Chapter 61: Not When It Mattered
The applause faded as the final item of the auction was won, and the host returned to the stage, smiling as he raised his microphone once again.
"And now, for the most important part of the evening," he announced warmly, "we invite everyone to participate in our call for donations. You may raise your paddles if you'd like to pledge support, or feel free to scan the QR codes placed on your tables. Every amount goes a long way in changing lives."
Guests around the ballroom started raising their paddles once more, some scanned the QR codes while others quietly approached the donation booths on the side. Lara didn't hesitate. She lifted her paddle and made her contribution. It wasn't a grand gesture, but it was sincere—her way of supporting a cause that clearly mattered to many in the room.
She clapped politely as more guests joined in the donation drive. Shortly after, she leaned toward Reagan. "I'll just go to the restroom," she murmured.
Reagan nodded. "Alright. Take your time."
Lara stepped out of the ballroom, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. The restroom was quiet and pristine, the soft hum of classical music echoing from the ballroom.
After freshening up and washing her hands, she stepped out of the restroom, only to freeze mid-step.
Standing just a few feet away, near the corridor's end, was Lucas.
Her stomach dropped. Of course he followed me.
He was dressed in a dark suit, polished and composed as ever, but his expression betrayed him. His eyes heavy with something unreadable. He straightened when he saw her.
Lara's first instinct was to walk past him—to pretend she hadn't seen him, to act like he was just another stranger. But as she stepped forward, his hand shot out, gently grabbing her wrist.
"Lara—please."
She yanked her hand back like his touch had burned her, and glared at him. "Don't touch me."
Lucas's expression faltered. "I didn't mean—sorry. I just—"
"What now, Lucas? What do you want from me?" she cut him off, her voice sharp. "Please don't make a scene here."
His expression faltered even more. There was no anger in his face, just pain. And it made him looked... vulnerable.
"I'm not here to make a scene," he said quietly. "I just want to talk."
Lara let out a bitter scoff. "Talk? About what, exactly?"
Lucas hesitated. "Is it him?"
She knew who he meant, but her brows furrowed anyway. "What?"
"That man you're with," he said, voice barely above a whisper now. "Is he... is he the one you said you had feelings for?"
Lara stood tall, her jaw clenched. "And if he is?" she asked, voice steady. "What are you going to do about it?"
Lucas's face twisted with hurt. "Do you..." he swallowed hard, "Do you really have feelings for him?"
She didn't flinch and met his eyes. "Yes," she said, unwavering. "I do."
She saw the blow land in his eyes, saw the way he staggered silently beneath the weight of her words. But she didn't let herself soften. Not this time.
"So please, Lucas," she continued, voice steady. "Stop holding on to me. I don't appreciate you hovering around me. The gifts. The food. Everything. It's not sweet. It's not romantic. It just... makes me feel worse."
Lucas's throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, his silence louder than any words.
"You can act like a proper husband now, but you didn't when it mattered," she said, each word like a blade, quiet but sharp. "You had your chance, but you threw it away. Now it's too late."
Lucas didn't speak. He just stared at her like the ground had been ripped from under him.
Lara turned her gaze away. "Stop making things harder than they already are. Because no matter what you say or do..."
She met his eyes one last time.
"I'm not going back to you."
And with that, she turned her back on him, her steps deliberate, each one taking her farther from the man who once had her heart.
But just as she reached the end of the hallway, his voice broke behind her.
"I love you, Lara..."
Her steps faltered.
"I'm sorry," Lucas choked out, his voice fragile and trembling, "I'm so sorry it took me this long..."
Lara bit down on her lower lip, hard. She didn't turn around. She didn't need to see him to know—he was crying.
And it didn't change a thing.
She kept walking, her heart heavy but her steps steady, leaving him behind.
She was just a few steps away from her table when a hand suddenly grabbed her wrist again.
Her body tensed instinctively.
Did Lucas followed her?
Her jaw clenched as she whirled around, ready to lash out—
But it wasn't Lucas.
It was Levi.
"Kuya?" she breathed.
Her brother stood before her, brows slightly furrowed, eyes sharp and unreadable.
She blinked, momentarily stunned. "What are you doing here?"
"We need to talk," Levi said calmly, not letting go of her wrist. "Come with me for a second."
There was something serious in his tone that made her stomach twist. He wasn't angry, but he wasn't exactly casual either.
Without waiting for her response, Levi gently guided her to a quiet corner away from the crowd. Lara's heart pounded.
Did he see her with Lucas earlier? Or... is this about Reagan? Did he see her with him?
Once they were out of sight, Levi turned to face her.
"What are you doing here, Lara?" he asked, his voice low. "And more importantly... why are you with Reagan Sanford?"
Lara stiffened slightly. So it was about Reagan. He had seen her with him.
"How do you even know Reagan?" she asked, trying to play it cool.
Levi raised an eyebrow. "Who doesn't? He's one of the most talked-about CEOs in the business world. Man owns one of the biggest tech empires in US. The better question is—why are you with him tonight?"
Lara sighed, realizing she couldn't avoid the conversation.
"He invited me," she said simply. "As his date."
Levi's eyebrows shot up. "Date? Why would he invite you? Doesn't he know you're married?"
She hesitated.
She wasn't ready to tell her family about the annulment yet, not until everything was settled. But this was Levi. She couldn't lie to him. He'd see right through her, and he would dig for the truth if she didn't say it outright.
She glanced around, making sure no one was within earshot, then she leaned in slightly towards Levi.
"We're... getting annulled," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Lucas and I... we've already agreed to end the marriage."
Levi stared at her for a moment, stunned. "What? Since when?"
"A few weeks ago," she admitted softly. "We've already started the process."
"But I thought you were still trying to make it work?" he asked, his brows furrowed, trying to make sense of it.
Lara's lips parted, but no words came out at first.
Then, Levi's expression darkened. "Did he hurt you?" His voice dropped, hard with protectiveness. "Did that bastard lay a hand on you? Lara, you need to tell me—did he ever hit you?"
"No," she said quickly, shaking her head. "No, Kuya. He didn't. Lucas never laid a hand on me."
"Then why?" Levi's voice cracked slightly. "Why are you doing this now? I remember how you clung to that marriage like your life depended on it. What made you change your mind so suddenly?"
Lara paused, eyes cast downward. For a moment, emotion swelled in her chest. But she steadied herself.
"I just... I reached my limit," she admitted. "I gave everything I had, Kuya. I tried to love him enough for the both of us. But in the end... it wasn't enough. I was never enough for him. And I finally realized—" she paused, her voice soft but resolute. "—it's time to let go. It's time I start choosing myself. To start finding my own happiness."
Levi's features softened. The anger drained from his eyes, replaced by a quiet sadness and pride.
He stepped forward and pulled her into a tight, protective hug.
"You did good, Lara," he murmured. "I'm so damn proud of you. I know it's not easy to walk away from something you poured your heart into. But you're brave. So much braver than you think. And that's make me so proud of you."
She closed her eyes briefly and hugged him back, the comfort of her older brother grounding her.
"Thank you, Kuya," she murmured.