Chapter One Hundred-Seventy

Karina watched with teary, weary eyes as Anita paced impatiently. Lucas stood nearby, his face a mask of frustration.

Juliana returned, her face pale as she informed them that Lilly was ready.

Lucas sneered at Anita. “Where are your men? They should’ve been here by now.”

“They’re coming. They should be—” She was cut off by a knock on the door.

Anita took a step forward, but Lucas stopped her with a raised hand. He went to open the door and returned with two burly men in tow.

“What the heck kept you guys?” Anita snapped.

“Sorry, ma’am. Traffic was a nightmare,” one of the men apologized.

Anita hissed. “Fine. Lucas, they’ll go get Sophie now.”

Lucas nodded, watching them head upstairs before turning his gaze back to Karina, who was sobbing and staring at him with a mix of sorrow and betrayal.

“Lucas, I never thought you could do this to me,” she choked out, her voice trembling with a mix of desperation and heartbreak.

He leaned forward, feigning remorse. “I’m sorry, love. You know I ha