CHAPTER 32: His Forthrightness

  My heart felt like it had been pierced by something sharp, and the pain spread through my chest like wildfire.  

  I wanted to escape, terrified of hearing Lucas's answer. But my feet seemed rooted to the ground, unable to move even an inch.  

  "Kate, why aren't you going in?"  

  Scott's voice suddenly sounded behind me, startling me out of my daze.  

  The door opened shortly after, and Zachary appeared, leaning casually in the doorway as he looked at me.  

  "There's still food in the kitchen if you're hungry," I said, forcing myself to appear calm.  

  Zachary glanced at me and then shrugged. "A little hungry, yeah. Scott, let's go grab something."  

  Hooking an arm around Scott's neck, Zachary led him downstairs without looking back.  

  When I entered the room, Lucas had already taken off his shirt. My gaze darted over his toned, bare upper body, but I quickly averted my eyes, not daring to look again.  

  "I made some beef porridge. Not sure if you'll like it."