Chapter 215: A Solution

Half a month later.

"Claire, we should be wrapping up the shoot this afternoon. Once we finalize a few things tomorrow, you won't need to come back. You've been looking pale lately; it's time you took a break and rested at home," the director said warmly during a break.

"Alright. Thank you for your concern," Claire Grace replied with a polite smile.

"Claire, can you come here for a moment?" Blaine Jackson called out to her from the break room.

"Director, I'll head over now," Claire said before walking toward Blaine.

"Go ahead and take a break," the director said as he left.

Claire sank into a plush chair, resting her forehead in her hand, looking utterly exhausted.

Blaine could tell what was weighing on her mind. In fact, it was the very thing he wanted to discuss.

"Claire, are you planning to keep this from him forever? Right now, you can pass it off because you've lost weight, but what about later? Pregnancy isn't something you can hide forever—your belly will grow, and with your situation…"

Claire interrupted him, seemingly changing the subject. "Finishing the brand campaign shoot early—nearly two weeks ahead of schedule—is such a relief for me. Honestly, I didn't think I'd last until the end, but everything went shockingly smoothly. I'm so happy I could help him."

"What are you talking about? Why does finishing the shoot early matter so much to you?" Blaine's tone grew puzzled. "Claire, are you saying you're planning to leave?"

"Blaine, sometimes I wish you were less perceptive." Claire sighed in exasperation. She hadn't expected him to guess her intentions so easily.

"What do you mean? Are you really planning to leave him?" Blaine's voice rose in disbelief. "Do you have any idea how that man might lose his mind?"

"It's not as dramatic as you're making it sound," Claire shot him an annoyed glance. Then, her tone softened. "I've thought about leaving him ever since that incident. But every time I see him, I just can't go through with it. Even thinking about leaving him makes my heart ache. Blaine... I wish I could be his queen, the one he cherishes and protects. He once told me I'm his most precious treasure... How could anyone walk away from that?"

"Then don't leave! Stop overcomplicating things!" Blaine said, his frustration mounting. "I don't understand your thinking. If you know he loves you and doesn't want to lose you, then just tell him the truth. Loving someone isn't just about having children."

And there it was.

"He's different, Blaine. Lucas is the only son of the Zeller family. How can I selfishly hold onto him when I can't give him an heir?"

"So what if he's an only son? Plenty of families don't have sons or daughters, and the world goes on. Come on, Claire, this isn't the 19th century! Why are you still thinking this way? Honestly, you haven't changed a bit."

"I've always been a small-town girl, Blaine. What's so wrong with holding onto traditional values?" Claire's voice faltered as she thought of her late father. If he were alive, he wouldn't want to see her being selfish and bringing shame to the Zeller family.

"Oh, for crying out loud!" Blaine ran a hand through his dark hair in exasperation. Abruptly, he stood up. "If you don't have the courage to tell him and you don't want to leave, are you expecting him to find a surrogate?"

"A surrogate?" Claire was startled by the suggestion. Shaking her head vigorously, she said, "If it comes to that, I'd rather divorce him."

"Do you think Lucas would ever agree to a divorce? Or even consider a surrogate? I doubt it," Blaine muttered, clearly frustrated. "Honestly, this whole thing is driving me crazy."

"Don't worry about me, Blaine. I'll handle it," Claire said softly, guilt lining her voice.

"How can I not worry? You can't ask Lauren for help—she's a doctor but far too hot-headed. And Sarah? Forget it—she's a gossip queen on the radio. The whole company would know in a heartbeat. That leaves me as your only confidant, and you're too stubborn to let me help."

"I've already come up with a solution," Claire said suddenly. Her eyes glimmered with a new resolve, as if she had finally made up her mind.

"Let's hear it," Blaine said skeptically, crossing his arms as he leaned back.

"You'll find out soon enough. I can't tell you just yet," Claire replied, turning away to avoid his piercing gaze, afraid he might see through her wavering confidence.

"Claire, I've got a solution for you," Blaine said after a pause.

"Huh?" She turned back to look at him, confused.

"I'll go talk to Lucas and tell him the truth. It's the most straightforward and effective way to resolve this. No more lies. Love can't survive on deceit, don't you agree? The longer you hide it, the more it will hurt him—even if he can accept the truth, he'll resent you for keeping it from him for so long."

"You'd tell him?" Claire's expression darkened. "What's the difference between you telling him and me doing it? Do you think I don't have the courage?"

"Then what are you afraid of? Besides losing him, what's holding you back? You're still that same snail who retreats into her shell at the first sign of trouble," Blaine said, his frustration spilling over. "If running away solved problems, this world wouldn't have conflicts."

"Blaine, I know you mean well, but I want to handle my own issues. Don't worry, I won't let myself be miserable."

"So you'll make Lucas miserable instead?" Blaine retorted, stepping closer and meeting her gaze with an intensity that made her uncomfortable. "Claire, you know how much it hurts to be betrayed. Don't do that to the person you love."

"Alright, alright! You're such a nag!" Claire said, feigning a light-hearted tone. Standing up, she forced a smile. "Come on, help me touch up my makeup. Once we're done, dinner's on me."

Blaine could see the strain in her smile but felt powerless to help. After all, it wasn't his place to make decisions for her.