Chapter 8 - LUCAS FINALLY SAYS IT
Lucas and I met face-to-face during mediation.
First time in five months.
He looked older.
Not ruined.
Not destitute.
Just a man who had run out of stories that made him the victim.
During a break, he asked:
“Can I talk to you?”
Priya looked at me.
My choice.
I nodded.
Five minutes.
We stood near a window.
Lucas said:
“I’m sorry.”
I waited.
He laughed bitterly.
“You’re going to ask which part.”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
“Fair.”
Then:
“I’m sorry I cheated.”
“I’m sorry I used Lumina’s money.”
“I’m sorry I told my mother I owned half.”
“I’m sorry I let her humiliate you because correcting her made me feel smaller.”
That last one mattered.
I looked at him.
“Why did telling her the truth make you feel small?”
He stared outside.
“Because everyone knew you were the talented one.”
I almost interrupted.
He continued.
“You had the restaurant.”
“You had the awards.”
“Food magazines mentioned you.”
“People asked me what it was like being married to Chef Camilla Reed.”
“I started saying ‘our restaurant.’”
“Then I started believing I deserved that.”
“And when Mom repeated it…”
He shrugged.
“It felt good.”
There it was.
Not loneliness.
Not neglect.
Ego.
Then:
“Sienna made me feel like the successful one.”
I nodded.
Understanding is not absolution.
But clarity matters.
He said:
“I know you’re not taking me back.”
“No.”
“I wouldn’t ask.”
Good.
Then:
“I want you to know I understand now.”
“What?”
“Lumina was never proof you loved me.”
“And it was never proof I failed.”
“It was your work.”
I swallowed.
“That would have meant more eight years ago.”
“I know.”
Five minutes ended.
I returned to mediation.
We finished the settlement two months later.
No reconciliation.
No war.
May you like
Just an ending.
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