Chapter 158

Ariella Rios stayed silent, clearly still caught up in thoughts about her lost child. Lucian Sterling didn’t want her stuck in that grief loop. Death was already painful enough—he didn’t want their memories to keep the child tied down. He was crushed too, but he’d rather move forward with her than stay drowning in sadness. That wouldn’t help anyone. “You’re being all quiet... don’t tell me you’re seriously thinking of ditching me? I thought telling your dad we broke up was just part of the plan. You’re not actually following through, are you?” “Huh?” Ariella blinked, clearly lost in her thoughts before snapping out of it. “No, of course not. Don’t overthink. I promised I’d stay with you—I wouldn’t just back out. My dad's only acting that way 'cause he worries. But one day, when he sees how seriously we feel about this, I really believe he'll come around.” That firm response hit Lucian straight in the heart. After everything they’d been through, Ariella finally wasn't hiding anymore. Th