“Say ‘just’ again,” Lucas warned, voice icy.
The room was silent.
“If you want someone who sides with staff over his fiancée… maybe—” Isabella began.
“Do you know why I asked you to move in?” Lucas interrupted.
“Because you love me?” she said, tilting her chin.
“No,” he replied slowly. “I wanted to see if you could fit into my life. Respect my values. Treat the people I love with care.”
“You failed,” Lucas said.
“You’re breaking up with me? Over her?” Isabella’s face twisted in disbelief.
“Yes,” Lucas said. “Over her—and what your behavior says about you.”
Isabella grabbed her purse, muttering curses, and stormed toward the elevator.
When the doors closed, Lucas exhaled. His body trembled with anger, betrayal… and relief.
He knelt beside Mrs. Carmichael. “Don’t ever bow to anyone like that again. Especially not in my home.”
“I’m sorry, hijo,” she whispered. “I didn’t want to upset you.”
“She was never more important than you,” Lucas said.
He helped her to a chair and prepared tea, the quiet intimacy of their bond filling the penthouse.
Later, Lucas sat at his desk and drafted a few decisive emails: