Chapter 27: Resolve
Morning came, bringing with it the warm glow of sunlight filtering through the curtains. Lara blinked groggily, her body heavy with exhaustion. With a sigh, she reached for her phone, her heart foolishly expecting to see a message or a missed call from Lucas. Maybe an explanation. Maybe an excuse.
Instead, there was only a single text message waiting for her.
Lucas: I'll be on a business trip. Back by Friday afternoon.
That was it.
No explanation. No apology. Just a plain, indifferent text as if she were nothing more than an afterthought.
Lara stared at the message, her fingers tightening around her phone. He didn't even have the decency to tell her in person.
A bitter chuckle slipped past her lips. Of course he didn't. Why had she expected anything more?
She bit the inside of her cheek, forcing down the sharp sting in her chest. After last night, she thought she was done feeling hurt by him. But how foolish of her to think that Lucas had run out of ways to make her feel insignificant.
Jaw clenched, she locked her phone and set it back on the bedside table before pushing herself out of bed. She headed straight to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face as if it could wash away the fatigue.
There was no point dwelling on it.
She wouldn't cry over Lucas anymore. She wouldn't waste another day waiting around for a man who had never once prioritized her.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, shaking off the suffocating thoughts.
Then, she moved.
She showered, dressed, and went to work.
She threw herself into her lessons, distracting herself with her students, and smiled when she needed to. She laughed when expected, keeping up the illusion that everything was fine.
And whenever Lucas tried to creep into her thoughts, she forced them away.
She had spent years chasing after his love, fighting for a marriage only she seemed to care about.
But today... something shifted inside her.
The ache in her chest hadn't disappeared. But this time, there was something else alongside it. Something quieter, stronger. A resolve she had never felt before.
The day passed by in a blur, and before Lara knew it, Friday had arrived.
She was in the faculty room, gathering her things after her last class, when her phone buzzed with a message.
Lucas: I'll pick you up at 6.
She stared at the screen for a moment, then locked her phone without responding. What was the point? He was merely informing her, not asking. There was no room for discussion.
"Heading home already?" one of her co-teachers asked as she slung her bag over her shoulder.
"Yeah, I have an event to go to tonight." she said, managing a small smile. "I'll see you all on Monday. Have a good weekend."
They exchanged quick goodbyes before she made her way to the parking lot, sliding into her car and driving home.
As soon as she arrived, she headed straight to her bedroom. The dress she had set aside that morning hung neatly inside her closet. She reached for it and let out a slow breath.
Tonight was going to be difficult.
She pushed the thought aside and slipped into the dress. A simple yet elegant olive green long dress. The fitted silhouette hugged her curves in all the right places, while the ruched detailing at the waist accentuated her figure. Its square neckline and cap sleeves gave it a sophisticated touch, and the soft fabric cascaded down to her ankles, exuding timeless grace. She paired it with shimmering pointed-toe heels, their delicate ankle straps adding a hint of femininity. The glittering surface caught the light with every movement, complementing the dress perfectly.
Sitting in front of her vanity, Lara began applying her makeup, focusing on soft, neutral tones. Just enough to highlight her features. To make her look composed, even if she didn't feel it.
After securing her hair in a stylish messy bun, she let a few loose curls frame her face before fastening a delicate silver necklace with a small pendant around her neck. She paired it with matching silver earrings, the cool metal resting lightly against her skin.
With one last glance in the mirror, she smoothed down her dress and nodded to herself.
She looked fine. Put together. Unshaken. Even if deep down, she felt anything but.
Swallowing hard, she grabbed her silver handbag and the carefully wrapped gift box she had prepared the night before. Then, with one last deep breath, she made her way downstairs and settled onto the couch to wait.
Her hands rested on her lap, fingers unconsciously brushing against her wedding ring as her mind wandered.
How was she supposed to act in front of Lucas' parents tonight?
They didn't know the truth.
To them, she and Lucas were a happily married couple. Every time they visited, they played their roles perfectly. Polite smiles, stolen glances, subtle touches that meant nothing. It had been easier before. When she still had hope. When she still believed that maybe, one day, the act wouldn't be an act anymore.
But tonight, she wasn't sure she had it in her to keep up the act. The thought of pretending felt unbearable.
Her heart felt numb, empty.
Yet, what choice did she have? She couldn't shatter the illusion, couldn't let them see how broken things really were. She didn't want to worry them.
Lara exhaled, pressing a hand to her chest in a feeble attempt to steady herself.
She just have to make it through the night without breaking.
And once she's alone with Lucas, she would finally say what had been weighing on her heart for far too long.
No matter how much it hurt.
A few more minutes passed, and the main door of the house creaked open.
Lara looked up from where she sat on the couch, her grip tightening on her handbag as she watched Lucas step inside. He was dressed in a cream button-up polo shirt with a neatly pressed collar, paired with black trousers that complemented his tall, lean frame. He looked as handsome as ever, effortlessly put together. Something she had admired countless times before.
But tonight, the sight of him didn't send warmth rushing through her chest. This time, it only left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Lara forced herself to her feet, keeping her expression carefully neutral.
"You're here," she muttered, her voice devoid of the usual softness she once carried when speaking to him. She didn't even attempt a smile. She was too tired to pretend anymore.
Lucas met her gaze, his dark eyes unreadable. For a moment, he looked as though he wanted to say something, but instead, he only gave a curt nod.
"Let's go," his tone was clipped, indifferent.
Without another word, he turned on his heel and walked out the door, not bothering to check if she was following.
Lara inhaled deeply, steadying herself before moving her feet. She grabbed the wrapped gift box from the couch, clutching it tightly in one hand as she followed him.
As she stepped outside, she made sure to lock both the main door and the gate. When she turned, she found Lucas standing beside his car, his hands in his pockets.
She hesitated for a moment.
Why is he just standing there?
Lucas had never waited for her before. Had never once shown any concern about whether she got in the car first or not. Usually, he would already be seated inside, engine running, as if eager to be anywhere but near her.
Brushing the thought aside, Lara reached for the passenger door handle. Just as her fingers curled around it, another hand landed on the handle at the same time. The unexpected contact sent an involuntary jolt through her, and for a moment, she stilled. She looked up at him, her brows knitting together in confusion.
What is he doing?
Lucas met her gaze, something unreadable flashing in his dark eyes before he silently withdrew his hand. It was as if he had been about to open the door for her.
Lara swallowed the lump in her throat, composing herself. "I can open the door myself," she murmured, her voice steady but distant.
For a second, it seemed like he wanted to say something, but he didn't. Instead, he simply stepped back as she pulled the door open and slid into the passenger seat. She placed the neatly wrapped gift box in the backseat before securing her seatbelt.
A moment later, Lucas entered the driver's side, the car filling with a familiar silence as he started the engine.
Lara turned her gaze toward the window, her fingers resting lightly on her lap. The hum of the engine filled the space between them, but neither of them spoke.
The night had barely begun, and yet, she already felt exhausted.