Chapter 8: Just The Sweetest
Lara's childhood home came into view as Lucas drove past the gates, pulling up in front of the main house.
The sight of it sent a familiar warmth through her chest, but it was quickly overshadowed by the nerves twisting in her stomach. She wasn't sure what to expect from this visit. Would her parents notice the cracks in their marriage? Would her father pick on Lucas like he always did?
She exhaled slowly, willing herself to stay calm.
Lucas was the first to step out of the car. She reached for the door handle to follow, but before she could, Lucas appeared beside her and pulled the door open, his hand extended toward her.
She blinked in surprise, her gaze meeting Lucas'.
It was such an uncharacteristic gesture that it caught her off guard. But then, realization hit. Of course. They were at her parents' house. This was part of the act.
Swallowing her emotions, she took his hand, stepping out of the car. His palm was warm, comfortingly so. A part of her wanted to hold on longer, to pretend for just a moment that this was real. But Lucas let go almost instantly, instead he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm, keeping up their perfect facade of a happy couple.
She told herself it was enough.
As they stepped inside, the scent of home-cooked meals filled the air. The house hadn't changed—same warm, inviting ambiance, the faint floral scent her mother always loved, and the sound of a television playing in the background.
"Lara, sweetheart!"
Her mother's excited voice pulled her from her thoughts. In a heartbeat, her mother, Emilia, rushed toward her, enveloping her in a warm embrace.
"I missed you, darling. You don't visit enough," her mother said, pulling away to cup her face.
"I know, Mom. I'm sorry."
As soon as her mother released her, she turned to Lucas, her expression filled with warmth.
"And my handsome son-in-law," Emilia beamed before pulling Lucas into an embrace as well.
Lucas visibly stiffened, clearly unprepared for the gesture. Lara almost laughed at the rare sight. But, he quickly composed himself, managing a small, polite smile.
"Thank you for having me," Lucas said.
"Oh, come now, you don't have to be so formal," Emilia scolded playfully, waving her hand. "You're family."
Lucas gave a curt nod. "Of course… Mom."
Lara's father, Manuel, who was seated on the couch with a newspaper in hand, finally spoke. "Hmph. Took you long enough to visit."
Lara approached him, leaning down to kiss his cheek. "Hi, Dad, I missed you. Sorry, we've been busy."
Manuel's features softened as he looked at her. "You've lost weight," he commented. "Are you eating properly?"
Lara chuckled. "I am, Dad."
His gaze then moved to Lucas, who was now standing beside her. For a long moment, he simply stared, eyes sharp and assessing.
Lucas, ever composed, nodded respectfully. "Sir."
Manuel snorted. "Sir? What am I, your boss?"
"Dad," Lara scolded gently.
Her father raised brow. "What?"
"Manuel!" her mother scolded, hands on her hips. "Honestly, could you be any ruder? Our daughter and son-in-law barely visit, and you can't even say a proper hello?"
Her father snorted. "If he's that eager to hear it, fine. Hello, son-in-law."
Lucas only gave a polite nod in response.
Emilia sighed dramatically. "Ignore him, dear," she told Lucas. "You know how he is. He thinks being grumpy is a personality trait."
"I am not grumpy," Manuel muttered, flipping a page of his newspaper.
Lucas remained composed, his expression unreadable. Lara sighed inwardly.
"Anyway," her mother huffed, linking arms with Lucas. "Come, I've prepared lunch. I hope you two will stay for dinner as well."
Lara smiled. "I can stay, but Lucas has to leave after an hour." she said carefully.
Emilia's face fell. "Oh." She turned to Lucas. "Really? But it's the weekend."
Lucas reached out and gently held her mother's hand. "I'm sorry, Mom. I'd love to stay, but unfortunately, I have a business meeting later." His voice was smooth, apologetic. "I promise I'll stay longer next time."
Lara nearly scoffed. That was a lie. There wouldn't be a next time.
Emilia sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. Business calls. But I'm holding you to that promise."
Lara said nothing. She knew better than to hope for more.
