CEO Plus-Size Ex-Wife

Chapter 121: Have You Fallen In Love With Lucas Anderson?

As Andrea processed Tony's suggestion, her body slumped weakly into the chair. The prospect of meeting Valentine Anderson stirred a whirlwind of apprehension within her, even though a part of her longed for the encounter.

"I get it, Andrea, you're scared," Tony said, reading the hesitation in her posture. "But you've got to tell him everything. There's no wrongdoing on your part, no reason for guilt. Don't shy away from meeting him; he'll understand why you had to bring Lucas Anderson back."

Andrea responded only with silence, the weight of the decision to meet Valentine or not pressing heavily upon her.

"Andrea..." Tony's voice was gentle, prompting her to voice her thoughts.

With a rueful sigh, Andrea admitted, "Tony, I can't pinpoint when I'll be ready to see him."

Tony's face lit up with a hopeful smile as he pressed, "Why don't we set a date then?"

But Andrea, not ready to commit, waved off the suggestion. "Let's not rush this."

Although reluctant, Tony nodded in agreement; his eagerness to drive a wedge between Andrea and Lucas Anderson was palpable. Rising to his feet, he announced, "I'll start making preparations, but the sooner you decide, the better."

Andrea, however, remained silent, her gaze lowered, her mind still a tumult of indecision.

Recognizing her quiet stance as a clear sign she wouldn't engage further, Tony conceded to the moment, opened the door, and stepped out, leaving her with her thoughts.

Andrea had been sequestered in her study for what seemed like an eternity, her thoughts her only company as she wrestled with an impending decision. The room's quietude was so deep that when she finally emerged, the day had given way to night.

Lucas Anderson was waiting, a glass of water in hand. "Here, you must be thirsty," he offered gently.

She accepted the glass, and as the water quenched her parched throat, she realized just how thirsty she had actually been. After draining the glass, she offered Lucas a grateful smile. "Thank you."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Lucas asked, his voice cautious. He had learned from his mother and sister that the man who had confronted them at the gate days earlier, with a stranger's face, was none other than his twin brother, Valentine Anderson.

Andrea's expression was a complex tapestry of emotions as she quietly murmured, "Yes."

Lucas quickly returned the empty glass to the kitchen before rejoining her.

"Let's stroll around the mansion," he suggested. "The evening breeze might help ease some of the tension."

Agreeing, Andrea followed him outside the house, the house's walls feeling too constrictive around her.

As they walked, Lucas began to share his own burdens. "My mom and sister came by today to apologize. My mom, especially, she asked for my forgiveness for what happened years ago."

His chuckle was tinged with sorrow.

Andrea reached out, her hand finding his. "Are you still angry with her?" she asked.

Shaking his head, Lucas replied, "No, I can't be. She's my mother, and I understand why she made that choice. I've blamed myself for feeling unworthy of her love..."

Before he could continue, Andrea's finger pressed to his lips, silencing him. "Don't say that. Your mother loves you. Even if her actions were misguided, they were done with your best interests at heart. The outcome may not have been what she hoped, but that doesn't diminish her love."

Her words seemed to lift the darkness from Lucas's heart, and his face brightened with a genuine smile.

Caught in the moment, Andrea found herself lost in his smile, her gaze lingering until self-awareness brought a blush to her cheeks and she quickly looked away.

Lucas noticed her reaction but thought little of it. He led her to a grove of trees within the estate, where he pressed a hidden button on one of the trunks, and suddenly the grove was aglow with twinkling, multi-colored lights.

"It's beautiful," Andrea breathed out, her eyes reflecting the brilliant display.

"I planned to surprise you for your birthday, but I thought you could use a little magic today," Lucas said as he took her hand. "I'm glad you like it."

"I love it," she replied, her smile as luminous as the lights around them.

They settled onto a bench that Lucas had placed there earlier. Side by side, they sat in comfortable silence until Lucas spoke.

"Andrea, please, tell me what's troubling you."

Andrea hesitated, her nerves a tangle of emotions. She was caught between the brothers, her heart a battlefield of confusion and uncertainty.

As she struggled to find the words, Lucas reassured her, "When Valentine returns, I'll keep my distance. I won't make things difficult for either of you. If you need to talk to him, I'll help explain things."

Hearing this should have been a relief, but instead, Andrea felt a pang of sadness. "I'll go to Cardiff with Tony," she said quietly, fearing that going to Cardiff with Lucas Anderson could ignite further strife between the brothers.

Lucas chose to respect her decision, offering his presence as solace. The night air, fresh and gentle, began to soothe Andrea's frayed edges.

Gradually, she relaxed against Lucas, her body yielding to sleep. Observing her peaceful face, Lucas whispered with a tender resolve, "Andrea, even though I've fallen for you, your happiness is what matters most to me."

As the leaves pirouetted in their gentle descent from the trees, the sun ascended from the east, casting its warm glow into Andrea's office where an unexpected visitor appeared.

"Andrea, you didn't mention your visit to Vegas City," Agatha's sudden arrival pleasantly surprised Andrea.

"Andrea, Tony phoned me before I came here. Can you be honest with me? Have you truly fallen for Lucas Anderson?" Agatha inquired directly.