Chapter 101: Because of You

Blaire noticed Lucas's nostrils flare slightly, and she knew it was because of the faint scent of *Kiss Me BB* lingering on her. Suppressing a sly smile, she lowered her head and murmured softly, "Lucas, did you stop producing *Kiss Me BB* because of me?"

Her question hung in the air, teasing but loaded with deeper meaning. Why else would the signature fragrance be discontinued right after she left the country?

"That's ridiculous," Lucas replied curtly. His sharp gaze flicked toward her as he stood abruptly, moving to another couch further away. He switched on the television, the volume rising enough to make conversation more difficult. It wasn't subtle, but he hoped Claire wouldn't notice from the kitchen. After all, he was merely trying to head off another uncomfortable conversation with Blaire.

"Lucas, Blaine is attending the *Liquid Diamond* launch, isn't he?" Blaire asked casually as she perched on the armrest of his chosen couch, her golden hair cascading down, its silky strands brushing against his shoulder.

Lucas sighed inwardly. No matter how much distance he tried to maintain, she always found a way to close the gap. "You know about the *Liquid Diamond* launch?" he asked, a note of surprise in his voice.

"Of course. It's the pinnacle of the luxury perfume world. Why wouldn't I know?" Blaire replied, a hint of pride coloring her tone. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned slightly closer. "Besides, you know I've always followed the industry. I've kept an eye on everything—just to feel closer to you."

Her last words were barely above a whisper, yet they cut through the hum of the TV. Lucas shifted uncomfortably. He was already familiar with Blaire's unwavering dedication to him, but it never made these moments easier.

"What are you planning this time?" he asked flatly, careful to keep his tone neutral.

"I want to come back to work," Blaire declared with an air of finality.

Lucas arched an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. "You want to return to the company?" he echoed, his voice laced with skepticism.

"Yes. I think I've stayed away long enough," Blaire replied, her tone suddenly resolute. "It's time to take my place again."

"That's fine," Lucas said after a pause. "Your timing is actually good. With Claire taking some leave recently, my workload has nearly doubled. If you're back, you can help ease the pressure." His mind briefly wandered to the possibilities—more time with Claire, perhaps even a long-overdue honeymoon. He caught himself before the thought lingered too long.

"Don't you want to know why I'm coming back?" Blaire pressed, her blue eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made Lucas uneasy.

"I'd prefer not to know," he said bluntly. Lucas wasn't in the mood to entertain the answer he already suspected. Blaire's persistence had always been an uphill battle, one he'd tried to end countless times. He hoped his indifference would discourage her, but deep down, he knew better.

Predictably, Blaire didn't let it go. Her voice softened, taking on a vulnerability she rarely showed. "It's because of you, Lucas."

Lucas clenched his jaw. He didn't need to hear those words to know what they meant. Blaire had said the same thing so many times before. Once, when she was younger, he might have dismissed it as an innocent mix of gratitude and admiration. But after she turned eighteen, those three words had taken on a weight that made him deeply uncomfortable.

"You need to stop this, Blaire," Lucas said firmly, his eyes narrowing. "This... infatuation you have with me isn't what you think it is."

Blaire tilted her head, her expression challenging. "How do you know what I feel?"

"Because I know you," Lucas shot back. "You're confusing love with gratitude. I've always been there for you, and I always will be, but not in the way you think."

He paused, trying to gauge her reaction. Blaire's silence only unnerved him further. Memories of their strained relationship over the years flashed through his mind—her relentless attempts to prove her feelings, his increasingly drastic efforts to create distance.

One night stood out more than any other. It was the night Blaire had sabotaged his bedroom lights, leaving him stumbling in the dark after a long day. The night ended with her pressing her body against his, her lips seeking his in a moment that had sent him into a cold fury. He had pushed her away, the sting of betrayal sharper than any anger he'd felt before.

It was then that Lucas had made his most desperate move—fabricating a lie about his health. He'd claimed that his past indiscretions had left him with an irreversible condition, a story backed by a forged medical report from Shauna's clinic. It had been enough to drive Blaire away to the United States, at least for a time.

But now, seeing her sitting so close again, her eyes filled with that same unrelenting determination, Lucas realized that the lie hadn't ended anything. It had only delayed the inevitable confrontation.

"Blaire," Lucas said, his voice low and steady, "if you're back because you think something has changed between us, let me make this clear—it hasn't."

Her smile didn't falter. If anything, it grew softer, more knowing. "We'll see, Lucas. We'll see."