Chapter 21

In Scarlett's Perspective:

After I revealed that I was pregnant, Lucas fell silent.

He didn't say a word, and I could only vaguely hear his intermittent breath on the other end of the phone.

I had never seen Lucas react like this. His prolonged silence made me anxious. 

I pondered, 'Could it be that Lucas dislikes children? Or perhaps he doesn't love me as deeply as I believed.'

I didn't dare to think further, nor did I dare to guess his thoughts.

Lucas was silent for so long that I thought he had hung up the phone.

"Are you still there?" After a long time, Lucas finally spoke in a trembling voice, "Where are you?"

His tone was unusual; I had never seen Lucas so agitated.

"Can I see you now?" I could hear a rustling sound on the other end of the line. "You don't have any other plans tonight, do you?"

"Now?" I could hardly believe it. "It's already late. Are you sure?"

Although I didn't have anything going on, it was already late at night. Was Lucas being a bit too anxious?

"I want to see you right now," he said, and I heard the sound of a door closing on his end, "I've already left."

Sometimes, I really admired Lucas's decisiveness.

Olivia and Emily were already fast asleep, so I quietly put on a coat and waited at the door a few minutes early to avoid waking them.  

As Lucas's car pulled up in front of Olivia's house, I quickly slipped into the car before he could get out.

"Seriously, it's too late now." The car was cold, so I quickly tightened my coat around me. "You haven't recovered yet; you should be resting."

Just as I was complaining about him coming out to see me so late, Lucas suddenly hugged me tightly.

"Scarlett! My honey!" He kissed my face and exclaimed, "I'm so happy!"

I had lived with Lucas for so many years and had never seen him feel so excited. His hands were trembling due to excitement.

"This is unexpected," Lucas tapped his fingers lightly on the steering wheel and said, "We still have time before the baby arrives; we can get married first. And then, we can go on a vacation to the island." 

Lucas was planning all sorts of things for after our marriage, but I only felt bitterness and thought. 'Lucas and I have no future.'

"Where do you want to go for the honeymoon?" Excitement was evident on his face as he exclaimed, "We can purchase the engagement ring tomorrow."

"I won't marry you." I pulled my hand out of Lucas's grasp, turned my head away and said, "We can't be together. They won't approve of our relationship. I can't bear to see you ousted from the Bennett family as well." 

I had always known that the Bennett family didn't welcome me.

But Lucas suddenly pulled me into his arms, looking down into my eyes. In the moonlight, I could see his slightly trembling pupils.

"Don't bother that, Scarlett." His voice was low and magnetic. "As long as you agree, I'll clear all obstacles for you."

"Can you stay with me tonight?" Lucas's eyes followed mine, hesitating for a moment before he spoke slowly.

His cautious behavior made me hardly believe that he was the cold and ruthless Lucas everyone spoke of.

I nodded, and Lucas hugged me again, then drove us back to his house.

We lay in bed, and Lucas gently held me from behind, pressing his forehead against my shoulder.

I lay in Lucas's arms, feeling his cool scent, and I didn't know when I fell asleep.

I hadn't slept so well in a long time, not even dreaming.

When I opened my eyes, Lucas was leaning against the headboard, looking at me affectionately.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" His intense gaze made me a bit flustered, and I quickly turned my head away.

Lucas suddenly pulled me into his arms, placing his hand on my shoulders. "Sorry, I got too excited." His voice no longer trembled like it did last night, but I could feel his excitement. "I couldn't sleep, so I just kept watching you."

'He didn't sleep all night?' I looked at Lucas in surprise and noticed the dark circles under his eyes.

"Do you want to rest a bit?" I gently touched his face, but he grabbed my hand.

"Just knowing that you care about me gives me energy," Lucas said softly, showing extra tenderness since we had recently defined our relationship. "Don't worry about me. I can handle it."

Lucas didn't seem to mind staying up all night. He looked very energetic, holding me and talking a lot.

I knew that when he worked for the family, it was common for him to go several days and nights without sleep. But I couldn't help feeling sorry for him.

I couldn't hear what Lucas was saying clearly, and my vision became blurry. Leaning against his chest, I could faintly hear his heartbeat.

At that moment, I was certain that I had always loved him. There was a special place in my heart reserved just for him.

Lucas was irreplaceable.

"I promise you," I pressed my forehead against his chest, not daring to look at him and said, "We..."

I was afraid that if I saw Lucas's face, I would instinctively push him away.

Lucas must have heard what I said. He suddenly tightened his arms around me, making it hard for me to breathe.

"But I don't understand. Why do you like me?"After receiving Lucas's reply, I raised my head slowly to meet his intense gaze.

"Because you made me finally feel the warmth of a family after I brought you home." Lucas thought seriously for a moment before giving me an answer.

"Being able to hold you like this makes me happy." Lucas squinted his eyes, leaning down to kiss me.

I immediately closed my eyes.

Despite reaching a resolution in our relationship, I couldn't shake off the tension whenever the Bennett family and Gabriel crossed my mind. To be with Lucas meant facing challenges ahead, but going against my will would lead to a lifetime of regret.

As I was thinking, my phone rang.

"Gosh." Lucas wanted to hang up immediately, but I grabbed the phone. "I forgot it."

I snatched the phone, and Olivia's name was displayed on the screen.

I knew it must be her.

I had left home in such a hurry yesterday that I forgot to tell Olivia.

"Olivia." I was about to explain to Olivia when a strange man's voice came through the phone.

"Hello, are you a relative of Olivia?" His question immediately made me alert.

"I'm her friend." I gripped the phone, feeling a surge of tension, and asked, "What happened to Olivia?

"She passed away." The man's tone was emotionless. "If it's convenient, could you come to the hospital now?"