Chapter 110: Departure

Claire Grace had just stepped into the elevator when Blaire Zeller stormed into Lucas Zeller's office.

"Lucas, you're really spoiling your little wife, aren't you? You even got her a credit card of her own," Blaire's tone was dripping with sarcasm as she leaned against his desk, arms crossed.

"And what's wrong with that? Spending on my wife is only natural," Lucas replied coolly. He shrugged off his navy blazer, tossing it onto the couch, and settled into his chair. He opened a hefty book on perfumery, his focus seemingly unshaken.

Blaire's face scrunched in annoyance as she watched him. "It's lunchtime, Lucas. Don't tell me you're planning to stay here and work through it." Her voice carried a hint of challenge, her sharp gaze fixed on him. "Ever since Claire left, you've looked like someone stole your favorite toy."

"I'm not hungry," Lucas said without looking up. "And I'm not in the mood."

"But I am!" Blaire retorted, placing her hands on his desk. "Don't tell me you've lost your appetite just because Claire isn't around. Or is it that you don't want to eat with me?"

"Blaire," Lucas sighed, "you're overthinking this again. If you're hungry, go grab lunch or order in. I'll join you if that makes you happy."

Silence fell between them, an unusual quiet that made Lucas glance up. His eyes caught the shimmering trail of a tear sliding down Blaire's cheek.

"Blaire…" Lucas softened, feeling a pang of guilt. "You know I hate seeing you cry. How about we order something nice and eat here together?"

Blaire sniffled, her lips trembling. "You don't like me anymore," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"That's not true," Lucas said firmly, though a part of him silently admitted he had grown weary of her stubbornness.

"Then why won't you have lunch with me like you used to? Remember how we'd always book a table somewhere nice? You'd take me out before noon hit. What changed?"

Lucas pinched the bridge of his nose, choosing his words carefully. "Blaire, let's be honest. Did you mean it when you told Claire you've 'figured things out'? Because from where I'm standing, it doesn't seem like you have."

Blaire's shoulders stiffened, her gaze dropping. "I did mean it... at least part of it." Her voice wavered. "I do understand we're not real siblings, Lucas, and that things can't be the way I want them to be. But I can't just stop loving you."

Lucas exhaled deeply, his brows knitting together. "Blaire, I've always seen you as family. That's why I cared so much, why I protected you. But this... this is different. We can't keep blurring those lines."

"You say that, but you've always cared more than a brother would," Blaire shot back. "Why else would you get so angry when Roy Lin asked me out? You didn't want me to be with him."

"I was looking out for you because I knew you didn't truly like him, and he didn't truly like you. It had nothing to do with jealousy." His voice was calm but firm, his eyes filled with conviction.

Blaire shook her head in disbelief. "You're lying. You're just scared to admit you love me."

Before Lucas could respond, Blaire lunged forward, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Can't we just go back to how things were?" she pleaded, her voice muffled against his shoulder.

"Blaire, stop this." Lucas's tone hardened as he pried her arms away. "If you don't, I'll have no choice but to send you back to New York."

Her hands dropped to her sides, her eyes wide with shock. "You'd send me away? You really hate me that much?"

Lucas's heart sank. "I'm trying to protect you, Blaire. From yourself, from this. If you stay like this, neither of us will find peace."

Tears streamed down Blaire's face as she stumbled toward the door. "Fine. If you want me gone, I'll leave. And I won't come back!" With that, she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Lucas ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling to the surface. He swept the thick book and a few papers off his desk in a single, angry motion. They hit the floor with a resounding thud.

"Damn it, Blaire," he muttered, his voice hoarse with emotion. He couldn't stand seeing her hurt, but he also knew that continuing this charade would only cause more pain in the long run.

A gnawing sense of dread settled in his chest. Blaire had always been impulsive, prone to making reckless decisions in the heat of the moment. If she truly believed he didn't care, she might do something drastic.

Pushing his chair back, Lucas bolted for the elevator. When he reached the lobby, he caught sight of an employee, Todd, just coming in from lunch.

"Todd, did you see Blaire? Which way did she go?"

"Yeah, she ran out looking pretty upset," Todd said. "She went left, toward the main street."

Without another word, Lucas sprinted outside, his eyes scanning the bustling sidewalks. His heart pounded as he raced down the street. Finally, at the far end of the block, he spotted Blaire standing at a crosswalk, waiting for the light to change.

"Blaire!" he called out, his voice cutting through the city noise.

Blaire turned, her face lighting up briefly. But as she tried to step toward him, the crowd surged around her. In the chaos, someone jostled her, sending her stumbling forward—right into the path of oncoming traffic.