Chapter 32
Chapter 32
When Lucas mentioned the upcoming event, Emily didn’t hesitate. “I’m busy that day,” she said, shutting him down flat.
But Lucas wasn’t about to give up. He moved to block her path in the hallway. “This isn’t optional. You’re coming.”
Emily studied him with genuine confusion. “You can’t stand having me around, Mr. Bennett. Why insist? Unless you enjoy watching me kill the vibe.”
Lucas almost revealed it was her welcome celebration but stopped himself when he remembered Lydia’s insistence on keeping it a surprise. “It’s a family event,” he said instead. “You’re family. That means you belong there.”
Two years ago, those words would have set her heart racing. She’d have marked the date in her calendar and counted down the days. Now they settled like a weight in her chest.
These were the same people who’d told her she didn’t know her place, who’d made her change her surname. Now they called her family. The irony almost made her laugh.
She opened her mouth to refuse again when a sudden thought gave her pause. “Will Grandpa Charles be attending?”
“Of course,” Lucas answered too quickly, his voice booming with false confidence.
Charles had never acknowledged Lydia’s place in the family. He skipped any gathering she attended, which was why she hadn’t invited him tonight.
But Lucas needed Emily there, and he couldn’t let Lydia down. If a white lie would solve the problem, he’d use it.
At the mention of Charles, Emily’s resistance crumbled.
She’d consulted his doctor, who told her Charles’s health had been declining from stress these past two years. For weeks now, she’d played her part, assuring Charles the Bennetts still treated her well. His peace of mind mattered more than her pride.
Luckily, her regular two days off fell right on the party date. She’d just need her boss’s okay for it.
When Emily finally agreed, Lucas should have felt triumphant. But as he watched her walk away-shoulders straight, never glancing back-an unfamiliar weight settled behind his ribs.
Lucas’s thoughts churned with justification. ‘We took her things back then to help her. Now that she’s returned, why hasn’t she asked for them back? She must still be mad that we sent her to St. Gabriel’s. Typical-she never understood we were trying to help.
Frustrated and resolved to fix the situation, he tracked down a servant. “Which room are Emily’s old things stored in?”
His plan was simple-return her possessions to improve her mood and prevent her from making trouble for Lydia at the party. He’d even get her a new phone so Lydia could contact her directly.
The servant replied quickly, “Ms. Harper’s belongings are in the storage room, sir.”
Lucas’s temper sparked. “Storage? I pay your salaries to treat people’s property this way?”
The servant recoiled before hurriedly explaining, “But Mr. Bennett, you specifically said seeing her things irritated you. You ordered us to store them away permanently.”
The memory surfaced abruptly, giving him pause. He had said exactly that. Annoyed at himself, he ran a hand through his hair. “Whatever. Just show me the room.”
1/2
Chapter 32
Lucas had assumed handing Emily the box himself would silence her complaints.
He’d even rehearsed telling her to be sensible, to stop picking fights with Lydia. But when he saw the pitiful stack of belongings, barely two feet high, his words died in his throat.
He turned to the servant, his voice sharp. “This is everything? Nothing was taken while she was gone?”