If Ariel attended the wedding, Lucas might finally realize they weren’t meant for each other.


    “Who do you think you are, ordering me around while acting all high and mighty?” Ariel asked, her voice


    calm and indifferent.


    Wendy’s expression darkened.


    Ariel nced at Wendy’s obvious baby bump. “Ms. Johnstone, no one can take from you what’s rightfully yours. And just because you want something doesn’t mean everyone else wants it too.”


    Wendy had imed she and Lucas had known each other for years, but ming Ariel for how things


    turned out was unreasonable.


    “You said I was a hindrance. I’m curious–when did you two start seeing each other? Lucas was single


    before he went to prison.”


    Wendy’s expression tightened at Ariel’s remark; a sh of unease passed her eyes. She had visited Lucas and confirmed their rtionship a month after his sentence. Wendy had vowed to wait for him, and he had promised not to let her down.


    “What are you doing here?” Lucas demanded, clutching his stomach as he stepped up behind Wendy. His


    face was cold.


    His gaze locked on Ariel, scanning her from head to toe as if to see whether she was ill or injured.


    Wendy snapped back to herself and clung to Lucas‘ arm.


    Ariel nced at Lucas‘ pale face, then took Janice’s hand. “Let’s go.”


    Janice thought about how unlucky they were to run into the couple and started to walk away.


    “Ariel, you’ll being to my wedding, right?” Lucas called, staring hard at Ariel’s retreating back, fists


    clenched.


    Ariel looked over her shoulder. “I’ll send my best wishes, Mr. Sanderson.”


    There was no warmth, no hesitation–only distance. Lucas felt as though he might explode. They had always cared for one another growing up. How had it ended like this? He couldn’t understand how Ariel could treat him like a stranger when he believed she was the one at fault.


    “Lucas? We should go see the doctor now.” Wendy’s voice was tight as she gripped his arm.


    Lucas had been drinking heavilytely; he hadn’t hidden the reason either. Wendy suspected it was because of Ariel, but she kept that thought to herself–she wouldn’t appear weak.


    Lucas slowly gathered himself. The tempest in his eyes subsided. He straightened and said quietly,<b>” </b>


    Wendy, we should reconsider getting married.”


    He couldn’t keep pretending.


    His expectations for Ariel’s reaction werepletely wrong, and he lost all patience for the n.


    Wendy’s face hardened. She forced a smile. “Stop joking, Lucas. I waited for you for three years. Look how far along I am. Take back what you just said.”


    Lucas felt raw frustration. All he could picture was Ariel’s cold, distant expression. He couldn’t ept


    that she might not want him.


    “I never asked for this child,” he said. “You were the one who said you wanted a child even if we didn’t


    marry. You can’t use it as an excuse to force me.


    “When I took over Jadeon Technologies, thepany was on the brink of bankruptcy–hundreds of millions in debt. Your father wanted to test me by handing thepany over. I’ve revived it; I’ve proved myself.”


    Wendy’s face was drained of color. Her eyes bore into Lucas.


    “You want to call off the wedding now after we’ve already sent the invitations? Lucas Sanderson, are <b>you </b>


    nning to go back to Ariel? Do you think she’s some innocent woman? Nancy’s life is ruined because of


    her. Don’t you see how wicked she is?” Wendy spat.


    Lucas frowned, still feeling unwell from the hangover. “I don’t need your opinion on who she is. I think


    we’re done here.”


    He turned to leave.


    Exasperated, Wendy shouted after him. “Lucas! If you go back to her, I won’t let Ariel off. I’ll drag her


    down with me!”


    Suddenly, a sharp pain stabbed Wendy’s lower abdomen. She stiffened. “Lucas…”