CHAPTER 3: THE SECRET
The next morning, Lucas appeared at my office.
Security tried to stop him.
I allowed him in.
For closure.
Nothing more.
The moment he entered, he looked different.
No confidence.
No arrogance.
No power.
Just desperation.
"Isabella," he whispered.
"Please."
I remained seated.
"What do you want?"
His eyes filled with regret.
"I made a mistake."
I almost laughed.
A mistake?
For three years?
For the affairs?
The humiliation?
The betrayal?
No.
Those were choices.
He stepped closer.
"I love you."
The lie sounded pathetic.
Before I could respond, another voice interrupted.
"That's interesting."
The door opened.
Sophie walked in.
Her face was pale.
Her hands trembled.
Lucas froze.
"What are you doing here?"
Sophie's eyes burned with anger.
"I came to tell her the truth."
The room went silent.
Lucas immediately panicked.
"Sophie, don't."
She ignored him.
Then she looked at me.
"The baby isn't his."
The world seemed to stop.
Lucas stared at her.
"What?"
Tears rolled down Sophie's cheeks.
"The child isn't yours."
His knees nearly gave out.
"You said—"
"I lied."
The confession hit harder than any punch.
Sophie laughed bitterly.
"You promised me everything."
She pointed at him.
"But you never intended to leave your wife until you thought she was powerless."
Lucas stood frozen.
Destroyed.
Then Sophie delivered the final blow.
"The father is your best friend."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
For the first time in years, I watched Lucas experience true betrayal.
The same betrayal he had given so freely to others.
And somehow...
I felt nothing.
No satisfaction.
No anger.
No pain.
May you like
Just peace.
Because he no longer mattered.
