Chapter 212: Concealing the Truth

**Divorce?** 

Was divorce the only way to prevent the Zeller family line from coming to an end? 

The thought hit Claire Grace like a lightning bolt, sending a piercing pain straight to her heart. It was so overwhelming she could hardly breathe. 

She didn't want a divorce. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with Lucas. Why did fate always have to play such cruel tricks? Just when happiness seemed within her grasp, life threw yet another absurd complication her way. Was there no reprieve? 

"Don't overthink it," Blaine Jackson said gently, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. He was about to usher her into the car when a sudden ringtone emerged from her purse, breaking the tense silence. 

"Claire, your phone. Do you want to answer it?" 

Claire remained frozen, her thoughts a chaotic mess. Blaine, seeing her reluctance, reached into her bag and pulled out the phone. A quick glance at the caller ID made him pause before handing it to her. "It's him. You should take it." 

"What?" Claire's eyes widened in shock. She shook her head, hesitating. "I… I don't think I can—" 

"I already answered it." Without giving her an escape, Blaine pressed the green button. 

Claire shot him a tearful glare, panic bubbling up inside her. She inhaled deeply several times before shakily saying, "Hello?" 

"Claire, why aren't you home yet? It's late." Lucas Zeller's voice carried its usual tenderness, but the underlying tension was unmistakable if one listened closely. 

"I… I'm on my way," she stammered, trying to steady her voice. 

"Where are you? Do you need me to pick you up?" 

"No, no need. I'm… I'm at…" Claire's frightened eyes darted toward Blaine, silently pleading for help. To her dismay, he simply shrugged, a wry smile playing on his lips, clearly not intending to rescue her. 

"Claire, where are you exactly? Why do you sound so hesitant?" Lucas pressed. 

"I'm… at the mall," she blurted out, seizing on the first excuse that came to mind. "Yeah, I'm shopping at the mall." She prayed the lie would suffice. "Lucas, I'll be home soon. I have to go now—" 

"What did you just call me?" Lucas interrupted, his voice tinged with suspicion. 

"Huh? Oh, I mean… honey. I'll be home soon." The nerves were getting to her. Why was she making so many mistakes tonight? 

"You're at the mall? Who are you with?" 

"I'm…" 

"Alone?" Lucas cut her off again. 

"No, I'm with Sarah," Claire hastily improvised. She made a mental note to call Sarah immediately after hanging up to get their stories straight. 

"Claire, since when is Blaine Jackson and Sarah the same person?" Lucas's voice suddenly sounded much closer, laced with lazy humor but also clear irritation. 

Blaine noticed the tall figure approaching them and sighed, his expression a mix of resignation and relief. 

"Your husband's here," Blaine murmured, lowering his voice. 

Claire's heart skipped a beat as she turned to see Lucas standing just a few feet away. His piercing dark eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, locking onto her like a hawk. 

"Honey?" she stammered, her mind racing. How was his voice so close? Had Blaine not been bluffing? "What are you doing here? Weren't you at a business dinner?" 

"Claire, shouldn't I be the one asking that question?" Lucas's gaze swept the surroundings before settling on her again. "This… is the mall you mentioned? And since when can Blaine Jackson transform into Sarah?" 

Lucas's voice carried a touch of bitterness, but he masked it with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. He had trusted her, convincing himself that her tears in another man's arms were purely the result of a bad day. He wanted to believe she'd confide in him if he gave her the chance. Yet now, that trust was eroding with each passing second. 

"Lucas, don't compare me to Sarah," Blaine interjected with a casual smirk, though his tone hinted at unease. "That woman's nothing like me." 

Lucas shot him a sharp glance, but it was the sight of their hands still clasped together that sent a surge of jealousy through him. 

"Blaine, this is between my wife and me. You can leave now," Lucas said, his tone curt and unyielding. 

"Fine. I'll be on my way." Blaine raised the folder in his hand, only for Claire to swiftly snatch it from him, slipping it into her bag with a meaningful look that pleaded for his silence. 

Blaine arched a brow in understanding and walked away without another word. 

Lucas watched the exchange, his chest tightening. When he turned back to Claire, his face was etched with a mix of anger and hurt. 

"Why did you lie to me? Don't you think I deserve an explanation?" 

"I…" Claire fidgeted with her hands, unable to meet his gaze. 

Lucas stepped closer, his hands gripping her shoulders firmly as he tilted her face upward. "What are you hiding from me? Is it about him—" 

"No! It's not like that!" Claire interrupted, her voice trembling. "Please, don't misunderstand. Nothing happened between Blaine and me." 

Her desperate defense only deepened Lucas's doubts. 

"You're protecting him?" Lucas's voice dropped, his frustration barely contained. "Fine. Then give me a reason for lying to me." 

"I can't… not right now," Claire whispered, her voice breaking. Her thoughts were a storm of confusion and fear. How could she explain the impossible? "Just give me some time. I swear, it's not what you think." 

"Convenient," Lucas muttered bitterly. 

Before either could say more, a sharp, mocking voice interrupted. "Caught red-handed and still pretending innocence? How pathetic." 

Both Claire and Lucas turned toward the source, startled.