Chapter 33: Reset
TERESA’S P.O.V.
As soon as the taxi dropped me off, I felt like I was moving through a haze. My heart felt like it was splintering with every step, and by the time I got inside my apartment, I couldn’t hold it together anymore. The second I shut the door, I collapsed onto the floor, letting the sobs break out of me.
Eventually, I managed to pull myself up and stumble into my bedroom, curling up on the bed. My face was buried in my hands as I struggled to breathe through the heartache. My mind kept circling back to him, to Lucian—the way he’d smiled, the way he’d looked at me, the way I had let myself believe in him. A fresh wave of tears blurred my vision as I fumbled for my phone, desperate for someone to anchor me. My fingers shook as I dialed Luke’s number, my brother, my best friend, my rock.
"Teresa?" His voice was warm and calm, but the moment he heard my trembling breaths, I could hear his concern sharpen. "Teresa, what’s wrong?"
"Can you... can you come over? Am back at my apartment." I managed to choke out, my voice splintering with emotion.
He didn’t hesitate. "I’m on my way."
******
The moment he arrived, I broke down, letting the flood of emotions I’d been holding back rush out. I told him everything, every excruciating detail. How I’d let myself fall for Lucian’s warmth, his rare smiles, the way he seemed to care about my well-being... how I’d thought he wanted me. I could barely look at Luke, clutching his sleeve as I whispered through my tears, "He made me believe he cared, Luke. He was so kind... so warm, so protective. I thought..." My voice cracked, and I struggled to hold back another wave of tears. "I thought he actually wanted me. But all he wanted was... my body. And once he had it, he just... threw me away. Like I was yesterday’s trash."
Luke’s expression darkened anger and hurt flashed across his face as he tightened his grip on my hand. He listened in silence, his jaw clenched, and I could feel his heart breaking with mine. I kept going, even as shame crept into my words, my voice barely more than a whisper. "And it wasn’t just Lucian. It was Dad. Everything began with him and the deal he made with Lucian. All the problems with your in-laws, the business... it was all Dad. He orchestrated everything."
Luke’s eyes widened, his face etched with shock. "What are you talking about?" he whispered, disbelief mingling with a sense of betrayal.
I took a shaky breath, forcing myself to meet his gaze. "Dad threatened to ruin you... to tear your life apart if I didn’t go to Lucian in Jennifer’s place as a maid for five months. He didn’t care about what it would do to me, he only cared about what he could gain. I... I did it to protect you, Luke. You have done so much for me. I thought I could repay your kindness even a little bit. I thought I could keep you and your family safe."