Chapter 175: A Fractured Reunion

Claire Grace's heart raced as the man approached her. Her throat felt tight, and she instinctively clutched her purse, fumbling for the sunglasses inside. With trembling hands, she slipped them on. Just as he was about to pass her, she abruptly turned away, presenting her back to him. She held her breath, feeling the brush of his presence as he walked by, his footsteps fading into the distance. Only then did she dare to lift her head, her eyes scanning for that familiar silhouette. But—

"Claire, are you looking for someone?" Sarah asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"Uh, no… no, not at all." Claire exhaled deeply, trying to mask her unease.

"But just now, it looked like—"

"I said it's nothing. Let's head back," Claire interrupted, looping her arm through Sarah's in an attempt to redirect her attention.

Sarah wasn't convinced but let it slide. "Actually, I need to tell you something. That call earlier was from my mom. She's mad at me for not keeping my promise to spend four hours with her today. I didn't even make it through one."

"Then go home. I'll head back to the apartment alone."

"Are you sure? Won't you need me to walk you back?" Sarah asked, half-teasing.

Claire rolled her eyes. "What do you take me for, a kindergartener? Go on, don't keep her waiting."

"Well, I might not come back to the apartment tonight. I have work early tomorrow morning and won't have time until the afternoon."

"That's fine."

"Okay, then. You still have the spare key, right?"

"Yes, now go already!" Claire nudged her friend toward the exit, but just as Sarah waved goodbye and started to leave, Claire called out, "Hey, you're going the wrong way! The main door is over there."

"I'm taking the back door; it's easier to catch a cab that way. See you!" Sarah disappeared from view, leaving Claire alone.

As Claire walked away, she replayed the earlier scene in her mind. Her heartbeat, which had barely settled, began to pound again. Lost in thought, she was startled by a sudden noise—a thud, like something heavy hitting the ground. She turned to see a figure collapsed next to a sleek black SUV.

She froze for a moment, looking around for help, but to her dismay, the bustling restaurant entrance from earlier was now eerily empty. Claire realized she was the only one close enough to assist. She hesitated briefly before steeling herself and taking a few strides toward the fallen man.

"Sir?" she said tentatively, tapping his shoulder.

When there was no response, she crouched beside him, sliding her hands under his arms to try lifting him. His body was heavier than she expected, and he slumped against her with alarming force. Claire's breath hitched—not from his weight, but from the sudden flood of memories his embrace triggered. This sensation… it was achingly familiar, like Lucas Zeller's. But how could that be? What were the chances of him being here, in this city, and fainting at her feet?

Her thoughts raced as fragments of their past flashed through her mind. Forcing herself to focus, she gently tilted his face upward—and her heart stopped.

It was Lucas.

This had to be some cruel joke. Or was the world truly so small? The man she had dreamt of, the face that haunted her nights, was now before her, unconscious and vulnerable.

Claire swallowed hard, her emotions a tumultuous mix of heartache and longing. She had imagined countless scenarios of how they might reunite, but never like this.

His skin was hot to the touch—unnaturally so. Fever. Without wasting another moment, Claire opened the door to the SUV and carefully maneuvered him into the passenger seat. Sliding into the driver's side, she turned the key in the ignition, but the sound of his labored breathing made her pause.

"Lucas, wake up!" she said urgently, leaning closer and lightly slapping his face. "Come on, you stubborn idiot! You're burning up, and you didn't even notice? What kind of reckless fool ignores a fever until they collapse?"

She twisted open a bottle of water from the car's cupholder, propping him up gently to let him sip. As she eased him back into the seat, Lucas stirred. His brow furrowed, and his eyelids fluttered open, revealing those dark, piercing eyes she knew so well.

"Miss," he murmured weakly, his voice rough. "I don't need… an escort service. Please… leave my car."

Claire blinked, stunned into silence. Escort service? He didn't recognize her? And worse, he thought she was some random call girl?

Her initial shock gave way to anger. "Excuse me?" she snapped, lowering her voice to a deliberate monotone. "Let me make this clear: I'm not some 'escort.' I found you passed out by your car and decided to help. You're welcome, by the way."

Lucas groaned, massaging his temples. "Sorry… I was fine earlier. I don't know what happened."

"You have a fever, genius," she said, her frustration evident. "You're lucky you didn't crash into the pavement. I'm taking you to the hospital."

"No hospitals," he said firmly, sitting up slightly. "Just take me home. I'll deal with it there."

"You can barely sit upright! You think you can handle this on your own?" Claire's exasperation was mounting, but Lucas's stubbornness was as unyielding as ever.

"Fine," she relented. "Then at least give me your address."

Lucas hesitated, then rattled off an address that made Claire pause. She couldn't help but mutter, "That's not on Lilac Street. Did you move?"

His eyes narrowed. "How do you know about Lilac Street?"

Realizing her slip, she quickly backpedaled. "Uh… the car. You drive an expensive one, so I just guessed you lived in that area." She winced internally. Why was it so hard to keep her composure around him? He always had a way of unbalancing her.

Lucas seemed to accept her explanation, but his curiosity lingered. "What's your name?" he asked suddenly.

"Does it matter? This is a one-time favor. After tonight, we go back to being strangers," she replied curtly.

"Well, thank you… Miss Stranger," he said, leaning back as exhaustion overtook him again.

Claire's hands tightened on the wheel. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, wondering if he really didn't recognize her—or if this was just another layer to his infuriating games.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at his building. To her surprise, it was the same apartment complex where Sarah lived. As she parked, Claire let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. One thing was certain: this night had taken a turn she never could have anticipated.