Chapter 69

Gerard broke into a cold sweat. “Mr. Manor, you’re really misunderstanding the situation. We’re just here to visit,”

“And besides, Mr. Reid isn’t some playboy; he’s a man of integrity. I can personally vouch for him. He would never have any improper thoughts about Ms…”

Dominic cast Grand a cool, immeasurable glance.

Vespera felt a headache coming on. This was getting ridiculous. She didn’t care to explain things to Luke, but she also couldn’t let Dominic take the blame for something completely unfounded.

“Luke, can you stop being crazy for once? Mr. Brid has absolutely no interest in me. Not even a little. He doesn’t even like women!”

Dominic, Luke, and Grand all fell into stunned silence.

That last sentence made the entire room fall silent.

After a long pause, Dominic let out a slow breath and gave Vespera a look—one that was both vaguely amused and exasperated. “Ms. Gildon, thank you for the publicity. I shall reward you for that.”

Then, he stood up and walked out.

Vespera was a little slow to react. When she finally realized what she had just implied, she quickly tried to salvage it. “Wait, I wasn’t saying you like men…”

The door slammed shut.

Vespera clamped her mouth shut, feeling an oncoming migraine.

Luke narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Is Dominic gay? He doesn’t seem like it.”

Vespera felt her temple throb. “Luke, we are done. Even if you refuse to finalize the divorce, we are still done.”

“Stop calling me your wife, and stop saying I’m your woman. I don’t belong to anyone. I belong to myself.”

Luke’s gaze darkened, his voice cold and unyielding. “Unless I’m dead, we’ll never be over.”

His words carried a sharp finality, as if he wanted to carve them into her bones, forcing her to understand—her determination to leave meant nothing. She was determined to leave him, and he was determined never to let her go.

The next morning, Gerard arrived at the hospital to settle the medical bills and handle Vespera’s discharge paperwork. He had also arranged for a driver to pick her up. Gerard was under a lot of pressure, but he still pushed forward and walked in.

“Why are you taking his jet? We have our own. You don’t need them to send you back,” Luke scoffed, waving off the idea the moment he heard they were here to take Vespera to the airport.

Vespera glared at him. She got up from the bed and motioned for Gerard to bring the wheelchair over.

Before Gerard could move, Luke reached out and pressed down on the wheelchair.

She immediately turned hostile. “Are you looking for a fight or an argument? My leg just started healing. Do you want me to rip my wound open and bleed everywhere? Would that make you happy?”

He hadn’t meant to argue with her, and he certainly wouldn’t lay a hand on her.

His voice softened. “Taking our own jet is the same. There’s no need to trouble others.”

Vespera’s expression remained blank. “There is no ‘our.’ You are the others.”

Luke let the words stab straight into his chest, the pain sharp and unrelenting. In the end, he didn’t dare lift her. He was afraid she would struggle and end up hurting herself again.

But he still insisted on pushing the wheelchair himself. Then, he followed her into the car and accompanied her to the airport.

Luke had no desire to return to Hewick so soon. If it were up to him, he would take her somewhere no one could find them, somewhere they could rekindle what they once had.

In the VIP lounge at the airport, Dominic eyed Luke as he walked in. “Are you trying to bum a ride?”

Luke, unfazed, replied shamelessly, “Yes. But if you’re feeling stingy, Mr. Reid, I don’t mind paying for my seat.”