Chapter 2
My eyes were getting teary. I was about to demand answers from Sophie.
But Lucas sighed, like he was surrendering.
He said, "Viv, I know you're feeling really bad about the breakup.
"Don't be mad, Viv. I promise I'll tell my parents the truth before the engagement, okay?"
I let out a sarcastic laugh, looking at Lucas, who looked so unfazed.
Suddenly, I didn't feel like telling him the truth anymore.
"I'm so sick of that line," I said.
Lucas's expression froze.
Lucas, Sophie, and I grew up together.
When I turned 17, Lucas confessed his feelings to me, and it felt natural for us to start dating.
But the same year, the Lane family discovered that Sophie, the daughter they'd raised for sixteen years, wasn't actually their biological child.
To keep Sophie from being thrown out, Lucas told his parents he was in love with her.
He wanted me to go along with his lie.
He begged me. The proud boy was gone. All I saw in his eyes was nothing but pity.
He said, "Vivian, Sophie has her SATs in a year. If we make her leave now, it'd ruin her life.
"We've grown up together. Can you really abandon her when she needs us most?
"I promise, after the exams, I'll tell my parents the truth. Is that okay?"
My conscience wouldn't let me say no.
But my love for him twisted me up with jealousy.
During those four years of university, Lucas came to see me barely a handful of times.
I finally managed to take a whole day off to visit him at his place.
But right as I reached the lab door, I heard his classmates chatting.
"What's the deal with that new junior girl and Lucas?"
"What do you think? Girlfriend, obviously."
"Did you see how anxious Lucas was during that lab accident last time?"
"She just had a small scratch on her hand, but he was so worried that he took her to the hospital right away."
I was furious and hurt.
On the day of the lab accident, I rushed to his university as soon as I heard the news.
But on the way, I got into a car accident.
Before I was taken into the ER, I kept calling him. But he wouldn't answer.
I was falling apart, begging Lucas to tell me why.
But he rubbed his forehead, totally at a loss.
He said, "Vivian, if I tell my parents the truth now, they won't pay for Sophie's university.
"Just wait a bit longer. Once she graduates, I'll come clean to them, I promise."
It'd been four years since we finished university.
And I was still the girl Lucas kept hidden.
I was exhausted. I was just done.
So when I heard they were getting engaged, I ended things with Lucas.
"Lucas, I want you to remember that this time, I'm the one dumping you," I said.
Coming to my senses, I pushed Lucas away and walked down the mountain without looking back.
*****
Soon enough, the day Morris came to visit rolled around.
I didn't ask Lucas or Sophie to come.
But I never thought they'd have the nerve to show up without an invitation.
Sophie was practically gloating, unable to hide how pleased she was about my situation.
She said, "Your fiancé still isn't here, and it's almost noon already.
"He really doesn't think much of you, does he?"
Lucas's gaze was intense as he leaned in and whispered, "Vivian, you need to come clean to your parents now. Stop lying to them."
I ignored them both and kept my focus on trimming the vegetables.
Sophie, as always, couldn't keep her mouth shut.
She said, "I heard the CEO of Morris Group is some geezer well past fifty. No wonder your parents said he knew how to care for you."
My hand paused as I was about to fire back at her.
But when I turned around, I saw Lucas look pissed. His face dark as thunder.
"Cut the crap and apologize to Viv right now!" he snapped.
Sophie clearly hadn't expected Lucas to stand up for me. Her lips twisted in a pout. And she looked like she was about to cry.
She said, "Lucas, Vivian isn't actually serious this time, is she?
"Don't you remember? Vivian has always had a thing for older men."
Lucas lowered his head. After a long pause, he let out a dry and bitter chuckle.
He said, "Viv, you're not seriously going to betray me again, are you?"