The warmth of the moment didn't last.
The next morning, the mansion buzzed with activity.
Maids hurried through the hallways, arranging fresh flowers and polishing every surface until it gleamed.
Lukas watched one of them rush past.
"What's going on?"
The butler adjusted his gloves.
"Miss Rachel has an important visitor."
Before Lukas could ask another question, the front doors opened.
A sleek black luxury car rolled into the driveway.
Two bodyguards stepped out first.
Then a tall man in a tailored charcoal suit emerged.
He looked to be in his early thirties, confident and composed, with the kind of smile that never quite reached his eyes.
The moment Rachel saw him, the color drained from her face.
"You came."
"I told you I'd be back."
His gaze shifted to Lukas.
"So..."
"This is your husband."
Lukas stepped forward.
"And you are?"
The man extended his hand.
"Damien Carter."
Lukas shook it.
The grip was firm.
Too firm.
Almost like a challenge.
"I've heard a lot about you," Damien said with a polite smile.
"Funny," Lukas replied.
"I've heard nothing about you."
For a brief second, Damien's smile faltered.
Rachel quickly stepped between them.
"Damien, this isn't the time."
"It never is with you."
His voice remained calm, but there was bitterness underneath.
He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.
"I came to return something."
Rachel stared at it without moving.
"I don't want it."
"You should."
"It belongs to you."
"No."
Damien's expression darkened.
"It belongs to the woman who promised she'd marry me."
Silence.
Lukas felt his chest tighten.
Marry him?
He turned to Rachel.
She never mentioned this.
Rachel closed her eyes.
"That promise ended six years ago."
"No."
Damien took a step closer.
"It ended the day you signed a marriage contract with a complete stranger."
He glanced at Lukas.
"So tell me..."
"Does your husband know the truth?"
Lukas frowned.
"What truth?"
Damien smiled.
"The reason Rachel chose you."
Rachel's voice cut through the room.
"That's enough."
But Damien only laughed.
"Oh, Rachel..."
"You think secrets stay buried forever?"
He placed the velvet box on the table.
Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.
The mansion doors closed behind him.
The silence he left behind was deafening.
Lukas slowly turned to Rachel.
"You were engaged?"
Rachel didn't answer.
She simply stared at the velvet box...
...as tears quietly filled her eyes.