The Real Heiress Rules the World (Sloane Rivers) novel Chapter 372

Chapter 372 Not Love Just Bad Acting

Lucas quietly studied the focused curve of her face; then, without warning, he pulled her into his arms. He held her so tightly it felt as if he wanted to press her into his very bones.

“Lucas?” Sloane was startled by his sudden movement, but then she felt the faint tremor running through his body.

“Sloane…” His voice was so hoarse it barely sounded like his own. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

He buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply. “Madam Aubrey… my mother… she has an illegitimate son.”

Sloane’s hand froze in midair. She already knew a little about this–Lena had told her.

“His name is Kelvin; he’s twenty this year.” Lucas gave a bitter laugh. “My father never knew, not until the day he died.”

Sloane’s hand gently stroked his back, feeling the tension locked in his muscles.

“All these years, I’ve used that secret to keep her in line.” He lifted his head, self–mockery glinting in his eyes. “Despicable, isn’t it?”

“No…” Sloane shook her head, her eyes misting over. “She’s the one who wronged you.”

Lucas crushed her against him even harder. “I always thought her strictness was because she wanted to shape me; I thought she liked Mason more because he was more considerate; I thought, one day, she’d see my efforts…”

“Until that day…” Lucas‘ voice caught; he had to draw in a deep breath before going on. “I saw Kelvin at Stonebridge High. He was so sunny, so carefree… and she sheltered him so well.”

Sloane felt the warmth of tears against her neck. This man, the ruthless business titan in everyone else’s eyes, was now crumbling in her arms like a wounded child.

She patted his back softly, the way one might soothe a frightened creature.

“Do you know?” Lucas lifted his head, broken light flickering in his eyes. “Every year on Kelvin’s birthday, she goes to spend it with him. But when I was ten, burning with a 104–degree fever, she only sent the butler to take me to the hospital.”

He laughed bitterly, a laugh uglier than any tears. “The funniest part is, I actually believed she did love me.. she just didn’t know how to show it.”

Sloane’s heart ached so badly she couldn’t find the words. She only held him tighter, feeling the flood of long–buried pain breaking loose inside him; his shoulders trembled with the release.

“She scratched me today because…” Lucas‘ voice dropped until it was barely audible. “Because I didn’t deliver Kelvin’s photos on time. She thought I had hurt her precious son…”

Looking at the tear–streaked face before her, Sloane realized she had never seen him like this–so fragile, like a lost child.

1/2

6:47 pm P P P P

Chapter 372 Not Love Just Bad Acting

She cupped his face in her hands and kissed away the tears.

“It’s over now,” she whispered gently. “From now on, you have me.”

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify