for dinner tonight."

Before I could even respond, the door slammed shut. I was left alone in the silent house.

I stared at the door for a long time.

Just now, I had caught a glimpse of the name on his screen. It was Scarlett.

My stepsister's name.