Chapter 121: **Shock vs. Anger

The situation unfolded in an unexpected direction. 

Lucas Zeller was at the hospital, about to call his parents, Helen and Thomas Zeller, who were currently in the United States. However, his sister, Blaire Zeller, reacted strongly. 

"Lucas, why do you have to call Mom and Dad back? Don't you think telling them about my injury will only make them worry and upset?" 

Lucas's brows furrowed. "But you won't let a nurse stay overnight with you, and you refuse to let Claire take care of you. I'm out of options, Blaire! This is the only way to make sure someone is here for you." He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident. Blaire's demands were becoming increasingly exhausting—three or four visits during the day and then staying with her overnight? It was consuming most of his time, leaving him barely any to himself or Claire. 

"If you call them back, I'll refuse the IV treatment!" Blaire threatened, her eyes narrowing with determination. She had no intention of giving up her plan, even if it meant resorting to such measures. 

"Blaire, you're being unreasonable!" Lucas snapped. "At first, you asked me to wait a few days before telling them so they wouldn't worry. But now you don't want them to know at all? Your body is yours—stop using it to threaten me! Do you think you'll recover from a broken bone in two or three days without proper care?" 

"I know it takes time, Lucas," Blaire replied, her voice softer. "But considering I'm already injured, can't you just not tell them? What will I even say when they ask how I got hurt? They've always believed my attachment to you was just a sibling thing." 

Lucas slumped into a chair, exasperation washing over him. "I don't understand what you're being so stubborn about." 

"I'm not being stubborn! I just don't want anyone but you here with me!" Blaire burst out, the words escaping her lips before she could think better of them. 

Lucas froze, his dark eyes narrowing. "So, you finally admit it. You don't like Claire, and you don't want Mom and Dad to know about this because you're selfishly trying to keep me to yourself. Is that it?" 

"No! Lucas, I love you. This isn't selfish—it's not torment!" Blaire sat up abruptly, her IV line swinging with the movement. 

"How many times do I have to tell you? What you feel for me isn't normal!" Lucas's voice rose, his frustration boiling over. "You constantly cling to me, cause trouble, and push everyone else away—how is that not torment?" 

"You don't love me, and that's fine," Blaire said, her voice cracking with pain. "But how can you call my love for you abnormal? Do you think it's fun to love someone you can't have?" 

"Then stop going down this road if it hurts so much!" 

"I can't!" Blaire cried, clutching her head. "Do you know what it was like for me in America? Every night, I couldn't sleep without looking at your picture. You're in my heart, Lucas, and I can't erase you!" 

Lucas's breath hitched. He had no idea her feelings ran so deep. 

"I even know the medical record you showed me—claiming you had ED—was likely fake," Blaire continued, tears streaming down her face. "With Roy Lin's wife as the hospital director, it wouldn't have been hard for you to get that report." 

She paused, her sobs growing louder. "I thought moving to America and putting distance between us would help me forget you. But I was wrong. The farther I was, the clearer your face became in my mind. And then, just as I decided to come back, Mom and Dad showed up with devastating news—you'd married someone else. You have no idea how much it hurt. I wanted to die, Lucas, but I couldn't let go of you…" 

Lucas's chest tightened as he watched her bury her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with sobs. 

Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself. "No matter what you feel, I can't and won't respond to your feelings. I've never lied to you. What I feel for you is sibling affection, nothing more. And now that I'm married, I can't betray Claire. You need to accept that." 

"I don't understand!" Blaire looked up, her tear-streaked face filled with anguish. "If it weren't for Mom and Dad pushing you, you wouldn't have married a stranger! You once said you wouldn't settle down until you were thirty-five. But you're years away from that!" 

"That's enough!" Lucas's voice thundered. "Don't insult Claire! She agreed to this marriage out of kindness and gratitude. She's never once asked for anything from me or the family." 

"She's pretending to be innocent! Once she earns your trust, she'll take everything!" Blaire shot back. 

"I won't let you slander her," Lucas said coldly. "Get some rest. I'm leaving." 

"Lucas, wait!" Blaire tried to climb out of bed, only to tug her IV line free. Blood began dripping onto the sheets, her pale hands frantically trying to staunch the flow. 

"Blaire!" Lucas turned back, alarmed at the sight of the blood. He rushed to her side, grabbing a cotton swab to press against the wound and ringing for the nurse. 

"What were you thinking? Why would you hurt yourself like this?" he demanded, his voice tight with anger and worry. 

"I wasn't trying to hurt myself! I just didn't want you to leave!" Blaire sobbed. 

The nurse arrived, stabilizing her condition after a tense thirty minutes. Lucas stared at his sister, his emotions tangled. 

"You rest. I'll have a nurse look after you. I'll come back later." Without another word, he left, leaving Blaire staring blankly at the door, her lips trembling as unspoken words hovered in the air.