Chapter 99

Lucas Zeller trailed behind the two women as they walked into the supermarket, his sharp gaze flickering with unease. Blaire, his younger sister, suddenly turned back to him with a mischievous grin.

"Hey, Lucas," she said, her tone sweet but her intentions less so. "Why don't you head over to the produce section and grab the ingredients for dinner? Claire and I need to pick up some... *women's essentials*. We'll meet you when we're done—or I can call you."

Lucas frowned, her words immediately setting off alarm bells in his mind. "You two are going together?" he asked, his voice low, tinged with suspicion. It wasn't that he didn't trust Claire; it was Blaire's penchant for stirring up trouble that worried him. After all, hadn't he cut his last meeting short just to prevent them from spending too much time alone together? He knew Blaire well enough to sense her knack for causing chaos, and his gut told him she might say something to undermine his fragile relationship with Claire.

In reality, Blaire had every intention of doing just that.

"Fine," Blaire said with a sly smile, stepping closer to him. She lowered her voice, her next words delivered in a near-whisper. "Or... you could just buy everything for me—like you used to, Lucas. Tampons, bras... the whole shebang."

A flush of crimson crept up Lucas's face. The image of himself browsing aisles of feminine products under Blaire's smug instruction was enough to make his ears burn. He clenched his jaw, trying to steady himself. This was exactly the kind of bait Blaire excelled at throwing his way. She knew as well as he did how such a suggestion would sound to Claire.

"Absolutely not," Lucas said firmly, his voice tight with restrained irritation. He stepped forward, taking Claire's hand with a determination that brooked no argument. "We're buying the food. Blaire, you can handle your own shopping. We'll meet at the entrance when you're done."

But Blaire wasn't about to give up so easily. As Lucas tugged Claire toward the seafood section, Blaire grabbed Claire's other hand, pulling her back with an exaggerated pout.

"Lucas! Don't be so selfish!" Blaire protested. "I barely come to places like this. I don't even know where half the things are. Just let Claire help me for a bit, okay?" Her voice grew softer, tinged with an edge of melancholy. "You know, it's not like I have anyone else to turn to."

Her words hit their mark. Lucas stopped, glancing back at her with furrowed brows. Despite everything, she was still his sister—his younger sister, whom he'd protected and cared for since they were kids. And now she looked so genuinely upset, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, that even Lucas couldn't ignore it.

Claire, caught in the middle of their tug-of-war, sighed softly. She gently freed her hand from Lucas's grip. "Lucas, why don't you go ahead and start? I'll help Blaire, and we'll catch up with you later. It won't take long, I promise."

Lucas hesitated, his gaze flicking between the two women. Finally, he nodded begrudgingly. "Fine. But call me when you're done." He shot Blaire a warning look before walking away, his broad shoulders tense with residual frustration.

As Lucas disappeared into the distance, Blaire's somber expression melted into a triumphant smirk. She turned to Claire, her demeanor light and breezy.

"Thanks for staying with me, Claire. You're such a sweetheart," Blaire said, linking arms with her sister-in-law. "By the way, I've been dying to ask you something."

Claire glanced at her curiously. "What is it?"

"Well," Blaire began, her tone casual but her gaze sharp, "why did you agree to marry Lucas? I mean, you know about his... condition, right?"

Claire froze, her cheeks suddenly warm. "His condition?"

"Yeah, his ED," Blaire said bluntly. "Mom and Dad must have told you, right?"

Claire's mind reeled. How was she supposed to answer this? Should she tell the truth—that she'd married Lucas partly out of gratitude to the Zeller family and partly because, despite everything, she'd been captivated by him from the moment they met? Or should she sidestep the question entirely?

"Yes, I knew," Claire admitted finally, though her voice faltered slightly. Memories of Lucas flashed in her mind—not the Lucas Blaire described, but the man who had captivated her with his quiet strength and surprising tenderness. She found herself recalling moments of vulnerability he'd shared with her, moments that had made her fall for him even harder. And then there were... other moments. Intimate ones. Her cheeks reddened further as thoughts of Lucas's hands, his touch, and the heat of his gaze swept over her like a tidal wave.

"You knew? And you still married him?" Blaire pressed, incredulous. "What are you—some kind of saint? Or was it for the Zeller fortune?"

Claire flinched at the insinuation. "It wasn't like that," she said quickly. But before she could elaborate, Blaire leaned closer, her voice dropping conspiratorially.

"You really don't care that Lucas has a medical issue? I mean, isn't it... frustrating?"

Claire's heart raced. Blaire didn't know. She couldn't know. But her relentless questioning was pushing dangerously close to secrets Claire wasn't sure she could keep. Forcing a casual smile, Claire said lightly, "I wouldn't call it frustrating. After all, some things take time."

Blaire's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure? You don't seem like the type to settle for... disappointment."

Claire hesitated, her mind racing for an answer that wouldn't give anything away. "Let's just say," she said softly, "there's more to a relationship than... that."

Blaire fell silent, though her expression remained skeptical. As they turned down another aisle, her earlier triumph seemed to waver, replaced by a flicker of doubt.