Chapter 8

Lucas gathered all his courage and drove to the villa he had bought for Tessa, a place they used to meet secretly every day.

Tessa was already waiting for him.

As Lucas's car pulled into the driveway, she emerged from the house, dressed in the silk nightgown he had given her, her steps slow and deliberate. She threw herself into his arms, a seductive smile on her lips.

"Lucas, you finally came to see me! Did you take care of everything at home?"

Her familiar scent enveloped him, and for a moment, he was lost in it. How many times had he drowned in this scent? But now, it made his stomach churn.

Without thinking, Lucas roughly pushed her away, his gaze cold.

"Tessa, don't you want to explain what happened eight years ago?"

Tessa froze for a moment, but the look in her eyes quickly turned disdainful as she stared back at him.

"Lucas, don't be so childish. What's there to explain about eight years ago? Business is war. Your dad wasn't capable enough, so of course, he got eliminated. Go ask your dad at his grave about it, why ask me?"

Lucas stared at her, stunned by her audacity. His anger flared.

"Tessa, if your family hadn't set him up, would my father have died? Would Evans Corp have gone under?"

Tessa laughed, mocking him.

"Lucas, your dad committed suicide! Are you insane? Don't act like he was some saint who never set traps for others in his decades in business. You're so naive."

The playful, flirtatious Tessa had vanished, replaced by someone far colder. She glanced at Lucas, then turned to walk away.

Lucas didn't hesitate. He stepped back, got into his car, and started the engine. He watched her retreating figure, his foot slamming the gas pedal.

Two seconds later, the woman who had once fluttered like a butterfly now lay motionless in a pool of blood.

But Lucas wasn't done. He put the car in reverse, slammed the gas again, and ran over her, repeatedly.

Six months later, I saw Lucas again.

He had been sentenced to death for murder.

I met the man I had once loved in prison. He was no longer the sharp, confident man I remembered. His eyes, filled with regret, met mine.

"Aria, I've wronged you. Don't blame my mom. I've signed the divorce papers. I told her she can't handle the Evans business... so, I'm leaving it to you."

"Aria, I can never make it up to you in this life. In the next life, you can torment me instead. I'll let you torment me for eternity."

Tears streamed down Lucas's face, his words heavy with sorrow.

I thought I would feel heartbroken, torn apart by his confession. But for some reason, when I faced him, I felt... nothing.

"Lucas, your mom has always been good to me. Don't worry, I'll take care of her in her old age..."

I wanted to say more, but I opened my mouth and closed it, words dying on my tongue.

As I left the prison, I looked up at the bright blue sky outside, and for the first time, I knew what I needed to say.

Lucas, in the next life, let's not meet again...

The End