NOVEL NEXT Chapter 539: Late for regrets
Lara was shocked. Her mother had told her father she was not his child. It must have happened when she was five, a little before her uncle was set up with financial crimes.
Since then, her father had grown distanced from her. She couldn't be sure because most of her memories were from after that day. She remembered an uncle and how they played together. She remembered how her father would carry her on his shoulders.
He did the same when her brother was born, and she assumed he just loved him more. She didn't know there was more to the story.
«My mother told him soon before you were set up for the financial crimes,» she said. «Before that, everything was normal.»
«Even the fact that I loved playing with your brother and you... It must have made him think who knows what... If I knew earlier that this was your mother's plan, I might have expected what came after.»
«Still, it was just the last drop,» Lara pointed out. «It doesn't mean you can forgive him. You lost twenty years of your life, and I was thrown out of the home.»
«He didn't know...»
«For me, it might explain why he didn't fight to keep me. But there is nothing that can make it acceptable for you. I just lost my home and family. You lost your time, your company, and what you have built for your whole life. It's unfair that he can now live without guilt.»
«He's your father,» Luther pointed out.
He could understand whom the twins had taken from. They also could be heartless with their dad.
«As for your mother,» Luther sighed, «I don't even know whether I'm angry or not. She's been true to herself since day one.»
«Doesn't make it more acceptable.»
Luther chuckled, surprised by Lara's words.
«I'm not saying you should take revenge or not forgive. But do it for you and not them, uncle. And even if you do forgive them, they still made a mistake. It won't change that fact. And I'm not expecting them to repent, honestly.»
She wasn't all that hurt while saying those words. Rather, she looked disappointed. As if finding out an even lower point her parents would reach had confirmed what she already knew. She wasn't even too surprised by the revelation.
«There's also another thing I'd like to talk about,» she said before Luther could relax too much. «It's not about my parents, this time.»
«Yes, sure! What's the matter?»
«You were the one releasing the rumours, weren't you? You guided the press towards me so that they could hear about the twins. You knew it would hurt Gracelyn's image more than mine, and that Nate would have settled things soon enough.»
Luther didn't reply. She was right, he was the culprit, but the reasons and happenings had been different. He hadn't done it on purpose, to begin with. And, secondly, he had no intention of using the twins against Grace. It made no sense and would have meant having Nate Woods as an enemy forever.
Not to mention Melanie.
He sighed, bowing his head.
He could imagine the effects of his wrong move. He should have taken control of everything after sending Gabriel to investigate. Now, it was late for regrets.
«I just wanted you to know you're not allowed to use my kids like this,» Lara said. «And there is no reason to meet after today. You're dangerous for them, and I won't let them be in your reach any longer. They might not feel the effects of what you've done, but I do. And I fear what you could have done next.»
«It was not my intention,» he said.
«You wanted to take my parents by surprise, I get it. I'm not even angry. Just, I won't let you have the chance to do it again.»
Her face hadn't changed much since the beginning of their chat. She was disappointed by her parents and Luther alike, which made him suffer even more. He wasn't like the Clayton couple!
Even though he knew he had made a mistake, he wanted to make up. To earn forgiveness.
But Lara didn't look ready to forgive. She was focused on protecting her offspring like a lioness. Or a she-wolf, Luther thought.
After that chat with Scarlet, when she had avoided saying the name of only one animal, he could guess what happened. They had forbidden words like wolf, pack... Even pup.
To him, everything was clear. But he had no intention of using it as a source of blackmail. Stay connected via empire
«I understand how you feel, but I'd like to tell you my side of the story,» he said. «That's all I ask.»
«I'm listening.»
«I didn't say anything about you, let alone about the twins. I didn't think things would turn out like this. I contacted an old friend of mine, a reporter, and asked him to investigate the financial crimes that led me in prison. But he contacted a paparazzi to act faster, and everything went awry when the latter published everything on a tabloid.»
«So, you didn't tell them about my kids directly. Nor about the pregnancy. The picture with Jaden had been a coincidence?»
«Likely,» he sighed. «They found out about your pregnancy and that you have given birth. They connected the dots and realised there was something going on if your child was exactly like Nate.»
«I know how the press works,» Lara said. «I've been hurt a couple of times already. Gossip doesn't leave a scratch on me anymore.»
«It won't hurt your children either,» Luther said. «They'll grow up, and everyone will forget. Not to mention the interview you and Nate gave. It will be fine!»
«I know. But how can I be sure you won't reveal something dangerous, next time?»
«I won't talk with the press, Lara. Mine was just a mistake.»
«You still can do a lot of damage, and I don't trust you just yet,» she said.
Luther felt an alarm in his mind. There was something, in Lara's words, bugging him. What did she mean, exactly?