Revenge amnesia upgraded to his brother novel Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Lucien’s POV

+8 Pearls.

“Lucien… I need to ask you something.” Norah’s voice was calm on the phone. A bit too calm, that it put me on edge. “Last Tuesday night… were you really in meetings the whole time?”

My mind raced. Katarina. That poisonous smile. Her words.

Damn it. She went to Norah.

I remembered her saying, “If Norah really loves you, she’ll believe you no matter what she hears.”

I decided to gamble. Bet on Norah’s love. Bet that Katarina’s games wouldn’t work.

“Yeah,” I said. “Important meeting. Ran late. Why? Did you need me?”

Silence.

A long, heavy silence.

Then–the call died.

She’d hung up. Just like that.

I threw my phone onto the desk. What the hell did I just do? I lied to her.

But what was I supposed to say? That I was with Katarina? That my mother’s case is still open and Katarina’s my only lead? Would Norah believe that? Or would she think it’s just an excuse- that there’s something going on with Katarina?

I pulled at my tie and dropped into my chair.

This felt wrong. Norah’s never this calm. When she’s mad, she shouts. She fights. This sile

It was new. Unless she already knew. Unless Katarina told her more.

dub

I stood up fast, grabbed my keys, and ran. The elevator was too slow, so I took the stairs, two at a time, jumped in my car, and sped off.

I called Katarina. Once. Twice. Three times.

She finally picked up. “Lucien? Miss me already?” She sounded smug.

“You saw Norah.”

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Chapter 45

“Oh, you mean when I showed her our pictures from the other night?” She laughed.

“I told you to stay away from her.”

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Finished

Katarina’s voice sharpened. “Or what? You think I care? You think I’ll just watch you play house with that replacement?”

“She’s not a replacement!”

She laughed again–cold and sharp. “Look at you. The great Lucien, losing his cool over a woman. This is rich.”

“What did you tell her?”

“The truth,” she said, sweetly. “That you weren’t in a meeting. You were with me. At the café.”

I clenched my jaw. “And?”

“She left. Calm as anything. Oh–and she thanked me. For being honest.”

My hands tightened on the wheel.

“You should’ve seen her face, Lucien. So calm. Not like someone in love.”

I slammed the gas. The car shot past 120.

An ambulance flew by in the other lane, but I barely noticed. It didn’t matter.

I had to get to Norah. Explain everything.

At Katarina’s café, she was by the window, waiting.

“Well, look at you. I thought you’d run to your sweetheart first.”

I grabbed her wrist. “You’re coming with me. You’re telling Norah everything.”

She pulled free, her demeanor calm. “Everything? Like how you’re just using me for your investigation? You think she’ll believe that?”

“I don’t care. You’re telling her.”

“No.” She smiled. “Even if I did, it doesn’t change that you were with me. That’s a fact.”

“Because

you said you had a lead on my mother’s case!”

“Prove it.” She leaned in. “Why haven’t you told Norah about your mother, Lucien? Why lie?”

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Chapter 45

I had no answer. I didn’t want Norah involved. I thought I could protect her.

“See? You can’t even answer.” She stood. “Fact is, Norah doesn’t love you.”

I turned to go.

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* Finished

“Oh, and Lucien?” she added, pretending to be sweet. “Norah had an accident. Half an hour ago. The ambulance took her.”

I froze. “What?”

“Car accident. Right outside. Looked bad. You didn’t see the ambulance on your way in?”

My mind went blank.

That ambulance.

No.

I ran. Drove to the hospital. Nothing else mattered. Just Norah.

The hospital hall felt endless. I pushed her door open-

-and

my world shattered.

Damian was holding her.

“Get away from her!” I yelled, pulling him off and shoving him back.

He hit the wall hard. “Ah–my head…!”

“Doctor! Help!” Norah screamed.

The medics rushed in. “Sir, calm down! The patient can’t handle this!”

I stopped. Looked at Norah. Her face was pale. Her eyes were full of disappointment and anger.

“Norah…” Damian reached for her. “Don’t leave… please. Take me home. Take care of me, or I won’t cooperate.”

I waited. Prayed she’d say no.

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