Chapter 161: Seeking Clarity

Blaine Jackson leaned back against the headboard, pretending to be relaxed as his eyes wandered toward the ceiling. Yet, his legs betrayed him, shaking uncontrollably under the sheets.

"Hey, Blaine, are you seriously this scared?" Lauren Wells teased, smirking as she crouched down to inspect his injured leg. "You're a grown man, for heaven's sake! You know they used cosmetic sutures for your stitches, right? They're absorbable. There's no need to remove them, so stop acting like a wimp. I'm just checking the wound to see if you're ready to be discharged." As she spoke, she rolled his already cuffed pant leg even higher to get a better look.

"..." Blaine grimaced inwardly, biting back a retort. Did she have to announce that in front of Claire Grace? Of all people, why her? He already found his fainting at the sight of needles embarrassing enough. Now he was enduring the humiliation with his favorite spectator present.

"Lauren, how does Blaine's wound look?" Claire asked, leaning in with concern. "It still looks pretty red around the edges. Is that a sign of infection?"

Lauren straightened up, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Relax, Claire. The wound is healing well. It's a fresh injury, so a little redness around the edges is completely normal. Nothing to worry about." She glanced at Claire, her tone turning playful. "Congratulations, by the way. You're finally free of this big baby. He'll be ready to check out soon."

"Hey! Who are you calling a big baby?" Blaine shot up, glaring at Lauren. "You better not be talking about me! Don't go tarnishing my image as a tough guy. I—"

Lauren cut him off with a derisive snort. "Tough guy? You?" She shook her head, laughing. "Fine, fine. I won't burst your bubble. But you're on your own now. Pack up and head out. I'm taking Claire with me."

"Wait, where are you taking her?" Blaine blurted out. His question came out so fast, it startled both Lauren and himself.

Lauren raised an eyebrow, her expression turning curious and a bit amused. "And why would that concern you?" she asked, tilting her head as if scrutinizing him.

"Uh, well…" Blaine scrambled for an excuse. "I mean, I've been out of commission for a while, so I need to catch up on work. Just curious, that's all."

"What nonsense," Lauren said, rolling her eyes. "You've been lying in bed for a week without a peep, and now suddenly you're in a rush? You still have three days before your competition, don't you? Chill out. Go your way, and we'll go ours." Without waiting for his reply, she grabbed Claire's hand and strode out of the hospital room, leaving Blaine staring at the empty doorway. A wave of inexplicable melancholy washed over him.

---

Claire let Lauren guide her out of the hospital and into her car. She had no idea where Lauren was taking her.

"Lauren, where are we going?" Claire asked tentatively. "Blaine's competition is coming up, and we don't have much time left to prepare." She bit her lip, worried about Blaine's reaction to their abrupt departure. He had looked genuinely displeased.

"Don't worry about it, Claire," Lauren reassured her, glancing over with a confident smile. "Blaine already said he's prepared. You've got nothing to stress over." She flicked a loose strand of hair out of her face, her calm demeanor contrasting Claire's growing unease.

"But where are we going?" Claire pressed.

Lauren's expression turned serious. "Claire, tell me honestly. Has Lucas Zeller called you at all since you left?"

Claire's heart sank at the mention of his name. She'd been avoiding this topic all week. "Lauren…" she began, her voice faltering. She had hoped—prayed, even—that Lucas would reach out to her. She had thought he might need a day or two to cool off before apologizing for the cruel things he'd said. But as the days turned into a week, her hopes dwindled. Now, with her departure for Blaine's competition imminent, Lucas still hadn't called.

"So he hasn't," Lauren said, reading the disappointment on Claire's face. She shook her head in exasperation. "Honestly, Lucas… Is his brain as dead as his heart? Ever since Blaire's death, he's been impossible. It's like he's turned into stone."

"He's probably still grieving," Claire said softly, trying to defend him. She couldn't bear the thought of anyone speaking ill of Lucas, even if part of her agreed with Lauren.

"Claire, you're too kind for your own good," Lauren sighed, shaking her head. "That's why Lucas takes you for granted. Well, I'm done watching you suffer. We're going to find him, and you're going to ask him point-blank what his intentions are. He needs to decide whether he wants you or not."

"You're taking me back to the Zeller house?" Claire asked, startled. "No, Lauren, I can't. I didn't even say goodbye to his parents when I left. If I show up unannounced, they'll insist I stay, and Lucas will misunderstand. He'll think I'm trying to manipulate him into taking me back."

"We're not going to the house," Lauren said firmly. "Lucas has been back at the office since the day after you left. Roy Lin's been working himself to the bone, and I finally convinced him to drag Lucas back to work. It's his company too, after all. He can't mope around forever."

"So we're going to the office?"

"Nope. I've arranged for him to meet us at a French restaurant downtown. Let's see just how cold-hearted he really is," Lauren said, her voice tinged with determination.

"But he'll misunderstand," Claire protested, anxiety creeping into her voice. "Lucas said he wanted time apart to think, so I've been waiting for him to call. If I show up like this, it'll seem like I'm pressuring him. He hasn't called because he's not ready yet." The memory of their last argument still stung. She didn't want to worsen things between them.

"What's there to misunderstand?" Lauren snapped. "If he can go to work, he's had plenty of time to think. He's just being stubborn. That man… Even when Roy tried to reason with him, Lucas snapped at him. He's insufferable."

Lauren tightened her grip on the steering wheel, her jaw set in determination. "Today, I'm not just helping you get answers, Claire. I'm settling the score for Roy too. Lucas Zeller, brace yourself."