Chapter 160

I couldn't tell if Lucas was upset or not.

The only thing I felt was an eagerness to pour out my concerns and frustrations and now was finally my chance.

"Lucas, I've been trying to get in touch with you all week and I've gotten hardly any response. You've been acting strangely and I needed to come talk to you about it in person," I explained.

Lucas's anxiety was evident as he glanced at me and then back at the entrance to the elevators where his father might appear at any moment.

I understood that there were potential dangers surrounding us, and coming here was probably not the wisest idea, but I didn't care anymore.

"Shana, we can't talk here," Lucas's blue eyes pleaded with mine. "I just left a meeting with my father, and I need to go back. We'll talk later, I promise. Don't worry, I'll be able to explain."

I nodded in agreement. Seeing the uncomfortableness on Lucas's face made me feel sympathetic.

That meant Kendrick knew he had left to go attend to something. He needed to get back to that meeting as fast as he could before Kendrick began to question things.

However, the nagging doubts that had been bothering me since running into Edwin resurfaced, and I couldn't help but question Lucas's sudden change in behavior.

Was there any truth to Edwin's words?

As I opened my mouth to ask him one last question, I saw a figure approaching from down the hall.

My blood chilled as I saw a tall and imposing form emerge.

Kendrick Busch, exuded an air of authority as he walked toward us. Everyone who had been rushing around earlier cleared their paths for him as if he were untouchable.

His stern expression gave nothing away, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me.

This was bad... very bad.

Kendrick thought Lucas and I were over, and here I stood. Things were not looking good for us.

I had no idea what would happen next.

As Kendrick approached, his eyes bore into mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.

I could feel his power and influence in every step he took.

"Father," Lucas said, his eyes were wide with shock, but his voice was firm. "I was just about to come back into the meeting."

"Why is she here?" Kendrick asked his son, disregarding me completely.

It was as if I wasn't even standing there. In fact, he didn't even look at me once.

"Hey, there. Remember me? You can speak to me directly," I interjected, my voice tinged with frustration. "I'm right here, and I have a voice of my own."

Kendrick's gaze shifted, and for a moment, I thought he would address me directly, but instead, his piercing eyes locked onto Lucas.

"I thought I made it clear, Lucas," Kendrick began, his tone even and hinting at annoyance. "If she wants her debts paid, you are to stay away from her at all times."

I couldn't stand the way he talked about me as if I were an object and not a person. Like I was a possession that could be manipulated.

I also hated the hold he had over me and my family. My debt. Lucas.

He held so much power and authority and it wasn't fair that things had shifted back into his favor.

It filled me with anger, and I struggled to control my rising emotions.

"Dad." Lucas tried to ease some of the tension by stepping in between us. A strained smile took over his face. "I'll handle this. We can discuss it later if you'd like. Let's not make a scene here. We need to get back to work."

The words "I'll handle this" rang in my ears, and I felt a flush of anger.

Lucas was back to trying to please his father and Edwin's earlier words flooded through my brain. Was this a sign of Lucas taking his father's side over mine?

I wasn't some problem that needed solving. I was a person with feelings, desires, and rights. I deserved to be treated with some dignity and respect, not like this. Not like I had no voice or control.

"Very well, Lucas." Kendrick raised an eyebrow, still ignoring me as if I were insignificant. "Handle it as you see fit."

His calm tone only deepened my irritation. He referred to me as an "it" and it didn't sit well with me.

I shot a hard, pointed look at Lucas, my eyes practically screaming my frustration. I wanted to say something, but I also didn't want to make things worse for him.

Lucas should be the one to stand up to his father for me.

But Lucas did no such thing as he gestured for me to follow him.

We made our exit from the building and I unlocked my car, allowing Lucas to slide into the passenger seat. Once we were inside, the tension in the car grew more than ever before.

"Why did you let him speak to me like that? Why did you let him treat me as if I'm some pawn in his games?" I burst out, my voice trembling. "That was so embarrassing Lucas. You just showed him that I mean nothing to you! That you'd allow me to be treated like that!"

Lucas sighed, his own frustration apparent. "You don't think that was embarrassing for me?"

Lucas's words stung and I had to suck in a sharp breath. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Shana, it's complicated," Lucas said. "You know how powerful he is, and I don't want to make things worse than they already are. It's best if he thinks I'm not as attached to you as I am. We'll talk about it when we're alone."

"When will we ever be alone?" The frustration boiled within me, and I couldn't simply let it slide. "Lucas, I'm not a child. I deserve respect. I'm not just your girlfriend. I have my own life and choices. That was not okay."

"Fuck, Shana. I'm trying, okay?" He reached out, his fingers gently brushing against my cheek, his touch soft and comforting. "I know how messed up this all is and I'm sorry."

I could feel Lucas's sincerity and it made me feel bad for him. He had no escape from any of this.

"But you don't understand the extent of his control," Lucas continued. "I'm only trying to protect you. I'm doing this all for you. Can't you see that? It won't last forever... just a few more weeks."

Tears welled up in my eyes and I felt how overwhelming this situation was. "I know you are, but I can't stand feeling so helpless. I don't want to be manipulated or controlled. I want to talk to you and see you. I want things to be normal again."

The tears continued to build and suddenly, I was full-on sobbing. All of my emotions were getting tangled together and I wasn't able to think clearly anymore.

Lucas was trying to say something, presumably to calm me down, but I couldn't hear him.

My body began to shake, and it felt like I was losing control of everything.