Dead at Heart

"Lucas!"

A woman's excited voice shattered Ariel's thoughts.

Before she could react, the woman brushed past her and threw herself straight into Lucas' broad chest. He caught her out of habit, letting her cling to him without resistance.

"Do you know how long I've been waiting for you? If you weren't released soon, my dad was going to force me into an arranged marriage!"

Lucas studied the woman's face while responding to her eager kiss. A smirk played at his lips. "Are you that desperate? Tell your driver to step out for a moment. I'll give your dad a grand gift."

The woman pouted playfully but clung to him. "Don't be naughty! My dad wants me to bring you home. He said he wants to meet you. He even planned a welcome-back dinner."

Ariel felt like her feet were nailed to the ground. She stared blankly at the scene before her.

The delayed sting of embarrassment and helplessness set in.

The Lucas she had known—the one who had always been gentle and thoughtful and who had centered his world around her—felt like nothing more than a dream from the past ten years.

A dull pain began to stir in her stomach.

It was as if a knife from the past had traveled through time and struck her all over again.

"Ari, I don't want to be a Sanderson. I don't want to be your brother. Will you marry me when you grow up?"

His warm voice echoed in her mind, making Ariel momentarily dizzy.

"Watch out!"

A sharp voice jolted Ariel back to reality. She turned in time to see a motorcycle speeding toward Lucas and that woman.

Without hesitation, Lucas pulled the woman into his arms, shielding her completely.

Meanwhile, Ariel stumbled back, covering her face in a panic. In her haste, she twisted her ankle.

"Are you…" Lucas turned to look at her. His deep gaze flickered with scrutiny and a hint of panic.

"I'm fine." Before the tears could fall, Ariel turned and ran.

The woman tilted her head curiously. "Who was that?"

Lucas hesitated for a moment before pinching her chin and kissing her lightly. "Looked like someone I used to know."

Someone he used to know…

The person he grew up with for over a decade and the one he once promised to marry was just someone he used to know.

Ariel hurried back to her car. Clutching her aching stomach, she leaned against the steering wheel and gasped for breath. Cold sweat broke out in layers across her skin.

She couldn't tell if the pain in her chest was worse or the illness that was eating away at her.

Her thoughts were cut off by the sudden ringing of her phone.

She glanced at the screen. It was Colton.

…

At Bluum Corp, Colton frowned as he received the document Ariel had sent.

They worked in the same building. What was she trying to pull? Was this her way of getting Jayson's attention, since she wasn't allowed near the CEO's office?

How childish.

Annoyed, Colton marched straight to the PR department only to be told that Ariel wasn't in today.

The day was already hectic. He frowned deeper and called Ariel. "Ms. Walker, I don't know what game you're playing, but get back to the office immediately."

Ariel's eyes darkened.

This must be about Jayson. Had he already seen the divorce papers and wanted to talk?

That was the only possibility she could think of.

Without hesitation, she turned the car around and headed straight for Bluum Corp.

When Colton saw Ariel rushing in, his suspicions were confirmed. She hadn't changed—still seeking special attention from Jayson. Colton could barely hide the mockery on his face.

"Where is he?" Ariel's face was pale.

She still needed to pick up her medication from the hospital. She was still considering her treatment. Once she started chemotherapy, it would be hard to hide from her grandmother, Katie Taylor, and uncle, Leonard Walker.

"This is Bluum Corp, Ms. Walker. You expect Mr. Larkin to come down personally just to see you?" Colton's tone was all business. "He has something for you to handle."

"Is it about the div—"

"There was some negative press surrounding Ms. Stanton's birthday celebration last night. People are questioning whether she stole someone else's man. Ms. Stanton isn't just anyone. She's about to become the face of Bluum Corp's key project. We can't afford any scandals tarnishing her image.

"Mr. Larkin requested that you handle it. Make sure Ms. Stanton's name is cleared and shut down the rumors."