The Unwanted Wife: She Will Be Loved

familiar warmth through her chest, but it was quickly overshadowed by the nerves twisting in her stomach. She wasn't sure what t

ly, willing hers

door handle to follow, but before she could, Lucas appeared be

urprise, her gaz

her off guard. But then, realization hit. Of course. Th

of her wanted to hold on longer, to pretend for just a moment that this was real. But Lucas let go almost ins

erself it

ouse hadn't changed-same warm, inviting ambiance, the faint floral scent her

sweet

houghts. In a heartbeat, her mother, Emilia, rus

't visit enough," her mother sa

Mom. I'

her, she turned to Lucas, her

Emilia beamed before pulling

ture. Lara almost laughed at the rare sight. But, he qu

or having me

so formal," Emilia scolded playful

urt nod. "Of c

e couch with a newspaper in hand, finally s

to kiss his cheek. "Hi, Dad, I m

ked at her. "You've lost weight," he

kled. "I

standing beside her. For a long moment,

osed, nodded res

. "Sir? What a

ra scolde

raised br

tly, could you be any ruder? Our daughter and son-in-la

e's that eager to hear it

ve a polite n

ar," she told Lucas. "You know how he is. He

el muttered, flipping a

his expression unreadab

with Lucas. "Come, I've prepared lunch. I

t Lucas has to leave after a

She turned to Lucas. "Real

'd love to stay, but unfortunately, I have a business meeting later." H

hat was a lie. There w

ne, fine. Business calls. But I

She knew better tha

tinctively plated some food for Lucas, the action so natural s

fe," Emilia gushed. "Lara always takes su

r, glanced at her mother. "She does," he

ntarily s

e sweetest." Emilia cooe

et? Hah. That man ba

le Lucas remained unfazed, quie

ilia said pointedly. "Lucas is the perfect s

oted, he'd spend more time here instead of always being 'to

omach ten

her moth

and should be home for his wif

her fists un

're right," he said, cutting his st

ucas, but his expression remained unreadable.

sponse, grunted before returning to h

'm really happy you two visited. The house has been too quiet lately. Your bro

ould respond, her mother's ne

ve little feet running

t choked o

r wouldn't let this visit pass

s and found that he, too,

en, she smiled, eyes glinting mischievously. "But honestly, I'd love

fell into

For the first time since arriving, he looked genu

intervene. "Mom, we've

t I'd like to hear Lucas' opinion." she

rnally. What was h

e she could say anything, Lucas

a f

ad ever seen it. His fingers laced through hers, and

e kids anytime,"

breath

essure Lara. I want her to be ready first. And besides..." He turned his gaze back to her, his

ted. "Oh, Lucas,

Hmph. Sounds like

r hand, was compl

hint of insincerity. But his expression was unreadable. His words e

w it wa

his was ju

rayed her, clinging on

creep up her cheeks. She focused on her

hadn't let g

me, then. But don't make me wait too long!"

here, Lucas released her hand and cont

ara f

ng in her skin, in her chest-reminding her that, despite everything, her he

errified h