Chapter 7

Lucas scrolled through the hot searches, but there wasn't a single mention of James's other half.

What the hell, James is such a bastard, 'Lucas thought.

James always played his cards close to his chest in business, and now he was keeping his marriage under wraps too. The wedding had taken place, yet not a word about the bride's identity had leaked.

Maybe there's something off about James's bride, like she's someone he can't even let people see?' Lucas wondered.

It was possible. After all, James was a dark horse who suddenly shot to the top.

Some people said he'd done all sorts of unscrupulous things to get where he was, so it wouldn't be surprising if he got there through nepotism.

He didn't even dare to reveal his bride's name. James's bride must be someone he had to keep hidden from the world.

Either she was totally unpresentable, or there was some other shady reason,' Lucas thought.

Imagining James's bride as some hideous freak made Lucas feel way better about himself.

He tried calling Sophie, but couldn't get through at all.

Lucas then called her parents, but same thing happened. No one answered.

He'd stood Sophie up at such a crucial moment and totally embarrassed the Hart Family. No wonder they were furious.

Lucas knew Sophie was head over heels for him. If he could win her back, her parents, having only one daughter, would have to accept him as well.

So he texted Sophie, but it was like tossing a message into the void,no reply whatsoever.

Lucas started to panic. This was the first time Sophie had ever ignored his calls and left his messages on read.

He'd put Sophie aside for Charlotte before, and even though Sophie would get upset and give him the cold shoulder, she'd always end up forgiving him once he talked his way out of it.

He hoped this time would be no different.

He didn't really want to leave Sophie hanging, but Charlotte was in a critical situation right now.

She was coughing up blood and had been diagnosed with cancer. It was a matter of life and death, and he couldn't afford to waste a second.

After all, Charlotte was his sister-in-law, and she'd once taken a knife for him, almost losing her life in the process.

He owed Charlotte big time, and he had to find a way to save her.

Lucas tried to ify his actions, telling himself he hadn't done anything wrong.

But he could understand how Sophie felt. To make it up to her, he typed out a long explanation and sent it to her, only to see the message fail to send.

A red exclamation mark stared back at him from the screen.

Sophie had blocked him.

How could Sophie block me like that?' Lucas thought, his anger flaring.

She's acting way too childish. This is ridiculous!' he fumed.

Lucas was so pissed off he couldn't even sit still.

For some reason, getting blocked by Sophie gave Lucas a sense of dread.

A sudden panic he'd never felt before hit him, like he was about to lose Sophie for good.

No way, I'm not losing Sophie,' Lucas reassured himself.

He loved Sophie, and she loved him too.

They would never break up. Never.

*****

After all the wildness from last night, I ended up sleeping in the next morning.

It had been ages since I'd slept so soundly. I was out cold, totally knocked out.

I didn't even open my eyes until my stomach was growling with hunger.

I padded barefoot to the bathroom, washed up, and changed into my pajamas before opening the door.

James came out of the study, giving me a gentle smile.

"You're up? Bet you're starving. I made you something delicious," he said.

The dining table was piled high with mouthwatering dishes, and I was so hungry I shamelessly devoured everything in sight.

James sat right next to me, watching with that pampering look in his eyes, peeling shrimp for me, picking out fish bones, and even wiping my mouth every now and then.

After I'd stuffed myself silly and finally stopped eating, James looked at me with that gentle gaze.

"Your parents called. I told them not to worry. I was planning to take you back to visit them tonight, but they said it's better to wait three days before you go," he said.

"Oh, and they asked you to give them a call," he added.

I video-called my parents. Their worried faces appeared together. Mom said, "Honey, you haven't answered calls or messages for so long. Do you know how worried we were?"

"I'm fine, really. Don't worry about me," I replied. But as I spoke, my mom's eyes went wide. "Wait, are you two together?"

"Isn't it obvious?" I replied.

My dad, grinning like a sly fox, snatched the phone from my mom. "Your mom and I wanted to make sure you were okay. Looks like you're doing great! Remember to come home in three days. We'll have a big feast waiting for you."

After I hung up with my parents, my phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number. I picked up, and a familiar voice came through the line. "Sophie, you finally answered my call."