Chapter 17
The snowstorm landed Elijah back in the hospital with a raging fever and periods of unconsciousness.
As he drifted in and out, calling Gloria’s name repeatedly, his assistant couldn’t help feeling sorry for him. The man pulled every connection he had, trying desperately to convince Gloria to visit Elijah just once.
Instead, all he received was a digital voice recorder delivered by one of Lucas’s staff members.
Alone in his sterile hospital room, Elijah stared at the small device, turning it over in his hands before finally hitting play.
After some background chatter, Gloria’s voice cut through clearly.
“If Jenna hadn’t been exposed, I might have waited forever for him to see the truth.” Her voice carried that unmistakable edge.
“People only face reality when they’re forced to, only appreciate what they had after throwing it away. I don’t need his too–little–too–late apologies. I have no interest in getting tangled up with Elijah again. That would only drag me backward when I’ve finally moved forward. Clean break, no contact–that’s the healthiest ending for both of us.”
Elijah played those words again and again, searching for some hint they were doctored or taken out of context.
But he knew her voice too well–every inflection, every subtle pause. This was undeniably Gloria speaking her truth.
Each replay hammered home the reality he couldn’t face: she truly didn’t love him anymore. Her tone didn’t even carry resentment–just finality.
The message couldn’t be clearer: It’s over, Elijah. Move on.
The recorder hit the wall with a sharp CRACK as he hurled it across the room. Red–eyed and gasping, he clutched at his chest like he was having a
heart attack.
CO
His assistant rushed in at the noise, only to be met with a guttural “GET OUT!”
As the door clicked shut, Elijah collapsed back against the pillows, his face twisted with regret.
“Gloria…” he whispered into the empty room.
Meanwhile at the Hayes estate, Lucas’s satisfied smile coincided perfectly with Gloria appearing at the top of the staircase.
“What’s got you looking so smug?” she asked, descending toward him.
Lucas met her halfway, catching her hand for the final steps.
“Just handled something that needed handling,” he replied cryptically.
Gloria didn’t push further as she curled up beside him on the sofa.
His arm drew her closer, his face brushing against her cheek. When his warm breath tickled her ear, she squirmed away with a laugh.
Finding her reaction irresistible, Lucas continued his playful assault, deliberately blowing soft breaths against her sensitive skin.
Eventually, he caught her, pressing her gently back against the cushions. His lips found hers in a kiss that started soft but quickly deepened, their tongues meeting as the world fell away around them.
Gloria’s initial shyness gradually melted. She surrendered to the moment, eyes closed, letting herself be carried by sensation. Thought gave way to feeling as she pulled him closer, needing more contact, more connection.
When they finally broke apart, Lucas lifted her effortlessly into his arms and carried her upstairs.
Soon, the unmistakable sounds of intimacy filtered faintly through the bedroom door. The household staff discreetly retreated to other wings of the house, respecting the couple’s privacy.
Morning sunlight streamed through half–drawn curtains as Lucas turned Gloria gently in his arms. His kisses traced a path from her shoulder up her neck, eventually reclaiming her lips.
Chapter 17
When she stirred with a sleepy murmur of protest, he soothed her back to dreams with gentle caresses.
Later, freshly showered and dressed, he descended to the main floor only to notice his house manager’s uncomfortable expression.
“Sir, there’s quite a collection of deliveries that arrived at the gate. For Ms. Ramirez. What would you like us to do with them?”
Though they weren’t officially married yet, from the day Gloria moved in, Lucas had subtly established her position as lady of the house.
Hearing about the deliveries, he knew immediately who had sent them.
His expression remained perfectly neutral as he stated quietly, “Return everything. And make sure she doesn’t find out about any of it.”
Chapter 18
