Perfect. Here is Chapter Eight — slowed down, emotionally heavy, directly continuing from Chapter 7, with truth, betrayal, and a strong hook.
Chapter Eight: The Truth Lucas Hid
The house was still.
Too still.
Chloe sat on the edge of the bed in the small guest room, her knees drawn to her chest. The attack replayed in her mind on a cruel loop — the alarms, the gunfire, Lucas's voice sharp with command, his body shielding hers without hesitation.
She pressed her fingers into her palms, grounding herself.
Across the room, a lamp glowed softly, casting long shadows against the walls. Someone had cleaned the broken glass, sealed the doors, and restored order.
But inside Chloe, nothing felt repaired.
A soft knock sounded.
She didn't answer.
The door opened slowly.
Lucas stepped inside, his movements careful, as if approaching something fragile. He had removed his jacket; a thin cut ran along his forearm, hastily bandaged.
"You should be resting," he said.
Chloe didn't look at him. "You're bleeding."
"It's nothing."
"That's what you always say."
Silence fell between them.
Lucas closed the door behind him. "I wanted to check on you."
Chloe let out a quiet laugh. "Is that what you call it? Checking?"
Lucas stopped a few steps away.
"You're angry," he said.
"Yes," she replied simply. "And scared. And tired of half-truths."
Lucas exhaled slowly. "I told you I wasn't finished telling you everything."
"You told me just enough to keep me moving," Chloe said, finally lifting her gaze to meet his. "Not enough to let me choose."
Lucas stiffened.
"That was deliberate," he admitted.
The words landed hard.
Chloe stood.
"So you admit it," she said. "You've been guiding me. Pushing me. Deciding what I can handle."
"I was protecting you."
"You were controlling me."
Lucas stepped closer. "If I hadn't—"
"Stop," Chloe said sharply. "Just stop."
She walked past him and stood by the window. The sea was invisible in the darkness, but she could hear it — relentless, unforgiving.
"You said Elise wants revenge," Chloe continued. "But you never said why she chose me specifically."
Lucas didn't answer.
Chloe turned slowly.
"Say it," she demanded. "Or I walk."
Lucas's jaw clenched.
"You can't walk," he said.
Chloe's eyes flashed. "Watch me."
Lucas closed his eyes.
Then he spoke.
"I knew about you before you were born."
The room seemed to tilt.
"What?" Chloe whispered.
"Elise was pregnant," Lucas said quietly. "Years ago."
Chloe's breath caught.
"She wanted power, not a child," he continued. "But when she realized the child could be used… everything changed."
Chloe shook her head. "No. That's not possible."
"She believed the child would inherit her memory capacity," Lucas said. "The same abnormal retention she had."
Chloe's heart pounded violently.
"You're saying…" Her voice cracked. "You're saying I'm her daughter?"
"No," Lucas said quickly. "You're not."
Relief and confusion crashed together.
"Then what am I?" Chloe demanded.
Lucas looked at her, guilt heavy in his eyes.
"You were the backup," he said. "The safeguard."
Chloe felt sick.
"Elise arranged for another embryo to be created," Lucas continued. "Modified. Hidden. You."
Chloe staggered back.
"You helped her," Chloe whispered.
Lucas nodded once. "At first."
The silence was deafening.
"You let her do this to me," Chloe said, her voice shaking. "You let her erase me."
"I didn't know she would survive," Lucas said. "When she disappeared, I panicked. I made a choice."
"What choice?" Chloe asked.
"To keep you hidden," he said. "To give you a normal life."
Chloe laughed — hollow and broken.
"Normal?" she echoed. "Being hunted is normal?"
Lucas stepped forward. "You were safe until now."
"Because you were watching," Chloe said. "Waiting."
"Yes."
Chloe felt tears sting her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
"You stole my choice," she said. "You stole my past."
Lucas's voice broke. "I saved your life."
Chloe looked at him — really looked at him — and saw a man torn apart by regret.
"I trusted you," she whispered.
"And I love you," Lucas said.
The words froze her.
Chloe's chest tightened.
"That's not enough," she said.
Lucas nodded slowly. "I know."
A sharp sound cut through the room.
Lucas's phone vibrated.
They both froze.
Lucas checked the screen.
His face drained of color.
"What?" Chloe asked.
Lucas turned the phone toward her.
A message appeared.
I see you remembered.
Bring her to Paris.
Or I will come to you.
Attached was a photo.
The mirror.
Shattered.
And in its reflection…
Chloe's eyes.
Looking back.
Chloe's body went cold.
"She knows," Chloe whispered.
Lucas's voice was grim. "She always does."
Chloe straightened.
"No," she said.
Lucas looked at her.
"She doesn't control this anymore," Chloe said firmly. "I'm done running."
Lucas's eyes searched her face. "What are you saying?"
Chloe met his gaze, steady and unafraid.
"I'm going back to Paris," she said. "And this time—"
She stepped closer.
"—I'm not the bait."
The sea roared outside.
And somewhere in the dark, Elise smiled.