7. Lucas Fernandez

~Alexa

Immediately after Dad said this, Mom got up on her feet, her face contorted with fright. She marched over to Father, her voice rising.

“You can't accept this, My Lord! You can't allow our daughter to live the life of a poor woman after so many years she's been separated from us! She deserves a rich and influential life. A life she has never experienced before. That is what she deserves, not this!”

Dad turned to her, giving her an understanding look.

“I get where you're coming from, Cecile. But this is what Alexa wants. This is our daughter's choice, and we have no right to stop her.”

I nodded, supporting his words.

“You don’t have to worry about where I’ll be, Mom. I’ll be living right here with you. It’s just that no one will know I’m your daughter. No one will know I’m related to either of you.”

It took Mom a few moments to process my words. But eventually, she understood. She stepped forward and gently brushed my hair away from my face.

“You have to be careful, Alexa,” she said, her voice low. “Justin isn’t someone you can be easy around... that man forced you into that medical procedure, the one that ruined your life. Be cautious.”

I smiled softly, my eyes locked on hers.

“Yes, Ma. I will be careful with everything I do. Because I’m not just fighting for myself anymore, I’m also fighting for my lost child… the one who died because of Justin and his cheap mistress.”

Mom pulled me into a tight hug and kissed my forehead.

Throughout the whole scene, the other guy just stood there watching. His cold eyes, calm face, and well-built body kind of caught my attentio but I quickly pushed that thought aside. My instincts were screaming at me to be careful.

“Get some rest for now, my Angel,” Mom said gently. “I’ll go get some clothes for you. Please, sleep well.”

Dad gave me one last smile before they both walked out of the room. Only he remained—the guy.

What was his name again?

Lucas.

He was standing there, right in front of me, staring like I was the key to his lottery card. I didn’t like that look. Right now, I found men to be nothing but trouble. After Justin, I swore I’d never open my heart to another man again. No matter how good-looking Lucas was, he didn’t impress me.

So I ignored him completely and laid back in bed.

I didn’t know if he left, and frankly, I didn’t care. But I was sure someone stayed there for a while, standing still, until I finally drifted off to sleep.

I was deep in my sleep when I suddenly turned and saw someone standing near me.

“Argghhh!” I screamed, bolting upright.

My heart nearly exploded. For a second, I thought I was staring at a ghost. But no, it was Lucas.

He stood exactly the same way he had before I fell asleep. Same clothes. Same posture. Same unreadable expression.

Wait...

Had he been standing there this whole time?

I turned toward the wall clock. The time was 3 A.M.

If I slept off before 10 P.M., then… had Lucas been standing there for almost six hours?

“Here,” a voice broke my thoughts.

I looked up. Lucas was holding out a glass of water.

“It seemed like you just had a bad dream, Alexa. Drink some water.”

I hesitated. He wasn’t smiling. His face was cold but his expression felt gentle and affectionate

Eventually, I took the glass and sipped the water slowly.

“Thank you,” I muttered, setting the glass on the stool beside me.

Still, I didn’t speak much. I wasn’t going to warm up to him. He is handsome just like Justin and men I already categorized men like him jnder the same category— handsome and dangerous. I couldn’t trust a man like that, not anymore.

Just as I lay back on the bed, Lucas gently held my hand.

I froze.

My breath caught in my throat, and I stared at him in disbelief.

“You don’t have to be scared,” he said calmly. “I just wanted to fix your pillow. Please, be careful when lying back.”

“What do you want from me, Lucas?” I asked, my voice sharper now. “You’re just Father’s worker. You should be with him, not here watching over me!”

He said nothing.

I sat up. “So what, you wanted me to go back to sleep so you could stand there again and watch me like a ghost? Tell me, who does that? Who stands for six hours just watching someone? Are you a machine?”

Lucas adjusted the pillow, then stood tall and looked me straight in the eye.

“Six hours is nothing compared to the years I spent searching for you, Alexa. Now that I’ve found you, I won’t let you leave my side again.”

I squinted, confused. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m Lucas Fernandez. CEO of the Fernando Group,” he said, voice calm but intense. “To explain my relationship with the Duke. I’m his godson. And I took it upon myself to find my long-lost best friend… you, Alexa.”

I blinked in disbelief.

“I’m here for good,” he added, his tone heavy. “I’m here to be your greatest support. You may have forgotten me… but I never forgot you. You’re still the Alexa I once knew.”

He took a breath, then raised a finger.

“I don’t need your permission, but I’m making my four promises to you.

First—I will protect you, no matter what happens.

Second—I’ll help you manage your double life, as the CEO of ABC Companies and as plain Alexa Sullivan.

Third—I will help you get your revenge on Justin, his girlfriend, and everyone who ever hurt you.”

I stared at him, my chest rising and falling.

“And the fourth?” I asked quietly. “What’s the fourth obligation?”