Chapter <b>49 </b>


    Ariel couldn’t quite describe how she was feeling. It wasn’t disappointment, just irony.


    But as she thought about it, it made sense. How could Jayson possibly deny the woman he loved a proper


    title?


    Lucas had led her to the parking lot by the entrance, while she calmly pulled her hand away and asked, “What are you trying to say?”


    Leaning against the car door, Lucas knew Ariel was furious right now. The people who’d stabbed her in the back were her father, husband, sister, and maybe even him.


    But he knew that his ce in Ariel’s heart had always been above the rest. She’d listen to whatever he said.


    “You know Jayson would never get involved with Lori. It’s obvious to everyone how much he cares about Nancy,’ he said, lighting a cigarette. 1


    Ariel froze. Right, that was what everyone thought.


    His voice was rxed, and his gaze was serious as he continued, “As for Lori, she’s my sister. I can’t just stand by and do nothing.”


    Ariel had thought she could brush off what happened today, but that one sentence proved Lucas was here to


    defend Lori. ↑


    He knew perfectly well that Lori and Teresa had taken everything from her her family and Elena. She’d suffered so much, and he’d watched it all happen.


    Back then, he used to get teary–eyed just talking about it. He swore he’d gain the power to protect her no matter what, but now, he could calmly say things like this.


    “Your idea of not standing by and watching is making me step back and swallow my grievance, just so Lori can escape unscathed? You’re thest person who should be giving me that advice,” Ariel said with a softugh as her heart throbbed.1


    She looked at him and thought of how she’d nearly lost her life saving him once, and he was pretending nothing had happened.


    Ariel wasn’t one to argue, so she turned to leave.


    Lucas frowned somewhat irritatedly. He snubbed out the cigarette and said, “How about dinner sometime? This weekend?”


    He knew she was upset now, but she was still that headstrong youngdy. If he spent some time and talked to her, she’d let it all go like always.


    Ariel took a deep breath and was about to refuse. “No-”


    “Forget it. I have ns this weekend. I’ll call you another time.” Lucas interrupted and suddenly remembered he had tickets to a game with Wendy.


    He would be spending time with Wendy. That day wouldn’t work.


    But there was no need to exin that to Ariel. She’d get upset and throw a fit, and it’d just make things messy.


    “No need,” Ariel said tly. She could tell he was in a tough spot and didn’t intend to have dinner with him in the first ce. It wasn’t appropriate anymore as siblings or almost–lovers.


    As she turned and left with a coat wrapped tightly around her, Lucas frowned. Something felt different about Ariel.


    She’d spent her whole teenage years with him, and he’d been one of the most important people in her life. He was her first crush, and he knew how much he meant to her.


    Back then, Ariel had been bright and cheerful under his care. She used to be possessive and mind if there were other women around him.


    He figured this incident with Lori was just jealousy. That was why she was so cold.


    That made sense. Perhaps she hadn’t changed after all; she was just ying the same tricks as before.


    The more she cared, the more intense her reactions were.


    Lucas sorted through his thoughts and rubbed his temples. He had no ns to interfere.


    Ariel had to learn that he wasn’t hers alone. It was time she grew up.


    Janice hadn’te away with much damage. There was just a careless moment where Lori had managed to scratch her during the scruffle.


    In response, she’d dug her fresh manicure into Lori’s inner arm and made sure the pain wouldst a week.


    Ariel couldn’t help butugh. As for Jayson, she no longer cared to pay attention.


    She had someone from the repair service drive back the car she’d left parked at the marital home. If things went ording to her n, she wouldn’t be going back again.


    Leonard’s birthday wasing up. Ariel had bought his gift a month in advance, but before heading over, she thought about it and took a little detour to a shopping mall.


    After picking out Jayson’s present for Leonard, she finally made her way to Katie’s ce.