The Real Heiress Rules the World

Chapter 372 Not Love Just Bad Acting

Lucas quietly studied the focused curve of her face; then, without warning, he pulled her into his arms. He held her so tightly it felt as if he wanted to press her into his very bones.

“Lucas?” Sloane was startled by his sudden movement, but then she felt the faint tremor running through his body.

“Sloane…” His voice was so hoarse it barely sounded like his own. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

He buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply. “Madam Aubrey… my mother… she has an illegitimate son.”

Sloane’s hand froze in midair. She already knew a little about this–Lena had told her.

“His name is Kelvin; he’s twenty this year.” Lucas gave a bitter laugh. “My father never knew, not until the day he died.”

Sloane’s hand gently stroked his back, feeling the tension locked in his muscles.

“All these years, I’ve used that secret to keep her in line.” He lifted his head, self–mockery glinting in his eyes. “Despicable, isn’t it?”

misting over. “She’s the one

harder. “I always thought her strictness was because she wanted to shape me; I thought she

draw in a deep breath before going on. “I saw

felt the warmth of tears against her neck. This man, the ruthless business titan in everyone else’s eyes, was now

softly, the way one might

Lucas lifted his head, broken light flickering in his eyes. “Every year on Kelvin’s birthday, she goes to spend it with him. But when I was ten, burning with a 104–degree fever, she only

uglier than any tears. “The funniest part is, I actually believed she did love me.. she just didn’t know

heart ached so badly she couldn’t find the words. She only held him tighter, feeling the flood of long–buried pain breaking loose

me today because…” Lucas‘ voice dropped until it was barely audible. “Because I didn’t deliver Kelvin’s photos on time. She thought I

had never seen

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Love Just Bad

his face in her hands and kissed away the