They moved to the dining area, settling at the table. Lara instinctively plated some food for Lucas, the action so natural she didn't even realize she was doing it until her mother cooed.
"Oh, look at you, Lara. Such a devoted wife," Emilia gushed. "Lara always takes such good care of you, doesn't she, Lucas?"
Lucas, who had been silently observing her, glanced at her mother. "She does," he said, his tone smooth. "She always does."
Lara momentarily stiffened.
"Oh. You two are just the sweetest." Emilia cooed, hands clasped together.
Manuel snorted. "Sweet? Hah. That man barely opens his mouth."
Lara shot her father a look while Lucas remained unfazed, quietly thanking her before eating.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Emilia said pointedly. "Lucas is the perfect son-in-law. Handsome, successful, and devoted."
Manuel let out a scoff. "Devoted? If he were truly devoted, he'd spend more time here instead of always being 'too busy' with work. He barely spend time with her as it is."
Lara's stomach tensed. "Dad—"
"Manuel," her mother warned.
"What? I'm just saying. A husband should be home for his wife, not always out on business."
Lara clenched her fists under the table.
Lucas, however, remained calm. "You're right, Dad," he said, cutting his steak. "I should try to be home more."
Lara nearly dropped her fork. She turned to Lucas, but his expression remained unreadable. Was he… actually agreeing with her father?
Manuel, clearly not expecting that response, grunted before returning to his food, while Emilia smiled, pleased.
They continued eating, with her mother filling the silence with small talk. "I'm really happy you two visited. The house has been too quiet lately. Your brother is rarely home with his busy schedule. I miss having life in this house."
Lara smiled, but before she could respond, her mother's next words made her stomach drop.
"It would be nice to have little feet running around again." she mused.
Lara almost choked on her food.
She knew it. She knew her mother wouldn't let this visit pass without bringing up this topic.
She stole a glance at Lucas and found that he, too, seemed slightly taken aback.
Emilia raised a brow, feigning innocence. "What? I'm just saying." Then, she smiled, eyes glinting mischievously. "But honestly, I'd love it if it became reality. When are you two planning to have children?"
The room fell into silence.
Lara stiffened. Lucas, too, went completely still. For the first time since arriving, he looked genuinely caught off guard, as if unsure how to respond.
Lara quickly tried to intervene. "Mom, we've already talked about—"
"I know, dear." Emilia interrupted. "But I'd like to hear Lucas' opinion." she pressed, turning to Lucas expectantly.
Lara panicked internally. What was he supposed to say?
Lara opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, Lucas reached for her hand on the table.
Lara froze.
Lucas turned to her, his expression softer than she had ever seen it. His fingers laced through hers, and he turned to Emilia with a small, affectionate smile.
"I'm ready to have kids anytime," he said smoothly.
Lara's breath hitched.
Lucas' thumb gently brushed against her skin, his grip firm yet gentle. "But I don't want to pressure Lara. I want her to be ready first. And besides…" He turned his gaze back to her, his lips curling into a small, knowing smile. "I'm not ready to share her attention with anyone yet."
Emilia nearly melted. "Oh, Lucas, that's so sweet."
Manuel scoffed. "Hmph. Sounds like an excuse to me."
Lara, on the other hand, was completely speechless.
Her heart pounded as she stared at Lucas, searching his face for any hint of insincerity. But his expression was unreadable. His words echoed in her head, each one hitting her like a carefully aimed arrow.
She knew it was an act.
She knew this was just for show.
And yet, her heart betrayed her, clinging onto the lie like a fool.
She tore her gaze away, feeling warmth creep up her cheeks. She focused on her plate, trying to regain her composure.
Lucas still hadn't let go of her hand.
Emilia looked delighted. "Well, take your time, then. But don't make me wait too long!" She laughed before moving on to another topic.
As soon as the attention shifted elsewhere, Lucas released her hand and continued eating as if nothing had happened.
But Lara felt it.
Even after the warmth of his touch disappeared, its ghost remained, lingering in her skin, in her chest—reminding her that, despite everything, her heart still foolishly longed for something that was never real to begin with.
And that terrified her the most.