Chapter 3

As expected, the moment the reporters spotted me, they swarmed, like a pack of starving wolves finally catching the scent of blood.

Cameras flashed. Microphones shoved in my face.

"Mrs. Evans, did you see the photos of Mr. Evans and Miss Sanders at last night's launch event?"

"Mrs. Evans, is your marriage in trouble?"

"Mrs. Evans, Miss Sanders insists she and Mr. Evans are just like siblings. Do you believe that?"

"Mrs. Evans, Miss Sanders checked into this hotel with Mr. Evans last night, but this morning, you're the one leaving with him. Any comments?"

Every question started with Mrs. Evans.

And every single one was meant to humiliate me.

I turned slightly, meeting Lucas's gaze.

The hatred in his eyes was bone-deep. Cold. Unwavering.

What kind of grudge could make a man so desperate to destroy someone that he was willing to drag himself through the mud to do it?

A dull ache pounded at my temples.

I was exhausted.

Too drained to entertain this spectacle.

Summoning the last of my strength, I pushed through the mob and walked away.

I had barely made it to the first intersection when a sleek black car pulled up beside me.

Lucas rolled down the window, his tone indifferent.

"Get in, unless you want them tailing you all the way home."

I hesitated.

Then I glanced over my shoulder, at the flashing cameras, the relentless reporters still hovering like vultures,

And without another word, I got in.

It wasn't until I settled into the seat that I noticed it,

Dark red staining my dress.

Seeping through the fabric between my legs.

I tensed, shifting slightly to cover it, but Lucas's sharp eyes had already caught on.

His brows furrowed as he looked over.

"Is the baby okay?"

I opened my mouth to answer,

But before I could, his phone rang.

The name on the screen made my stomach turn.

Tessa.

Lucas answered instantly.

Her voice came through, soft and trembling.

"Lucas, my family's pressuring me to get married again. They're giving me a week… What do I do? Please, think of something."

A young woman's teary plea. Heartbreak carefully laced into every word.

Lucas's grip on the steering wheel tightened.

Then, as if he'd already made up his mind, he pulled over.

A long silence stretched between us.

Then he spoke.

"A week is enough. I'll propose to you."

I felt my stomach lurch.

Tessa whispered something on the other end, her voice sticky sweet.

Lucas murmured reassurances before finally hanging up.

The car was dead silent.

I stared out the window, watching the world blur past.

After a while, Lucas turned to me, something unreadable flickering in his gaze.

"It's just for show. Don't take it seriously."

I didn't respond.

He restarted the engine, then glanced at me again.

"What were we talking about before?"

I didn't turn my head.

Didn't even blink.

My voice was eerily calm as I repeated his words back to him.

"We weren't talking about anything. I forgot too."

Lucas nodded. Said nothing else for the rest of the drive.

That's when it finally hit me.

My husband was about to propose to another woman.

And it just so happened to be on the same day I was leaving the Evans family.

How fitting.

How utterly pathetic.