Chapter 2

Yet, Josephine's hand hit the wall behind me.

I opened my eyes, meeting a gaze full of sorrow, agony, and despair. She grabbed her coat and rushed out the door.

Staring at the smear of blood left on the wall, I felt an inexplicable knot in my chest.

Even at her absolute angriest, Josephine couldn't bring herself to cuss me out, so how could she ever actually strike me?

We clearly loved each other deeply, so how did we end up like this?

It seemed to come down to nothing more than basic, primal desire.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

Looking at the screen, I curled my lips into a mocking smirk and took a screenshot.

Just as I decided to brew a cup of coffee, Lydia Bennett called.

Her voice sounded soft and affectionate. "Luke, I miss you. Can I buy you dinner tonight?"

"Sure."

I tamped down the storm of emotions in me, ended the call, changed my clothes, and headed out.

Lydia booked a table at my favorite steakhouse on the west side of town.

Inside the private room, candlelight flickered gently over her deep blue dress. The cut exposed her bare back, and she offered me a tender smile.

"You're actually willing to come out and spend time with me on her birthday. Does that mean I'm more important to you than she is?"

I smiled, tossing the question right back at her. "What do you think?"

Lydia didn't press further. She poured me a drink and fixed my plate, incredibly excited and paying attention to every little detail.

"I heard about the baby. Did Ms. Fairfax give birth to it?"

Before I could respond, she smiled. "It doesn't matter. I don't care who gave birth to it. I'll raise the kid as my own. Once you and Josephine get a divorce, I'll marry you."

The words had barely left her mouth when Victoria Fairfax pushed the door open, her face stone-cold.

"The rule was Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for me, and Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays for you. No one bothers Luke on Sundays. You're breaking the rules."

Lydia flashed a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I can't help it if Luke likes me better."

"Don't flatter yourself."

Victoria sat down without waiting for an invitation. Her gaze only softened when it finally drifted over to me. "Even if he gets a divorce, he's marrying me."

Lydia's smile didn't waver. "Are you getting more stubborn with age?"

God, this was annoying.

My expression turned listless. "If you're going to keep this up, both of you can get the hell out."

They both looked away at the same time.

Lydia grabbed my hand, pulling me toward her. "Luke, sit over here. There's more room."

Victoria immediately seized my other hand. "He always sits by the window. Stop bossing him around."

Lydia kept right on smiling. "You certainly have a sharp memory, but I was the one who drove him home last week at 2:00 am!"

"That was only because I was out of town on business," Victoria snapped, her eyes narrowing. "Unlike a certain somebody who has nothing but free time to throw themselves at another woman's husband."

Watching them argue again, I felt completely helpless.

Before I could even pull my hands free, the door to the private room swung open a second time.

Josephine stood in the doorway, flanked by her childhood friend, Nicholas Harrington.

Her face turned livid as she stared down at my hands, which were held tightly by Victoria and Lydia.

Nicholas looked on with disdain. "Lucius, have you no shame? Josephine completely burned bridges with the entire Yates family for you, but look at what you've been up to.

"You fathered a bastard child, and now you're flirting around with multiple women. Do you even deserve to be a part of the Yates family?"

Lydia and Victoria stood up simultaneously, shielding me from view.

Victoria's gaze turned ice-cold, while Lydia flashed a fake smile.

"If you don't drop the attitude, I don't mind beating some manners into you," said the latter.

"Why, you—"

Nicholas' face flushed bright red with fury. "Josephine, look at him. He's fooling around with these women right in front of your face. You should've dumped this cheating piece of trash a long time ago—"

"That's enough!" Josephine cut him off.

Her voice wasn't loud, but it sounded cold as ice. "Say one more word about him, I'll run your father's company out of Jorvia by tomorrow morning."

Nicholas froze. "Josephine, I'm just looking out for you—"

"Who do you think you are? Listen up. Lucius Winthrop is the love of my life. Whether he's good or bad is none of your business."

Josephine threw a glass of wine in his face. "Get out!"

Drenched in alcohol and looking utterly pathetic, Nicholas stared at Josephine. " I hate you…"

He turned and ran out the door.

Josephine walked over and took my hand. Lydia and Victoria wanted to step in, but they pulled their hands back the moment they met my gaze.

The drive from the restaurant back to the house passed in total silence.

The air felt thick and heavy, making my heart sink with every breath I took.

The second we arrived, Josephine stood on her tiptoes, kissed me hard, and unbuckled my belt before slipping a hand inside.