Chapter 10
744words
Gregory was slumped outside my door, completely wasted. Hearing me approach, he struggled to his feet, staggered forward, and grabbed me, his weight nearly toppling us both.
"Baby... miss you so much... please forgive me..." He buried his hot face against my neck, mumbling incoherently, smearing tears and snot everywhere.
Nausea rose in my throat—alcohol mixed with stale perfume. I shoved against him. "Are you insane? Go find Sophia!"
"She's not good... you're the best... you understand me..." He was deaf to my protests, his hands pawing at my back. He grabbed my face and puckered his lips, trying to force a kiss.
The stench of alcohol choked me. I twisted my head away, revulsion crawling up my spine.
Just then, the elevator dinged open beside us.
Lucas rushed out. Seeing the scene, his eyes flashed with fury. He yanked Gregory off me and shoved him back. "Harass her again and I'm calling the police!"
It was the first time I'd seen Lucas truly angry.
Gregory stumbled backward. When he recognized Lucas, his face and neck flushed dark with rage.
"Damn it! You again?!" He jabbed a finger at Lucas, then turned to me. "It's because of him, isn't it?! This pathetic flower boy?!"
"Watch your mouth!" I snapped. "You're the one who cheated, and now you're blaming others?"
But Gregory was beyond reason. Like a wild animal, he lunged at me, gripping my shoulders and shaking me violently. "Why?! What makes him better than me?! Tell me!"
His nails dug into my skin. The violent shaking made my head spin.
"Let her go!" Lucas shoved Gregory hard. Drunk and unsteady, Gregory lost his balance. With a sickening thud, the back of his head hit the wall. He slumped to the floor, motionless.
The world froze. I stared at Gregory's still form, too shocked to move.
Lucas snapped out of his shock and crouched to check Gregory's breathing. "He's unconscious," he said, regaining composure. "We need to get him to a hospital."
We called an ambulance and rushed Gregory to the ER.
Out of some ridiculous sense of decency, I called Sophia.
Sophia arrived in record time, her heels clicking furiously. Before she even reached the ER, her shrill voice echoed down the hall: "You murderer! How dare you hurt my fiancé! I'm calling the police! You'll rot in prison!"
She burst into the room, ignoring the medical staff's protests, jabbing her finger in my face while screaming abuse loud enough for the entire floor to hear.
The doorway quickly filled with spectators, pointing and whispering, forming a human barrier.
The head nurse rushed in with several staff members, trying to control Sophia while dispersing the growing crowd.
In the chaos, I grabbed Lucas's wrist and pulled him toward the fire exit.
"Listen," I whispered, fighting to stay calm, "when the police come, tell them I pushed Gregory."
"But..." Lucas's brow furrowed.
"No buts!" I cut him off. "Gregory won't dare press charges."
"What about Sophia?" Lucas searched my eyes. "Will she let it go?"
I fell silent.
Sophia was like a rabid dog—given the chance, she'd tear me apart.
Seeing my silence, Lucas sighed softly. He reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his warm fingertips sending a shiver across my cold skin.
The intimate gesture struck something in my heart—a bittersweet ache spreading through my chest.
I'd sensed it for a while—in his hesitant glances, his silent companionship, his careful attentions. I'd pushed him away, yet here he was again, right when I needed him.
I couldn't use him anymore. I couldn't drag him into my mess.
"This isn't your problem," I stepped back, my voice deliberately cold. "Thanks for your help, but we're done here. You should go."
The understanding between adults lies in reading what remains unsaid.
I refused his help—and any possibility of something deeper between us.
I should never have dragged him into this from the start.
Lucas's eyes dimmed.
He didn't push. He just nodded. "Alright. Take care of yourself." He paused. "If you ever want hot chocolate again... it's always available."
With one last lingering look, he turned and walked toward the elevators.
I watched the elevator doors close, cutting off his worried, disappointed figure. The sharp smell of disinfectant filled the hall, Sophia's shrill voice carried faintly from the distance, and I stood alone, feeling hollow.
