Chapter 97

Blaire Zeller lit up the moment Lucas entered the room, her golden hair catching the light as she sprang up like a butterfly in flight. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around his neck, clinging to him dramatically. Claire Grace, watching the scene from the side, couldn't help but draw a mental comparison—Blaire reminded her of a golden-furred monkey clasping a tree branch. 

*Don't get mad, don't get jealous, and don't feel sad,* Claire silently reminded herself. Blaire was Lucas's sister, after all. 

"Lucas, I've missed you so much!" Blaire's voice came out in a high-pitched, exaggerated tone, the kind one might expect from a young child. She pressed her head against his chest, letting out a theatrical sigh. "You didn't even call me once while I was in California. Do you not care about me anymore?" 

Claire blinked in surprise, her large, dark eyes widening as she processed Blaire's words. Her jaw nearly dropped. Did Blaire, an adult woman, just ask her brother if he "liked" her? What on earth was she trying to accomplish here? 

Lucas, unbothered by Blaire's antics, gently pried her arms from his neck. His expression betrayed a faint weariness, though his voice remained calm. "Of course, I care about you, Blaire. I've just been busy with work. Besides, Mom and Dad were in California too—they must've told you everything you needed to know about me." 

Claire couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Lucas. His sister's behavior seemed over the top, even for a sibling reunion. 

Blaire huffed, flipping her golden locks over her shoulder with a dramatic flair. "Work, huh? You were too busy to call me, but you weren't too busy to get married?" Her sharp gaze flickered toward Claire, and a hint of disdain curled the edges of her lips. "Lucas, has your eyesight been getting worse lately?" 

Claire felt her stomach tighten. Blaire's veiled insult stung, but before she could react, Lucas was already moving to her side. His touch was gentle as he cupped her cheek, his voice soft. "What's wrong? I leave for one meeting, and I come back to find you upset?" 

"I'm fine," Claire started to say, but Blaire cut her off, a wide, mischievous grin plastered across her face. 

"Oh, come on, Lucas. Claire and I were just having a little chat," Blaire interjected smoothly, her tone sweet but insincere. She turned to Claire with a playful wink. "Right, Claire? We were having such a fun time getting to know each other." 

Claire hesitated. Was Blaire being sincere, or was this another one of her tricks? 

"Claire, Blaire has a habit of joking around," Lucas said gently, ruffling Claire's long, silky hair. His tone was patient, though the faint tension in his jaw suggested he wasn't entirely pleased with his sister's behavior. 

Blaire, sensing the shift, quickly adopted a more conciliatory demeanor. "Claire, you're not mad at me, are you? I mean, you're younger than me, but I still call you 'sister-in-law.' That's got to count for something, right?" 

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "And why do you feel the need to emphasize 'little' before 'sister-in-law' every time?" 

Blaire shrugged, her smile turning sheepish. "Come on, Lucas. It's just to make things clear. I'm older than her, and I don't want people thinking we're the same age." Her eyes sparkled with mischief, though she tactfully avoided saying anything more inflammatory. 

Lucas sighed, evidently unwilling to engage further. "Fine, Blaire. Call her whatever you want. Let's go eat." 

"We're not eating at home?" Blaire pouted, her lips forming an exaggerated frown. 

"No. Since you just got back, Claire and I thought it'd be nice to take you out for dinner," Lucas explained patiently, already guiding Claire toward the door. 

Blaire's pout deepened. "Lucas, you're so unfair. You know how much I love your cooking, and now you're dragging me to some restaurant instead? You're just using Claire as an excuse not to make dinner for me anymore." 

Claire froze. Was Blaire seriously trying to guilt-trip Lucas into cooking? 

Lucas chuckled, though the sound lacked humor. "Blaire, you know I rarely cook anymore. Claire handles most of the meals now." His gaze flicked toward Claire, and she caught the faintest glimmer of mischief in his eyes. 

"Then we'll eat at home!" Blaire declared triumphantly. Before Lucas could protest, she looped her arm through Claire's, flashing her a saccharine smile. "Come on, Claire. You don't mind, right?" 

Claire hesitated, unsure how to respond. She glanced at Lucas, who merely shrugged, seemingly resigned to his sister's whims. 

As Lucas went to retrieve the car, Blaire kept up her chatter. "So, Claire, do you know much about the company yet?" 

Caught off guard by the question, Claire tilted her head. "A little. I'm still learning the ropes." 

"Well, let me fill you in," Blaire said smugly. "I'm the Creative Director, and I specialize in fragrance design. Lucas relies on me for so much. Without me, things would fall apart around here." Her words carried a heavy note of self-importance, and Claire could only nod along. 

When Lucas pulled the car around, Blaire quickly slipped into the passenger seat, leaving Claire to sit in the back. 

"Sorry, Claire," Blaire said with an unapologetic grin. "I get carsick if I sit in the back." 

Claire blinked, confused. A person who could endure long flights but got carsick? Something about that didn't add up.