#Chapter 83: Lucian’s Date

Aria’s POV Even from where I am sitting in an adjoining room, I hear Sheila’s arrival and her announcement. “Lucian’s… date?” I gasp. Through the doorway, I watched as Lucian turned to look at me, our eyes locking across the room. My already wounded heart urged him to deny Sheila’s claims. Instead, he just silently continued to look at me. Outwardly, I tried to maintain a calm composure. Inwardly, my heart was breaking all over again. Turning my gaze away from Lucian, I focused on Julia instead. Her frown had deepened considerable with Sheila’s arrival. Harold, unfortunately, had grown considerably paler. “Why don’t I get you some water?” I said to him as I started to stand. In part, I’d hoped to hide in the kitchen to compose myself for a minute or two, before I would be forced to deal with Sheila and whatever fresh drama she hoped to unleash on me and this family gathering. “No,” Harold said. “Don’t go. Stay here with us.” He stared at me with intent, so I sat back