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?”

her eyes misting over.

“I always thought her strictness was because she wanted to shape me; I thought she liked Mason more because he was more considerate; I thought,

on. “I saw Kelvin at Stonebridge High. He was so sunny, so carefree… and she sheltered him so

her neck. This man, the ruthless business titan in everyone else’s eyes, was

way one might soothe

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 sent

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

tighter, feeling the flood of long–buried pain breaking loose inside him;

audible. “Because I didn’t

realized she had never seen him

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Not Love Just Bad

face in her hands and