Chapter 93: Love

"Lauren, don't you think Lucas is acting really strange?" Claire Grace murmured into the phone, curled up on her couch like a forlorn kitten. 

"Strange? Not at all. Seems perfectly normal to me," replied Lauren Wells from the other end, stifling a yawn. She lazily glanced at the clock on her nightstand, clearly unimpressed. "Seriously, Claire, it's past eleven. You're losing sleep over this?" Lauren rolled her eyes dramatically, though a knowing smirk played on her lips. *How oblivious can she be? Lucas is jealous of Blaine—how c n she not see it?*a

"But I don't get it! He hasn't spoken to me for seven hours. Seven hours, Lauren! And every time he looks at me, he just—ugh—grunts or gives me that cold look. It's so... unsettling," Claire whined. She traced the fabric of the couch nervously, replaying the day's events. "After Blaine left this afternoon, Lucas's mood just went downhill. He barely acknowledged me during dinner, then went upstairs without a word. I've tried everything—joking, teasing—but he just... ignores me."

"Seven hours, huh?" Lauren's voice laced with curiosity as she adjusted her position on the bed. Meanwhile, Roy Lin, her husband, took the opportunity to mischievously run a hand along her back, causing her to swat him playfully. 

"And what's he been doing upstairs?" Lauren continued, her tone betraying genuine interest. 

"He's in our room. He went straight there after dinner and hasn't come down since," Claire sighed heavily. 

"Then why aren't you up there with him?" Lauren asked incredulously. *Instead, you're calling me and ruining my honeymoon. Do I look like a relationship counselor?* Lauren shot a mock glare at Roy, who was now openly smirking at her distraction. 

"Because… because it'd be awkward!" Claire hesitated, suddenly feeling silly for her hesitation. 

"Awkward? You're married to him, Claire! What's there to be awkward about?" Lauren groaned. "And besides, didn't you say Lucas gets all flustered when you play cute? Go, do your thing. Melt his ice-cold mood."

"I-I don't know…" Claire stammered, her cheeks heating up at the thought.

Lauren rolled her eyes. "Don't 'I-I' me. If all else fails, seduce him. Remember that little *something* I told you to keep on hand? It's a guaranteed mood fixer." Her mischievous chuckle earned another groan from Claire.

"You mean *that*?" Claire's eyes widened as realization struck. "Oh, Lauren! I used it all last time. You didn't tell me how much to use, so I—uh—kind of used it all at once."

"Wait. All of it?!" Lauren was momentarily stunned. *That was supposed to last for three nights, minimum!* Then she burst into laughter. "Oh my God, you're unbelievable! And he still managed to look completely fine the next day? Lucas Zeller might actually be superhuman."

"Is that… bad?" Claire asked hesitantly, biting her lip.

"No, no, it's fine," Lauren reassured her between giggles. "But seriously, Claire, just talk to him. You're his wife, for crying out loud. He can't be mad at you forever. And if you keep overthinking this, the man's probably fallen asleep by now. Anyway, I have to go—Roy's being a little too *enthusiastic* about our alone time."

Before Claire could protest, Lauren hung up, leaving her staring blankly at the phone. 

"Fine," Claire muttered under her breath. Determined to figure things out, she hurried upstairs. 

When she reached their bedroom, however, her heart sank. Lucas was already fast asleep. 

Tiptoeing across the room, Claire slid under the covers beside him. She hesitated before gently draping an arm across his bare chest. Pressing her cheek against his broad back, she whispered softly, "Lucas, this is the first time I've really wanted to call you by your name, not just 'Mr. Zeller.' It feels... different. I don't know why you're upset with me, why you won't talk to me or even look at me. Did I do something wrong? Or… have you grown tired of me already?" 

Her voice trembled as she continued, "If you don't want me around, just say so. But please, don't shut me out like this—it hurts too much. And if it's someone else you've fallen for… I'll leave. I won't make it harder for you." 

She exhaled deeply, pulling her arm away and turning her back to him. *Maybe it's better this way,* she thought, fighting back tears. *If I let myself fall any deeper, it'll destroy me when he eventually moves on.*

Behind her, Lucas stirred. Slowly, he turned to face her. Wrapping her gently in his arms, he whispered, his voice full of warmth, "You're such a fool. Did you really think I'd grown tired of you? You didn't even notice I was jealous. And yet, I've fallen head over heels for this clueless, silly woman." 

His lips brushed against her hair as he pulled her closer, allowing himself a moment of quiet bliss. 

For Lucas, the real storm brewing wasn't Claire—it was the thought of seeing his daughter, Sarah, again tomorrow.