Chapter 43

They were at each other’s throats the second they opened their mouths—zero warmth, zero buffer. Claire’s icy attitude hit Lucas like a slap. Still, he didn’t get mad. He bent his long legs and dropped to one knee by her bed. “Babe, I really screwed up. I know that now. Just give me a second chance, please. I swear, I’ll never make the same mistake again.” His voice trembled with emotion, practically on the verge of tears. But Claire looked like she couldn’t care less, cold as a rock. “You don’t need to fix anything. You just followed your desires, right? Must’ve been fun spending the past six months dating around. Go ahead and keep enjoying it. I won’t stop you.” “…” Lucas felt like he’d been stabbed in the chest. He grabbed her hand, pressing desperate kisses to it. “I’m sorry—honestly, I deserve whatever punishment you give me. But it wasn’t like that with her. I never wanted anything real with her. You’re the only one I love.” “Save it.” Claire yanked her hand back hard. She had a w