Of course, Fleming Mercer was in the dark about all of this.


    When he heard what Lucy said, a shadow flickered across his face.


    His brows knotting together before he could stop himself.


    Lucy waved her hand in front of his eyes, her tone uncertain. "Wait-didn''t Esmeralda tell you about any of this? Why is she avoiding you and only talking to your parents?"


    There was a different meaning behind her words now, a new implication taking shape.


    Fleming was left with one usible exnation: Esmeralda was cutting him out, making arrangements privately with his parents, as if she meant to force his hand into marriage.


    He kept his faceposed. "You should get some rest," he said.


    Lucy let out a soft sigh and managed a wry smile. “Sure. It''s your life. I couldn''t meddle in anyway."


    She didn''t give Fleming any room to reply, just turned on her heel and went upstairs.


    Fleming watched her go before heading out to his car, not hesitating as he drove straight for the Mercer family.


    Lucy lingered at the window, sipping her milk as she watched his car disappear down the drive.


    The truth was, Adrian had let something slip-not on purpose and Lucy already knew. Esmeralda had asked to break off the engagement with Fleming.


    On top of that, Fleming had gotten in trouble because of Esmeralda—a situation serious enough to put the rest of his flying career in jeopardy.


    Representing their country abroad meant every move could be magnified, every mistake turned into an international incident.


    Discipline was non-negotiable, but this time, because he''d saved someone who was vital to the national team, the authorities had let it slide.


    As for this tangled mess with Esmeralda... Lucy turned away from the window and headed back to her room.


    From Fleming''s perspective, Esmeralda now looked like someone breaking her promise-hardly a good look.


    When Fleming got to the Mercer family, the scene that greeted him was warmth andughter. Esmeralda sat in the center, just like she always had-a natural with older folks, winning smiles and easy Conversation she''d always had a knack for making herself wee.


    Fleming''s father had always been especially fond of her. "Fleming,e here! Sit with Esmeralda," he called, beaming.


    Esmeralda caught Fleming''s eye, meeting the coldness in his gaze. There was something hard to read there, an edge she couldn''t quite ce But she hoped that, with Fleming here today, they''d both be able to exin themselves clearly to end the marriage together it be awkward to bring it up alone, especially with Mr. and Mrs. Mercer havinge all this way. Just springing the news herself would feel unbelievably rude.


    Fleming made his way over. "Good evening, sir. Ma''am.”


    Esmeralda''s parents were all smiles, delighted as ever. Fleming''s reputation for excellence went before him.


    Her mother rose with obvious enthusiasm. "Dinner''s almost ready-I made that creamy coconut chicken you love. Esmeralda always mentioned it''s your favorite."


    Fleming said nothing. Esmeralda''s hands clenched on herp.


    "Weddings areplicated," Fleming''s father said gently, "but what Esmeralda wantses first. I wanted toe over and make sure everyone was on the same page."


    Lucy''s mother chimed in warmly,


    "That''s right. Lucy was supposed to


    join us tonight but she messaged she wasn''t feeling well. So it''s just,


    us plenty of time to talk."


    Fleming paused, that unsettled feeling about Lucy''s distraction earlier returning to him.


    Esmeralda nced at him—was Lucy really sick, or was she just looking for an excuse to sit this awkward scene out? She lowered her gaze, lost in her thoughts for


    a moment.


    “Actually, Fleming and I have something that we need to talk about," Esmeralda said, quiet but firm.


    Fleming stood, looking down at her. "Could you step outside with me for a minute? We need to talk."


    Esmeralda looked back at him,pletely unsure what he meant by this.