Page 150 of Love Unspoken

"Just remember that Lucas is a product of his circumstances, as are you. He's only thirty years old and has a lot of growing up to do, just like you."

Before I could fully process what I was hearing and respond, the room quieted as the evening's host, the Chancellor of the College of Charleston, stepped up to the podium, announcing how much money had been raised and how grateful she was to LPC and the Covington family; especially Rena.

The air buzzed with congratulatory murmurs, but all I could focus on was Lucas and Kath, standing side by side like a perfectly matched pair.

The Chancellor called Lucas to the stage, offering him the microphone to say a few words about LPC and to thank him and all the attendees for their generosity. I watched in horror as Kath stepped forward with Lucas, slipping her hand into his as they faced the crowd together.

He held her hand until he got in front of the microphone and then let it go, giving her a soft and intimate smile. My heart began to pound so hard that I thought it would leap out of my chest.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Lucas's voice carried through the room with authority and his consummate confidence, "thank you all for being here tonight to support this incredible cause. Your contributions make a real difference in preserving the history and culture of the College of Charleston."

Lucas moved a little, and Kath leaned over to the microphone. "As CFO of LPC, I'm thrilled to be here with Lucas, our CEO. We've been partners at work and in our lives, and I'm so grateful to have him by my side professionally and personally."

The words left me reeling. I struggled to reconcile the Lucas who had made love to me, swearing he wasn't getting back with Kath, with the man now letting her announce their relationship in front of the entire city.

"That little witch," Rena muttered angrily.

I felt sick! The room began to spin around me as the distant and hollow applause echoed in my ears. Kath beamed beside Lucas, leaning in to kiss his cheek, and the sight of it shattered the fragile hope I'd been clinging to.

How could he do this? How could he stand there, after everything he'd said to me, and act as if Kath was the one he wanted by his side? I wanted to run, to escape the suffocating pressure of the room, but my feet were rooted to the spot, my heart breaking all over again.

As the applause died down, Lucas stepped off the stage, and our eyes met across the room. I saw regret in his expression—but it didn't matter anymore. The damage was done. Whatever connection we'd once had, whatever chance I thought we might have had to rebuild it, was gone.

Jax leaned over. "This is all Kath and not Lucas."

I shook my head, unable to find the words to explain the devastation that was ripping through me. The humiliation, the betrayal—it was all too much. "I need to get out of here," I whispered, my voice trembling.

Rena grabbed my hand. "Listen to Jax. This is Kath's doing. She's trying to mess with you and Lucas; don't let her."

I clenched my jaw. "Kath can do whatever she wants to. All Lucas needed to do was stop her or make clear that their relationship was strictly professional, which he didn't do."

Rena didn't say anything for a long moment and then let out a breath. "You're right. Lucas has some more growing up to do and hopefully then he'll stop worrying about what people think or say, and focus on the people he loves."

I was surprised to have Rena take my side. "I can't stay here."

"Yes, you can. Show that bitch that this doesn't bother you," Jax stated.

Gemma leaned forward. "Amara?"

"Son of a bitch," Basil groaned. "This guy has the worst luck. Just as he's fixing it, his ex is…Amara, don't give that woman the pleasure of hurting you and Lucas."

"I'm not." I smiled to pretending that I was okay even though I wasn't. Damn, Lucas! Rena was right, her grandson needed to grow the hell up. "I don't have an issue with Kath—it's Lucas I'm upset with. Actually, I don't have a problem with either of them anymore, because I'm done."

I was, too. This was way too much drama for anyone. No matter how much I loved Lucas, this bullshit was not worth it.

"Jax, take her home, son," Rena ordered. "I think it's time Lucas got his ass kicked and hard."

"Let's go," Jax said, his voice firm and protective. He guided me through the crowd, his arm around my shoulders.

As we stepped out into the cool night air, I felt a tear slip down my cheek. It wasn't just the end of whatever Lucas and I had left—it was the end of any hope I'd had for my life in Charleston. This city, with all its charm and history, had become a place of unbearable pain, and I knew, deep in my heart, that I couldn't stay here any longer. If I stayed, this nonsense would keep happening. I'd let Lucas into my bed. He'd let Kath humiliate me or his mother or Shelby. He'd never have the balls to be the man I needed him to be.

I turned to Jax as he drove us home, my voice not quavering any longer because I had made a decision—one that was to save myself. "I'm leaving Charleston. I'm going back to New York."

"Darlin', you just bought your place. You love⁠—"

"It's too much, Jax, all of it. I'll sell the cottage. I'll stay with Dad for a while. Look for a job. If I stay in Charleston, this is going to keep happening. Enough is enough."

He looked at me with understanding, put his hand on mine, and squeezed. "If that's what you need to do, do it. But do not make any hasty decisions."