Semua Bab The Unwanted Wife: Bab 71 - Bab 80

By the time Lara got home, the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a soft orange hue over the city skyline. The silence of her condo wrapped around her like a blanket—welcoming, familiar, and exactly what she needed after the emotional weight of her conversation with Riah. She wasn’t sad. Not really. She was just… tired. She dropped her keys in the bowl by the door, slipped off her shoes, and head towards the living room. She barely had time to sit on the couch when her phone rang. Ali. “Hey,” Lara answered, trying to sound normal. [“Okay, I know it’s short notice, but I’m sleeping over tonight,”] Ali announced without preamble. [“It’s Friday, tomorrow’s the weekend, and it’s been way too long since we had a proper girls’ night.”] Lara blinked, the corners of her lips lifting slightly. “You sure? I just got home, and I’m honestly not the best company right now.” [“All the more reason I’m coming over,”] Ali said. [“You need this. Trust me.”] Lara paused. She di

Lara stared at him like he had grown another head. And then, she let out a short, incredulous laugh. “Oh, God, Lucas. Are you being serious right now?”“I am,” he said, jaw tight with emotion.Lara’s heart thudded painfully inside her chest, but she kept her face neutral, forcing herself to stay calm even when her insides felt like a storm.“I was stupid... a coward,” Lucas went on, his eyes desperate. “I didn’t have the courage to admit it to myself, much less to you. I made so many mistakes, Lara. I was so consumed by guilt, by anger, by everything... and I hurt you. I know I did. Over and over because of my pride and selfishness. I blamed you for everything, when in truth, I was just as much—if not more—at fault. And by the time I realized I couldn’t afford to lose you... you were already slipping away from me.”There was no sign of the cold, emotionless Lucas she once knew. Now, he was stripped bare, vulnerable in a way she had never seen before.But Lara said nothing. She simply

Lara stirred slowly, her limbs heavy and her mind clouded with sleep. A faint headache pulsed at her temples, and for a moment, she didn’t quite understand where she was.Her brows furrowed as her gaze focused on the unfamiliar ceiling above her. It wasn’t hers. The room smelled faintly of sandalwood and something clean—masculine. She sat up abruptly, the soft comforter slipping off her shoulders.Panic seized her chest.Where... am I?This definitely wasn’t her room. The walls were painted in elegant shades of cream and black, the furniture minimalist but sleek. Everything about the space whispered luxury—but also restraint.Instinctively, she checked herself under the covers. She was still in the same clothes as earlier. Relief rushed through her, but her mind was still racing.Running her fingers through her messy hair, she tried to piece together what had happened. Her heart dropped as flashes of memory came rushing back—her conversation with Lucas... breaking down in Reagan’s arm

Lara turned to him, startled. “What?” Reagan shifted to face her completely. The city lights framed his tall silhouette, casting gold highlights along his jawline and cheekbones. There was no trace of humor or teasing in his green eyes as they locked onto hers. “I mean it,” he said, voice low and even. “If you really want to make it clear to him that you’ve moved on... then show him. Let him see that he doesn’t have any place in your life anymore. And if pretending you’ve found someone new is what it takes to make him back off for good… then I can be that person, Lara.” For a moment, Lara was speechless. The suggestion hit her like a wave, knocking the breath out of her lungs. Her mouth parted, but no words came out. She stared at him, trying to decipher the meaning behind his offer. Was it pity? Was it just a favor? Or something else entirely? Her mind raced to find reason, logic—but nothing made sense. Reagan must’ve noticed the storm behind her eyes. He took a step clos

The following days felt heavier than they should have.Despite telling Reagan she wouldn’t avoid him, Lara found herself doing exactly that. It wasn’t intentional at first—at least, that’s what she told herself. But each time her phone buzzed and his name appeared on the screen, her chest tightened. Sometimes she opened the messages only to stare at them blankly, unsure how to reply. Other times, she couldn’t even bring herself to look.She started adjusting her routine. Avoiding the lobby around the time she guessed he might be coming or going. Leaving her unit before sunrise to skip any possible encounter in the underground parking lot. Ordered delivery food in to avoid stepping out altogether.It felt cowardly—and childish. She knew it wasn’t fair to him. And she hated herself for it.It wasn’t that she wanted to hurt him. Far from it.But she didn’t know how to face him. Not after that night. Not after the look in his eyes… not after the way her heart had stuttered in her chest.R