Boyfriend Let His Side Chick Ruin My Painting, Now He Regrets. novel Chapter 8

He stood there, staring at me and Alexander, a bouquet of blue roses slipping from his hands. 

"Chloe," his voice shook. "You…" 

I took my bag from Alexander and said, "You should head back. Thanks for tonight." 

Alexander looked between me and Lucas, then suddenly grinned. 

"No need for thanks between us." 

Lucas turned pale. 

I sighed. "Come inside." 

I couldn't even remember the last time Lucas and I were alone in a room together. 

But tonight, he wouldn't stop talking. 

"Chloe, I messed up."

"After you left, Victoria took your ruined painting and started spreading lies about your skills online."

"She was trying to destroy your reputation."

"I stopped her-I forced her to clear things up and delete everything." 

"I tried to restore the painting. It's not perfect, but at least I have something left of you." 

"I even bought that restaurant you always wanted to try."

"Now we can go whenever you want." 

"I got you custom jewelry, designer bags-they're all in your old room."

"When are you coming home?" 

That wasn't even the half of it. 

After realizing Victoria was the one who destroyed my last painting and nearly ruined my career, Lucas had snapped.

He not only fired her but made her pay back every penny he'd spent on her. 

And he didn't stop there. 

He forced her to kneel outside my room and said she couldn't get up until I came back. 

She wasn't allowed proper meals, just half-cooked rice.

After weeks of this, her legs gave out. Her stomach, too. 

Lucas finally got sick of her and threw her into a psych ward. 

Things only got worse for Victoria after that.

People said she was barely surviving on liquid food. And Lucas had personally arranged for her "care." 

Someone saw her before she disappeared completely-gaunt, lifeless, barely clinging to existence. 

No one heard from her again. 

After that, Lucas started buying things. 

That restaurant I'd once mentioned.

Piles of blue roses. Every limited-edition bag and necklace. 

But… 

His eyes reddened.

He reached out, then stopped midair, hand trembling, before pulling back. 

"You wanted me to take care of you while you indulged in someone else's attention." 

"Lucas, you don't love me."

"You just love being loved." 

I stood up and opened the door.

"Unfortunately, I don't share that fetish." 

Outside, Alexander was back.

He smiled when he saw me.

"Chloe, I was worried about you." 

Lucas sat there in silence for a long time. Then, finally, he looked at me. 

"Can we still be friends?" 

I almost said no. 

But then my eyes fell on the scattered blue petals by the door. 

Lucas was leaving soon. After this, we'd never see each other again. 

"Sure," I said. "Just remember what being friends means." 

Lucas walked away.