Chapter 2

Helen's face was flushed with panic and fear. She held onto me as if her life depended on it, refusing to let go.

"Lucas, I've kept a secret in my heart for three years. I'm afraid if I don't say it now, I'll never get another chance."

"I know you're an amazing man. Since my daughter doesn't want you... I do. Will... will you marry me?"

Helen thought I was leaving the city forever. Terrified of losing me, she couldn't bottle up her feelings anymore. Years of hidden affection finally exploded.

"Helen... what did you just say?"

I was completely dumbfounded. I thought I was hallucinating. Even my voice was shaking.

Helen let go of me, her eyes filled with shyness. She gathered all her courage, looked directly into my eyes, and spoke with every ounce of strength she had:

"Lucas, spending these past few years with you, I realized I fell in love with you. But you were my daughter's boyfriend. I had to suppress it."

"But now... I don't want to miss my chance. I don't want to lose you."

"Lucas, if you don't mind that I'm older than you, we can go to City Hall right now. Chloe doesn't want you, but I do!"

Helen was gorgeous. The first time I met her, I was completely stunned by her beauty.

Even though she was forty, time hadn't left a single mark on her. Her skin was as flawless as a baby's, and she had a stunning, hourglass figure—curvy, tall, and elegant.

She radiated the mature charm of a grown woman. Combined with her gentle and intellectual personality, she was incredibly irresistible.

Hearing her passionate confession, my heart began to beat wildly.

I had no idea Helen had been harboring such deep feelings for me. No wonder she always spoiled me. She had been showing her love in the only way she could.

I was tempted.

But she was still my elder, and more importantly, Chloe's mother. My strong sense of morality made it hard to accept right away.

I could only make an excuse, telling her I needed time to think, and practically fled her house.

My mind was a chaotic mess as I walked back to my apartment.

But when I opened my door, I froze.

A pale, slender man was lying comfortably on the couch, his head resting on Chloe's lap. Chloe was looking down at him with pure adoration.

It was Julian Sterling.

I let out a mocking laugh. Every time I had wanted to rest my head on her lap, Chloe would find some excuse to reject me.

It turned out her lap was reserved only for Julian. There was no room for another man.

When Chloe saw me, her face instantly hardened. "What are you doing back? Julian needs peace and quiet. Get the hell out!"

Since I had already decided to end this relationship, I wasn't going to take her attitude anymore. I said coldly, "This is my apartment. If he needs rest, he can go to his own home."

"Outsiders are not welcome here."

Hearing this, Julian weakly clutched his stomach and struggled to sit up.

"Chloe, it's all my fault. If my apartment wasn't so messy, you wouldn't have brought me here, and your boyfriend wouldn't be mad."

"I think I should just leave."

Julian put on a pathetic act. Chloe immediately panicked and comforted him.

Then, she stood up, walked over, and slapped me across the face. "Lucas! Are you even human? Julian is sick! What's wrong with letting him stay here for a bit?!"

"Why are you so selfish? Can't you just show some compassion?!"

For the sake of her precious childhood friend, she threw away every bit of affection we had. All the good things I had done for her in the past were completely forgotten.

I was utterly disgusted by her.

Julian secretly shot me a smug, provocative look from the couch.

I ignored him, not wanting to waste my breath. I walked toward my bedroom to pack some of my things and leave this toxic place.

But when I opened the bedroom door, the sight inside made my blood boil.

Before I left this morning, the room had been spotless. Now, it looked like a dumpster. Blankets were thrown on the floor, the closet doors were swung open, and trash was scattered everywhere.

But what pushed me over the edge was the photo frame that used to sit on my nightstand. It was lying smashed on the floor.

I was an orphan. The only connection I had to my biological parents was that single photograph. But now, the glass was shattered.

And the photo itself had been ripped out and torn into a thousand pieces.

Clenching my teeth, I stormed out of the room, grabbed Julian by his collar, yanked him off the couch, and roared, "Did you tear up my photo?!"

Julian put on an innocent, terrified face. "What photo? Lucas, what are you talking about?"

But a split second later, he lowered his voice so only I could hear, whispering mockingly, "Yeah, I tore it. What are you gonna do about it? Hit me? If you touch me, you and Chloe are completely done—AHHH!"

I didn't let him finish. My fist slammed into his face, over and over again.

I beat him until his face was black and blue, blood pouring from his nose as he screamed in agony.

"Ahhh!"

"Stop it!"

"Lucas, stop!"

Chloe screamed in horror and lunged at me. "Lucas, are you crazy?! What did Julian ever do to you for you to beat him like this?!"

"You've gone too far!"

I glared at her, my eyes burning with rage. "Too far? Every single disgusting thing he's done was too far! But I let it go!"

"But he crossed the line. He should have never touched my photo!"

That photo was my red line.

Chloe defended him righteously, screaming, "Do you have any proof he did it? Besides, it’s just a stupid, blurry photo! What's the big deal?!"

"That was the only photo of my parents!"

"So what? You're just an abandoned orphan anyway! What's the point of keeping a useless photo? I think it's great that it got ripped!"

"A heartless bastard like you deserved to be abandoned!"

Looking at her hideous, cruel face, I clenched my fists so hard they shook. I wanted to hit her, too, but for Helen's sake, I held back.

I took a deep breath and looked at her with icy eyes.

"Chloe, it seems you've made your choice to protect this piece of trash. I hope you don't regret it."

Chloe's entire focus was on Julian. She was fussing over his bruises, completely ignoring my words. I let out a cold sneer and walked out.

Standing in the hallway, I pulled out my phone and dialed a number.

"Helen, I've made up my mind. If you haven't changed your mind, I'll meet you at City Hall."

Chloe, when you find out I've become your stepfather, I can't wait to see the look on your face!