Chapter 225: Keeping Secrets from Her

*Blaine Style Studio**

"Turns out he lied to me," Claire Grace muttered softly, her voice tinged with resignation rather than complaint.

"He didn't lie," Blaine Jackson interjected from his spot by the large floor-to-ceiling windows in the lounge area. "I really was swamped after coming back from France recently."

"But what I saw and what he told me don't match up at all," Claire retorted, a hint of exasperation creeping into her voice. "He said you needed help and couldn't find an assistant. And what did I see? You were bored out of your mind, and the studio was practically empty!"

Blaine chuckled wryly, "And you dare talk about it. If Lucas Zeller hadn't run himself ragged to find me, who knows how long it would've been before we got to meet again?"

Claire blinked, surprised. "Why do you say that? Aren't you planning to stay here instead of going back to France to follow your mom's plans? As long as you're here, we can meet anytime."

Blaine turned toward her, his striking eyes reflecting a flicker of helplessness. "It's not about going back to France. My mom's given me an ultimatum: either follow her plans for an arranged marriage or take up the role of design director at the new branch of our French headquarters in Japan. Guess which one I chose?"

Claire frowned, sensing the weight of his words. "So, you chose Japan?"

Blaine shrugged, his tone resigned. "What else could I do? Marry someone I've never met and settle down? That's not happening."

Claire sighed, pouting slightly. "Your family situation is so complicated—always changing. If you leave, I'll feel so lonely here."

"Don't even start with me," Blaine teased, his eyes narrowing playfully. "You've got Lucas to spoil you; you won't be lonely. Besides, I'm not shutting down this studio. I'm handing it over to Joel and the others. You can still come by to hang out and have fun with them."

"But it's not the same without you," Claire said, her voice softening, her reluctance evident.

"That comment would make Lucas insanely jealous," Blaine teased again, though his gaze mirrored her reluctance to part.

Claire hesitated before voicing her deepest fears. "I know Lucas and I came back together, but I'm so scared to face his parents. And if I still can't conceive after three, five, or even seven or eight years, people will ridicule him."

Blaine's expression turned serious, his frustration evident. "Claire Grace, what kind of outdated place did you grow up in? Why are you still hung up on these archaic ideas? Lucas loves you. If he doesn't care, why should you?"

"But—" Claire started, only to be cut off by the sharp trill of her phone ringing.

"See? It's probably your husband calling," Blaine quipped, heading toward the lounge. 

Claire glanced at the screen, and a smile tugged at her lips as she answered the call.

"Are you at Blaine's studio? Are you busy? Have you eaten yet?" Lucas's voice came through, firing off questions in rapid succession.

"Which one do you want me to answer first?" Claire teased, her voice warm and light. "Yes, I've eaten, and no, Blaine's not busy."

"Then wait there—I'll come pick you up."

"What? You'll pick me up?" Claire was startled. "Didn't you say you'd be busy this afternoon? How do you have the time?"

"All my work's done, so I have time now," Lucas replied smoothly.

"But I'll feel bad making you run around so much. I can just take a cab or have Blaine drop me off."

"Wow, you're worried about me now?" Lucas said, his tone teasing. "You've always been so indifferent. I thought you didn't love me anymore."

"You're my husband. Isn't it normal to care about you?" she huffed, her tone playful.

Lucas laughed, imagining her pouting expression. "Alright, wait for me. I'll be there soon."

---

Seated in the car with Lucas, Claire couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She glanced at him, noting the barely concealed excitement in his expression. "Lucas, you seem to be in a great mood today."

"Do you know why I'm so happy?" he countered, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.

Claire shook her head. "Did your company's new fragrance sell out or something?"

"It's because of you," Lucas said simply.

Her curiosity was piqued. "I didn't do anything to make you happy, did I?" she asked, glancing out the window absentmindedly. Then it hit her. "Wait—Lucas, you said we were going home. Why are we heading toward Heartwood Street?"

"This is home too," Lucas replied casually. "So I wasn't lying."

Claire's heart sank. "Are you hiding something from me?" she asked, her brow furrowing. "If you don't tell me now, I'm getting out of this car."

Sensing her unease, Lucas's tone softened. "Why are you running away? You'll have to face them eventually. Don't worry—I'm here. Leave everything to me. All you need to do is let me love and care for you. Don't overthink it."

"You mean... they're back?" she asked, holding her breath.

"Yes, they came back this afternoon. After resting for a bit, they couldn't wait to call and ask me to bring you home."

"What? You should've told me in advance! I wasn't ready for this," she protested, panic creeping into her voice. "I'm getting out of the car."

"Well, we're already here," Lucas said calmly.

Claire looked out the window and realized they'd arrived at the villa's entrance. The wrought-iron gates swung open slowly, and she felt her heart pounding in her chest.