Chapter 3

3

Lucas's words hit me like a physical blow.

Still, I kept my face neutral as the engagement preparations continued.

My relationship with Lucas was turning from a simple deal into something far more complicated.

I began to look closer at this man who everyone called a shallow playboy.

The night before the engagement party, I was applying lotion after a shower when my door was kicked open.

Caleb stumbled in, smelling like whiskey, his eyes bloodshot.

When he saw me in my thin silk robe, his gaze turned intense and desperate.

"Elena!"

He lunged forward and grabbed my wrists. His grip was so tight it bruised, and his breath was hot against my face.

"Don't do this! Please, trust me one more time!"

His voice was a ragged whisper. Tears rolled down his face, dripping onto my hands.

I tried to pull away, but he held on with a terrifying strength.

"The debt, the ruined reputation... it's all a cover!" he hissed, his thumb brushing against the pulse in my wrist.

"I'm trying to draw out the people who killed my parents. One of them is a high-ranking executive in Miller Group!"

He dropped to his knees, burying his face against my stomach.

Through the thin robe, I could feel the heat of his breath and his trembling body.

"I can't let you get dragged into this mess! Annie and the baby... they're just shields!"

Looking at his broken state, a part of me wavered.

Three years of waiting and longing almost broke my resolve.

But then, I remembered the photos of him kissing Annie. I remembered the lonely nights in that hospital bed while he was buying her diamonds.

I tightened my fists and pulled back.

"Three years ago, I would have believed anything you said."

My voice was like ice. "Now, every word out of your mouth makes me want to vomit."

Caleb's face drained of color. He tried to reach for me again, his eyes wide with pain.

I hit the alarm button by my bed.

"Security!"

Two guards burst in immediately. They took one look at me in my robe and looked away.

"Miss, what should we do?"

I turned my back on Caleb, hugging my arms to my chest.

"Throw him out."

"Elena! You can't do this!" Caleb screamed as they dragged him away. "I did this for you! I love you!"

The door slammed shut, cutting off his desperate cries.

I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands shaking uncontrollably.

The next morning, the stylist dressed me in a custom black engagement gown.

In the mirror, I looked pale but determined.

As my car pulled out of the driveway, my father's phone rang. It was urgent.

"Elena, something's wrong!" my father's voice crackled with panic.

"Caleb is gone! He stole a modified SUV from the garage!"

My heart hammered against my ribs. My knuckles turned white as I gripped my phone.

What was he planning to do?

Lucas sat beside me, casually adjusting his cufflinks. "Don't worry. I've left a few surprises for him on the road."

I looked at him. "What did you do?"

Right then, the sound of a massive collision and sirens filled the air behind us.

Lucas's phone rang, and he put it on speaker.

"Sir, the target broke through the barricade. He's heading for the ballroom at high speed!"

The man on the phone sounded terrified. "He's driving like a maniac! He's already totaled three patrol cars!"

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