Page 54 of Obsessing Over His Favorite
“Who the fuck gave these people this information and pictures?” he growled, glaring at Dillon.
“I’m not sure, Mr. Cantrell,” Dillon said with a nervous shrug. “I honestly have no idea.”
Lucas let out a harsh breath and shoved the tablet back into Dillon’s hands. Just as he turned to storm out of the living room, his phone rang.
He picked up the call. “Mom?”
“Lucas,” Charlotte’s voice came through immediately, tense and direct. “Did you break up with Emily?”
“What? No. Why are you saying that?” He froze. “Did Emily come to you?”
His heart jumped at the thought.
His heart jumped at the thought. ‘Did she go to momto complain about me? To ask her to stop him from ending things?’
It was just like her to turn something like this into a mess. She wouldn’t even think of breaking up with him—of that, he was sure. She might have stormed out of the office, but not coming home afterward? She had to have gone to his mother’s house, trying to make Charlotte talk him into not breaking up with her.
“She didn’t come to me,” Charlotte said sharply. “Why would she? Isn’t she home with you? What are you even talking about?”
The hope that had sparked in his chest fizzled into cold dread. His body stiffened. “…Then why did you call?”
“I wanted to ask about these articles on the internet. What’s going on, Lucas? Are you with Amelia now?”
Lucas’s frown deepened. “No, I’m not. Why are you even asking this?”
“What do youmeanwhy? Haven’t you seen what they’re writing?” Charlotte snapped. “They’re saying how gentle and loving you are toward Amelia. That you two are practically engaged. Look at these photos! They make her look like your fiancée.”
Lucas sighed in frustration, running his hand through his hair. His shoulders tensed beneath his blazer.
“There’s nothing between me and Amelia. These articles are just garbage—clickbait to keep the headlines rolling.” he said more calmly this time, forcing control into his voice.
Charlotte’s voice turned quiet, more composed. “Lucas… Amelia is our friend’s daughter. I asked you before if there was anything between you and her, and you told me there wasn’t.”
“That’s the truth.”
“Then what are these pictures?” she said coldly. “Then what are these pictures, Lucas? If you don’t want to be with Emily anymore, just end things with her. But don’t humiliate her like this. She’s been with you for five years—don’t ruin her life.”
“For fuck’s sake, Mom,” he snapped, his patience unraveling. “I told you, there’s nothing between me and Amelia! I’ve never had feelings for her. And Emily knows that.”
“Even if that’s true,” Charlotte pushed back, “these pictures tell a different story. The media has already painted Amelia as your bride. And what do you think Emily must feel seeing that?”
“She won’t think much of it,” he said stiffly. “She knows they’re just rumors. She understands how the press works. She won’t read too much into it. She knows the truth.”
Charlotte sighed on the other end. “Lucas, she might understand a lot of things. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. Even if you think it’s nothing, the whole world thinks otherwise. You both look like a couple in these articles. Emily must be—”
“Mom,” he cut her off, his voice tight. “You’re overthinking it. I’m with Emily. These articles are just rumors. That’s all. Don’t stress over it, okay?”
Without waiting for a reply, he ended the call, the screen going black in his hand.
Tipping his head back, he stared at the ceiling, eyes closing in sheer exhaustion.
Raking a hand through his hair, he stayed like that for a few seconds, then finally turned and headed to the bedroom. The tension in his body refused to ease. He couldn’t stop pacing—back and forth like a storm trapped in a cage.
It was nearly eleven when the door creaked open.
Lucas froze.
Emily stepped inside. She hadn’t changed—still in the same clothes she wore that morning, her blouse slightly wrinkled, heels silent against the wooden floor. She didn’t even glance in his direction. Instead, she walked straight to the dressing table and set her bag down with mechanical calm, like she was alone in the room.
