After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage By Cassila K

Chapter 101

Elijah never saw the punch coming. Lucas's fist connected with his jaw, sending him sprawling across the rooftop.

For once, Lucas's carefully cultivated control shattered completely. Each blow landed with brutal precision. If his security team hadn't finally intervened, Elijah might not have made it off that roof alive.

Lucas ignored his bloodied knuckles, glaring down at the man gasping at his feet.

"What kind of hatred makes you keep trying to destroy her life?" he demanded.

"Do you have any idea how many people watched her birthday tonight? How many saw your little drone show? What do you think the headlines will say about her tomorrow?"

"Are you only happy when she's humiliated in public?"

"No, I wasn't trying to—" Elijah choked out, blood trickling from his mouth as he struggled to sit up.

Lucas shut him up with a swift kick that sent him back to the ground.

"Wasn't trying what? Listen carefully-if Gloria didn't still have some misplaced sympathy for you, you would've disappeared the day you landed in London."

Elijah lay there, unable to rise again.

Lucas stood over him, his voice dropping to something dangerous. "Something else you should know today wasn't just her birthday. It's also the day Gloria found out she's pregnant."

The words hit Elijah like electricity. His mind went blank as he stared up in shock. "What did you just say?"

Finding some hidden reserve of strength, Elijah staggered to his feet, lunging toward Lucas.

"You son of a bitch! She's way too young! How could you do this to her?"

his security team immediately slammed Elijah back onto the

love each other and want this child together. That's how

discussing crossing lines-how about throwing a woman with cold sensitivity

to protect her, and you almost

drain of

is pregnant. Your little stunt tonight stressed her out and put her at risk. If you have any humanity left, you'll

Elijah's response. He tossed his torn jacket aside and

of the fight remained, he slipped quietly into their

resting on her stomach, softened something in him instantly.

morning, she found

open, he kissed

its grip.

still not showing, they fast-tracked their wedding plans. Despite the compressed timeline, they refused to

wedding photos together. Gloria couldn't help smiling at the thought that their

Though deliberately intimate, the ceremony spared

a centuries-old cathedral Gloria had always loved. The space was filled with their favorite flowers. Her dress, secretly commissioned by Lucas months before, fit perfectly despite her changing figure. Even the guest favors reflected their

for the pregnant bride, they invited only those who truly mattered

to the ring exchange, Gloria and Lucas remained in their own world, focused entirely

husband and wife, they kissed like they had all the time in the world, barely noticing the applause

existed beyond

Elijah didn't hear about it until photos appeared

drastic flared briefly, but reality quickly

he heard Gloria's voice from

clean break, no contact-that's the healthiest

he couldn't make himself let

continued buying gifts she would never receive, clinging