Chapter 155: The Escalation of Conflict

Her kiss, a blend of tenderness and passion, painted warmth on Lucas Zeller's cold lips, rippling through the icy lake of his heart. He responded, his tense brows softening, and the stern contours of his face giving way to a rare gentleness. He yearned for her love, for everything about her to pull him from the abyss of despair he had been drowning in. 

Claire Grace, her hands trembling, began to untangle the invisible chains that bound him, silently praying that this time would be different from the previous night, hoping that he wouldn't drift into thoughts of Blaire again. 

Let's go back to the beginning. Back to how things used to be. 

Just as their emotions reached a crescendo, the faint buzz of a vibrating phone shattered the moment, as loud as thunder in the silence. 

Lucas froze, his lips lingering just above her chest. His dark eyes snapped open. 

"It's your phone," he said, his voice low. His own phone had been turned off for days. 

"...Can we ignore it for now?" Claire's face flushed crimson as she drew small circles on his bare chest with her fingers. 

"You should answer it. You rarely get calls. It might be important," Lucas said, sitting up and pulling a light blanket over her shoulders. He quickly reached for his clothes, slipping them on. 

"Oh." Claire reluctantly grabbed her phone from her bag. 

"Hello?" 

"Claire! Where are you? Why are you just now picking up?" Lauren Wells's anxious voice blared through the receiver. Claire blinked in surprise before asking, "Lauren, what happened? You sound worried." 

"It's not me—it's Blaine! I don't know what's gotten into him. He's an experienced driver, but he's been zoning out while driving, running red lights, and, get this, he crashed his car into a guardrail!" 

Claire's heart clenched. "What? Is he okay? Did he get hurt?" 

"There's a long gash on his calf. He needed six stitches. He's in the hospital now. And let me tell you, for such a big guy, he's terrified of pain—and needles! He actually passed out while they were stitching him up. Look, he doesn't have any family in town. I would've stayed to look after him, but today's the anniversary of Roy Lin's mom's passing. I have to head back home with him after work. I figured you'd be the best person to take care of Blaine for the night since you're close." 

"Okay, I'll head over right away," Claire said, quickly ending the call and reaching for her clothes. 

"Where are you going?" Lucas's voice stopped her in her tracks. She had forgotten he was still in the room. 

"Blaine got into a car accident and needed stitches on his leg. Lauren asked me to go look after him for the night since he has no one else," Claire explained. She didn't notice the way Lucas's face darkened. "Apparently, Blaine passed out from the pain while getting the stitches." 

"You're going to spend the night taking care of him?" Lucas's voice was calm, but it carried a chilling undertone. 

"Seems like it," Claire replied nonchalantly. She grabbed her bag and headed for the door but suddenly turned back. Wrapping her arms around Lucas's neck, she kissed both sides of his cheek. "Lucas, your parents made a lot of food. Why don't you go downstairs and eat with them?" 

"You don't need me to drive you?" 

"No need. You should stay and eat. You're so frail lately, like a fallen leaf. You need to regain your strength." She left a final kiss on his lips before taking his hand to lead him downstairs. 

Unexpectedly, Lucas pulled his hand away and sat back on the bed. His expression was blank as he said, "Go ahead. I'm not hungry. I just want to rest." With that, he fell back onto the bed, turning his back to her. 

"Lucas…" Claire hesitated, sensing something was wrong. "Do you want me to stay and eat with you?" 

"I'm not a child. Go to the hospital. Your precious Blaine will need someone when he wakes up," Lucas said, his tone sharp. 

"...Fine. Do you want to at least drive me there?" Claire offered, trying to diffuse the tension. 

"I was just asking earlier. I wouldn't actually drive you there," Lucas muttered coldly. "I hate hospitals. They're constant reminders of Blaire's death—and my failure—" 

"Lucas!" Claire interrupted, her voice rising with emotion. "Can you stop bringing up Blaire? Everyone—me, your parents—we all want you to move on from her death. I need you to try harder to let go, to forget—" 

"I'm not as heartless as you!" Lucas shouted, sitting upright. His dark eyes burned with anger. "I thought you were grieving as much as I was. I kept my pain buried so you wouldn't have to suffer with me. But now I see it clearly. Blaire's death doesn't mean anything to you. In fact, it might've even been convenient for you. Isn't that right?" 

"Lucas, how could you think that?" Claire's eyes widened in disbelief. "You've misunderstood me. Of course, I was devastated by Blaire's death. But what's done is done. No amount of grief will change that. Blaire is gone. She's gone forever. Don't you understand?" 

"She may be gone, but she'll always be in my heart! No one can erase her from there!" Lucas's voice was filled with rage. "Claire Grace, how can you be so selfish? You've completely disappointed me!" 

Claire stood frozen, stunned by his harsh words. Selfish? Heartless? Was this really how he saw her? 

"Am I the one who's disappointed you," she finally whispered, her voice trembling, "or is it because you've realized the person you truly love was Blaire all along?" 

Lucas's eyes narrowed dangerously, and he stared at her without blinking. After a long, tense silence, he spoke, his words slicing through the air like a knife. "What do you think? I'm starting to realize I don't know you at all. I thought you were a gentle, innocent little lamb—maybe one that occasionally bared her tiger's fangs. But now I see you for what you are: calculating, selfish, and manipulative—"