Chapter 135: An Unexpected Turn

"Claire Grace, I just don't get you," Sarah exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air as she paced behind Claire. "You'd rather go off with that weirdo, Blaine Jackson, than give Lucas another chance? Honestly, this whole thing isn't as bad as you're making it out to be. So Blaire said she loves her brother—fine, let her have her feelings! It's not like Lucas is in love with her, and that's hardly his fault. I don't know what you've been brooding about these past few days, but you're being so stubborn!"

"You don't understand, Sarah," Claire muttered, her voice heavy with a sadness she couldn't fully articulate.

If only it were that simple, Claire thought. Lucas might have gone to such lengths to find her, but it wasn't love driving him—only guilt. It wasn't the deep, unyielding affection Sarah insisted it was.

"Don't understand? Please!" Sarah huffed. "Listen, you're a rookie when it comes to love. Me? I've got experience. And trust me, Lucas really does—"

"Claire Grace!" A familiar, low voice cut through the air, tinged with frustration and an edge of desperation.

Claire's heart seized. Turning instinctively, she bolted in the opposite direction, her legs moving faster than she thought possible. Behind her, Sarah froze, stunned.

"Claire, get back here right now!" Lucas Zeller roared, his voice echoing across the quiet street as he took off after her, swift as an arrow.

Unsurprisingly, it didn't take him more than two minutes to catch up. He grabbed her from behind, his arms locking around her waist like steel bands. Claire struggled briefly, but his fury erupted before she could say a word.

"You've got some nerve, you know that? Hiding from me for days, and now you run the moment you see me?" Lucas growled, his voice rising with every word. "Do you have any idea how worried I've been? How hard I've looked for you? Damn it, Claire!"

The familiar scent of his cologne enveloped her, making it impossible to ignore the warmth of his body against hers. Her initial tension gave way to a wave of sorrow, a deep ache she didn't know how to release.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Lucas's voice softened as he spun her around to face him. When he saw her tear-streaked face, his heart clenched painfully.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, brushing her tears away with his thumb. His touch was so gentle it made her want to cry even harder. "I shouldn't have yelled at you. I just… I'm relieved you're okay. That's all that matters." He bent down, his lips brushing hers in a fleeting, tender kiss. "Come home with me, Claire. Please. We'll sort everything out. I'll explain everything, I promise."

Home.

"I can't." Her voice broke as she pulled away, her trembling hands pushing against his chest. "I won't go back with you, Lucas. You don't love me. You never did. Isn't this what you wanted? Now you don't have to pretend anymore—not for Blaire, not for your parents."

Lucas froze, his brow furrowing in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

Claire's resolve wavered, but she forced herself to meet his gaze. "I'm a nobody. A small-town girl who doesn't belong in your world. You know it, I know it. I was just too naive to see it before. But Blaire reminded me. She made me see that no matter how much I love you, it'll never be enough to bridge the gap between us."

Lucas's expression darkened, his voice trembling with barely contained rage. "Claire. Stop this. Right now. You know that's not true."

"Isn't it?" she shot back, her eyes blazing with defiance. "I'm done, Lucas. Done with being lied to. Done with pretending this is real when it's not."

"Lied to? What lies?" His voice rose, sharp and cutting. "You think I don't love you? You think I'm lying about how I feel? Is that what Blaire told you?"

Claire glared at him, her hands balling into fists. "She didn't have to. You've been lying to me since the start, Lucas. You… you…" Her voice faltered as anger and hurt twisted inside her. Finally, she snapped. "I hate you! I hate you for making me love you!"

Lucas staggered back as if she'd struck him, his face a mask of shock and disbelief. "Claire…"

"Don't," she hissed. "Just… don't."

The air between them was thick with tension when Blaire Zeller appeared, hobbling toward them from Lucas's car. "Claire!" she called, her voice trembling. "I'm so sorry!"

Claire turned away, massaging her temples in frustration. The last thing she needed was Blaire's crocodile tears.

"I didn't mean to say those things," Blaire pleaded, grabbing Claire's arm. "Please, forgive me. I messed up, okay? I was wrong to say what I did. Don't be mad at Lucas because of me. It's my fault. I'll do anything to fix this—just, please, don't leave him."

Claire stared at Blaire, her heart twisting painfully. How could she forgive so easily when every word Blaire had spoken had left wounds that wouldn't heal?

"Your fault? Of course it's your fault!" Claire snapped, shaking Blaire off. "You've made it your mission to tear us apart, haven't you? Well, congratulations! You've won. I'm out of the picture. You can have him. I hope you're happy now."

Blaire gasped, stumbling backward. Before anyone could react, she fell with a sharp cry, landing hard on the pavement.

"Blaire!" Lucas was by her side in an instant, his hands hovering as she cradled her injured ankle. "Are you okay? What happened?"

"It's my ankle," Blaire whimpered, tears streaming down her face. "I must've twisted it again." She turned to Claire, her voice trembling. "Why… why did you push me?"

"I didn't!" Claire protested, horrified.

Lucas's piercing gaze locked onto her, his jaw tightening. "Claire, what did you do?"