Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover

Lucas could sense what Chloe was itching to say. Maybe Tara had nudged her to speak up, but he was eager to hear it himself.

Turning to Linda, Lucas said, "Linda, could you head back to your room?" Linda wasn't having it. "Why can't I hear what you two need to discuss?" she retorted. Lucas, growing impatient, sighed, "Please, just go back. No drama."

"Lucas, you're my husband now. Are you planning to stroll down memory lane with Chloe behind my back?" Linda accused, eyes narrowing. "Linda, stop with the nonsense," Lucas snapped, visibly upset. Seeing him genuinely angry, Linda's demeanor softened. She realized there was no stopping this conversation.

With a quick change in tone, she said, "Alright, I'll head in. Just don't keep me and the baby waiting too long." With that, she slipped inside.

The yard was dimly lit, casting long shadows around them. An old apple tree stood nearby, its branches bare and scraggly, like a forgotten ghost of its former self. Lucas reflected on how beautiful it once was, much like his relationship with Chloe had been-flourishing and then fading away.

"Chloe, what did you want to tell me?" Lucas asked, his voice carrying a hint of desperation. He secretly wished she would say she didn't want him to marry Linda or, even more daringly, suggest he should

enda altogether. Such

thoughts would have seemed ludicrous to him before, but now he realized how much he longed for even the smallest sign that Chloe still cared.

Chloe didn't say a word. Instead, she pulled a small bottle of pills from her bag. "Have you ever taken this?" she asked. Lucas's face flushed instantly. He grabbed the bottle, visibly flustered. "Chloe, how did you get this?" he stammered.

From his reaction, Chloe could tell he knew what the medicine was. It wasn't Linda secretly drugging him; she had no reason to. Besides, they already had a child together. Chloe explained, "I found it in Linda's vanity. But Lucas, why do you need this?"

His face turned crimson with

embarrassment. Since being with

Linda, things hadn't been working as

they should in the bedroom. Even

quite et

during the best of times overseas, their intimate life had

clicked teaving Linda unable to conceive naturally. Desperate for a child, Linda had persuaded him to go for IVF, and that's how their baby came to be. The medication was something Linda had gotten hold of, meant to tackle such issues. Lucas had tried it, but it did nothing for him, so he stopped. Yet, Linda had kept it tucked away in her drawer.

If Chloe knew about his condition, Lucas felt he'd never be able to face her again. Flustered, he snapped, "Chloe, this isn't your business. Stay out of it Chloe rolled her eyes," really don't care about your issues. This is actually for heart problems, but hey, don't say I didn't warn you-taking it willy-nilly could mess things up for you big time."

Chloe felt she had done her part. Even though she and Lucas were practically strangers now, she figured it was only right to give him a heads-up.