CHAPTER 58
The faint hum of jazz floated through the air, mixing with the distant sound of city traffic.
Lucas sat in his tidy apartment, buried in stacks of paperwork. His study was pristine—everything arranged in sharp order, just the way he liked it. The only thing out of place was the cup of coffee beside him, untouched, steam curling lazily into the air.
He scribbled notes on a legal brief, eyes sharp and focused.
Then, his phone buzzed.
He glanced down, saw the name flashing across the screen—and frowned.
Rachelle.
He stared at it for a moment. They hadn't spoken since the breakup a few weeks ago. She had ended it, walked away without a word of goodbye. And now—she was calling?
With a heavy sigh, he answered, tone flat. "Yeah?"
Her voice came through shaky and tearful. "Lucas… please don't hang up."
He said nothing.
"I—I miss you," she stammered, her voice cracking. "I've made mistakes. I know that. But I can't stop thinking about you. Please, Lucas… just give us one more chance."
Lucas leaned back in his chair, jaw tight. He stared at the blank wall ahead of him.
"Rachelle," he said finally, voice calm but cold. "We're done."
"No, please—"
"There's no going back," he cut in. "No second chances."
Silence hung between them, thick and suffocating.
Then Rachelle's tone shifted—her tears turning bitter. "So that's it? You just moved on? I heard what happened. You bailed out Kate Dray, didn't you?"
Lucas didn't answer.
"She's the reason, isn't she?" Rachelle snapped. "You've got feelings for her. Why else would you go behind everyone's back to help her?"
Lucas clenched his jaw. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, I know," she hissed. "You were always distant with me. Always… emotionally somewhere else. Now I know why."
Lucas sat forward, his voice dropping low—dangerously calm.
"You want to know why I helped Kate?"
Silence.
"She was the only one who stood by me when I lost everything in Texas," he said. "When my firm collapsed, when my reputation went to pieces, when my so-called friends disappeared—she stayed. She helped me get back on my feet, no questions asked."
"She's just a woman—"
"No," Lucas snapped. "She's more than that. And you? You left. When I was drowning, you didn't even throw me a rope."
Rachelle's voice faltered. "Lucas, I—"
"I owe Kate my loyalty," he said firmly. "It's not about feelings. It's about honor. Something you clearly don't understand."
Then his voice turned sharp. "Don't ever call this number again."
"Lucas—!"
"If you do," he said coldly, "you won't like what happens."
He ended the call.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Lucas stared at the phone for a long second, then set it down.
He picked up his now-cold coffee and took a slow sip.
"Some people," he muttered, "only show up when it's too late."
Then, without another word, he leaned over and returned to his files—his mind calm, his focus sharper than ever. Whatever storm was brewing around Kate, he'd stand at her side.
Not because he loved her.
Because she once saved him.
And now it was his turn to return the favor.
---
Three Weeks Later
The sunlight slanted through the bedroom window, casting warm golden stripes on the floor.
Kate sat on the edge of the couch, barefoot, her hand resting gently on her growing belly. The mansion was silent except for the faint chirping of birds beyond the window.
She leaned back slightly, letting her head rest against the cushion.
The past few weeks had felt like a dream.
Breakfast in bed. Gentle back rubs. Surprise dinners from William. Love notes slipped into her bag. Prayers whispered over her belly. A dozen small, thoughtful gestures.
Any woman would be thrilled.
But still… she felt distant.
Grateful—yes. But distant.
Her fingers traced slow circles on her stomach.
Is this all just for the baby?
The thought had haunted her for days now. William had done everything right—but something inside her remained cautious, afraid to hope too deeply.
A sharp flutter under her palm snapped her out of thought.
She gasped. Then stilled.
Another kick.
Her eyes widened, then sparkled. A slow, tender smile appeared on her face.
"You kicked…" she whispered. "Good… you're healthy. You're strong."
She laughed softly, tears pricking her eyes.
"You're getting the love you deserve," she said, still smiling.
Then, her smile faded.
"I just wish your father had felt that," she murmured.
William was away on a business trip. He'd been gone for two days. And somehow, she missed him—not just for what he did, but for who he was.
Her heart ached. The emotional distance between them had grown so slowly, she hadn't noticed. But now… she couldn't ignore it.
---
Later That Evening
A knock at the door startled her.
She got up, cautiously walking to the front entrance.
A well-dressed delivery person stood with a sleek white box and a black envelope.
"For Mrs. Kate Dray," he said, handing her the package.
She blinked. "From who?"
"Just the note, ma'am."
He tipped his cap and left.
Inside the envelope was a card.
"Wear this tonight. A friend wants to see you. Restaurant address enclosed."
Kate opened the box.
Inside lay a luxurious red velvet dress. Elegant. Daring. Tailored perfectly to her shape.
She hesitated—but something in her heart tugged. Curiosity, mixed with hope.
She got dressed.
---
The restaurant glowed under soft lights, candlelit chandeliers sparkling like stars.
Kate entered slowly, guided by the hostess to a private section.
And there he stood.
William.
Dressed in a deep navy suit, his tie loosened casually, his face soft and full of warmth.
"Surprise," he said.
Kate stood frozen.
"I came back early," he said, walking to her. "I needed tonight. With you."
He pulled out her chair and helped her sit.
The table was covered in roses. The air smelled of vanilla and wine.
"You look… breathtaking," William said, his voice low.
Kate smiled faintly. "You planned this?"
He nodded.
Dinner passed like a dream—warm food, light laughter, quiet compliments.
At one point, William took her hand across the table.
"I know I've been doing everything I can," he said, voice gentle. "But I don't just love the baby, Kate… I love you."
Her eyes welled instantly.
"I never stopped," he said. "And I want us to be more than just parents. I want us to be a family."
Kate swallowed a lump in her throat.
"The baby…" she whispered, "…kicked for the first time when you weren't there."
William's eyes widened. "Really?"
She nodded.
He rose instantly, walked around the table, and knelt before her belly.
He placed a hand on it, reverent and slow.
Then, he kissed it.
"I won't miss another moment again," he whispered.
---
That night, they didn't say much.
But as Kate leaned her head on his shoulder, with soft jazz playing in the background, the walls inside her heart began to crumble.
Maybe… just maybe… they could really be happy.
To be continued...