Chapter 145: Explanation vs Threat

Lucas Zeller paused mid-step, his brows furrowing deeply as he spun around, frustration evident in his eyes.

"Can you stop using this trick every time? Do you really think hurting yourself will make people forgive you? You're not a child anymore! I'm begging you—can you please stop being so immature next time?" His voice rose, thick with anger, yet he still walked forward, crouched down, and scooped her into his arms. "This is the last time I'm carrying you! If you still want to be my sister, then do me a favor—let me go. Stop saying you love me, and stop interfering with my relationship with Claire. Otherwise, you need to disappear from my life!"

Blaire Zeller's eyes widened in shock before she bit down hard on her lower lip.

She knew Lucas was serious this time. The determination in his eyes left no room for doubt.

"...Lucas, I understand, I—"

Suddenly, the door swung open with a bang, and two figures—one man and one woman—froze in the doorway, looking completely stunned.

"Roy, is this the unexpected surprise you mentioned?" Claire Grace stared at Lucas holding Blaire, her eyes quickly filling with tears.

"I... I have no idea why he's holding her. I don't know what happened between them." Roy Lin looked equally puzzled.

"Claire, don't misunderstand. I..." Lucas panicked, immediately putting Blaire back on the hospital bed. He turned to Claire, desperation clear in his voice. "It's not what it looks like—I can explain!"

"Not what it looks like?" Claire let out a sarcastic laugh. "So I imagined you holding her in your arms just now? Do you think I'm blind?"

"I did hold her, but it's not what you're thinking! She fell off the bed, and with her injured foot, she couldn't stand up. That's the only reason I picked her up."

"Oh? She fell again? What a coincidence. Funny how every time I'm around, she just happens to fall." Claire's voice dripped with skepticism.

"...What are you implying?" Lucas's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Nothing. Just that it's quite a coincidence how you're always in such an intimate position with her when she falls." Claire's voice trembled, trying to suppress her emotions.

"Claire, maybe you're misunderstanding Lucas," Roy interjected. "You know Blaire's foot really is injured—"

"So she needs him? Right, I get it." Claire nodded thoughtfully, then tilted her head back to fight the tears threatening to fall.

"You get it? What exactly do you think you understand?" Lucas was growing exasperated. "You always overthink things and don't trust me, which is why we keep having these misunderstandings!"

"I don't trust you? Do you trust me?" Claire shot back, her voice rising. "When Blaire said I pushed her and caused her injury, I told you it wasn't true. And what did you say? You called me cold-hearted! Did you believe me then?"

"I... That's why I asked you to come to the hospital with me so we could sort things out, but instead, you left with Blaine Jackson. Did you ever think that I'm your husband, and yet you chose to leave with another man?"

"Why are you suddenly dragging Blaine into this?" Claire huffed, turning away.

"You're defending him again?" Lucas's frustration boiled over. "Every time I mention Blaine, you get defensive. What is it—do you care about him that much? Do you like him?"

"Like him?!" Claire couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her voice cracked. "Fine! You're right—I care about Blaine! I don't just like him—I love him! I can't live without him! Does that satisfy you?"

"Claire! How can you just admit that?" Roy pulled Claire behind him and faced Lucas. "Lucas, what's wrong with you? I finally convinced Claire to come here and clear up the misunderstanding, and now you're making it worse! Can't you just apologize and make peace? You're acting like a fool!"

"I already told her it was a misunderstanding! But she said she loves Blaine! I'm a man—I have my pride!" Lucas defended himself.

"Well, even I thought you and Blaire looked suspicious just now! Anyone would misunderstand!" Roy retorted.

"Are you blind too? Whose side are you on? Just leave if you're not helping!"

"You think I enjoy standing here being yelled at?" Roy turned to Claire and softened his tone. "Claire, don't let him get away with this. Fight back. Teach him a lesson!"

"Get lost, Roy!" Lucas snapped.

"Who are you telling to get lost?" Lauren Wells's sharp voice cut through the tension as she walked in.

"Lauren!" Roy lit up and moved toward her.

"Claire!" Lauren immediately went to Claire's side and hugged her. "You had me worried sick! Why didn't you answer my calls?"

"I'm sorry, Lauren," Claire whispered.

"I was worried someone might bully you since you're here alone. If anything had happened to you, I'd have thrown a certain someone into the ocean to feed the sharks." Lauren glanced pointedly at Lucas.

"Lauren, go hug your husband instead!" Lucas scowled.

"Jealous? Too bad—I'm hugging Claire!" Lauren smirked.

Before Lucas could argue, Lauren's gaze shifted to Blaire. Her eyes widened in horror as she saw Blaire reaching for the knife in the fruit basket.

"Oh my God—what are you doing?!" Lauren screamed.

Lucas turned just in time to see Blaire grab the knife and press it against her throat.

"Stay back!" Blaire shouted, her red-rimmed eyes filled with desperation. "If you come any closer, I'll do it—I swear!"

"Blaire, stop! Do you know what you're doing?!" Lucas yelled, panic surging through him.

"I'm crazy! I've been crazy ever since you called me your 'baby' the day I came to live with you! I love you, Lucas! Claire doesn't! She only wants your money or is infatuated with you. She doesn't truly love you! She doesn't deserve you!"

"What are you talking about?" Lucas roared. "You just admitted you knew you were wrong—now you're saying this?!"

"I meant I was wrong for hurting you! But not for hating Claire! She doesn't deserve you! I've hated her ever since I found out about her!"

The raw hatred in Blaire's voice stunned everyone in the room.

"Blaire, how could you be so foolish?" Lauren shook her head. "Lucas has always treated you like a sister. How can you ruin that by saying you love him romantically?"

The room fell into a tense silence, broken only by the sound of Blaire's shaky breaths.