Chapter 160

"Susan Thompson, who gave you permission to cook for Alexander Grant?!" Andrew Lucas kicked open the apartment door, his eyes burning with terrifying rage.

Instinctively, I shielded Daniel behind me and lifted my cold gaze. "Mr. Lucas, you're not welcome here."

He seized my wrist with bone-crushing force. "You shameless woman! Would you stoop so low just to seduce a man?"

"Let go!" I struggled violently, but he slammed me against the wall.

Alexander Grant subtly moved Daniel behind him, his voice icy. "Mr. Lucas, control yourself."

"Control?" Andrew's laugh turned grotesque. "Alexander Grant, who do you think you are? How dare you touch my woman?"

I wrenched my hand free. "Andrew Lucas, we have no relationship anymore!"

"No relationship?" He grabbed my chin. "Susan, you still owe me a debt!"

Daniel suddenly rushed forward, pounding Andrew's leg. "Don't hurt Mommy!"

Andrew looked down at the child he'd once abandoned, something flickering in his eyes. "Bastard, get lost!"

"Andrew Lucas!" I snapped. "You have no right to call him that!"

"Right?" He sneered. "Susan, tell me—whose seed is this? Henry Bartley's? Victor Thompson's? Or..." His venomous gaze shifted to Alexander, "this CEO Grant?"

My entire body trembled with fury. "None of your business!"

"None of my business?" He exploded, yanking my collar open. "If you love seducing men so much, why not repay your debt right now?"

"Stop!" Alexander moved forward but was blocked by Andrew's bodyguards.

I stared at the man I'd once loved. "Andrew Lucas, you disgust me."

"Disgust?" He whispered in my ear, "That's not what you said that night at the hotel."

I raised my hand to slap him, but he caught it effortlessly. "Susan, the more you resist, the more I'll make you suffer."

"Why?" My eyes burned as I demanded, "Why torture me like this?"

His gaze darkened, voice trembling imperceptibly. "Because... I wish it had been you who died."

The words stabbed through my heart like a knife.

I suddenly laughed. "Funny. I wish I'd died too. Then I wouldn't have to see this vile side of you."

Andrew's pupils contracted, his grip loosening slightly.

Alexander seized the moment to pull me behind him. "Mr. Lucas, enough."

Andrew stared at our joined hands, the storm in his eyes intensifying. "Susan, you're truly despicable."

"Yes, I am." I met his gaze calmly. "So do us both a favor and spare me your filthy touch."

He abruptly choked me. "You think clinging to the Grants will save you? Dream on!"

As suffocation set in, I smiled wider. "Andrew... what... are you afraid of?"

He released me like I'd burned him, face twisted.

Rubbing my throat, I coughed. "Afraid I'll love someone else? Or afraid..." I locked eyes with him, "you can't let me go?"

"Ridiculous!" He cut me off sharply. "Susan, women like you don't deserve love!"

"Perfect." I turned to take Daniel's hand. "We don't need your charity."

Andrew stood frozen, watching our retreating backs, knuckles cracking.

"Susan!" He suddenly roared. "You think this is over?"

I didn't look back. "It ended the moment you chose to believe Nicole Capra."

As the door closed, something heavy smashed against the wall.

Alexander handed me a glass of water. "Need help?"

I shook my head, watching Daniel sleep. "Some battles must be fought alone."

Outside, lightning split the sky—just like that stormy night four years ago.

Only this time, I wouldn't shed tears for anyone.