Chapter 174

Lucas POV

"I'm sorry?" My father asked as his eyes hardened.

I decided it was finally time to come clean with my father. I couldn't keep living my life in a web of lies. It was taking a toll on me, and I couldn't handle the pressure anymore.

The realization that I've been lying to every single person in my life hit me like a ton of bricks. All it's done is confuse me and hurt people, and I knew I was about to hurt someone else by revealing this.

I glanced up at my father, trying to gain the courage to speak the truth.

"It was all a ploy," I admitted, my voice thick with certainty. "Everything."

My father faltered, confused by my confession. He raised an eyebrow, looking genuinely surprised for the first time in a long time. "A ploy? What are you talking about?"

Knowing that there was no reversing the damage I had done or the consequences to my own actions, I continued, "Yes. A ploy. I pretended to want to get engaged to Victoria again to help Shana with her debt."

My father's face was blank as he processed what I was saying.

"Now that you've paid off her debt," I said. "I don't need you anymore."

Right as the words came out of my mouth, my father's face darkened and I could see the storm brewing within them. "You don't need me anymore?"

"That's right." I forced myself to keep my chin held high. "I want to move back to Grandma Jo's. I don't want to be involved in any of this anymore. I don't want to be apart of the business. I want to play hockey. I want to see Shana. I don't want someone telling me what to, or not to do."

Suddenly, my father began to laugh. It was deep and hollow, and more terrifying than joyful. "You're stupider than I thought!"

His tone and laugh caught the attention of Victoria and her parents.

"I'm not stupid, I'm doing what I think is right," I argued, trying to stand my ground.

"You're not using your brain!" my father shouted, his temper getting worse and worse. "You've created a mockery out of all of us. What will people say when they find out this entire engagement was a lie?"

"I'm sorry?" Mrs. Covington asked with a shocked expression. "But what on earth are you talking about? A lie?"

I looked to Victoria who was biting her nails nervously. She had specifically told me that she didn't want things to go badly again, and here we were.

She looked at me to try to save the situation, but if I had done anything, all I had done was make it worse.

I felt bad that I had inadvertently caused things to go haywire again. But the deal had been fulfilled, and I was over it. Now, all I wanted to do was make things right.

"His engagement with Victoria was a lie so that I could settle his... friend's debts." My father said the word 'friend's' with distaste and distain. "It appears we have been fooled for a second time."

Mrs. Covington gasped, her surprise mirroring my father's earlier expression. The revelation that we had tricked them for a second time didn't seem to be sitting well.

"How could you?" Mr. Covington asked, directing all of his anger at me.

"I never liked you!" Mrs. Covington snapped, lunging for me. "You've only caused trouble and swept Victoria up in all of your mischief!"

I side-stepped her as she tried to grab onto my arm.

Victoria ran up to her mother, holding her back from me. "Mother, stop! It wasn't all Lucas's idea. I knew about it."

"What did he bribe you with dear? How did he blackmail you?" Mrs. Covington asked Victoria, her eyes softening once she placed them on her daughter.

I'm sure she thought the Victoria would never be as devious or calculated as me. She hardly knew her daughter at all.

"He didn't blackmail me," Victoria stated. "I agreed willingly so that Lucas could help Shana."

"That's what all of this is about?" Mrs. Covington asked, turning toward me again. "That wolfless peasant who was here earlier?"

"What?" My father asked, taking a step forward. "She was here?"

"She was, and she was here with that other alpha boy, the one who's too modernized to ever be a part of our society."

Victoria's face started to turn red with anger. I could tell that she wanted to say something, but she was holding her tongue.

"I hope you know that you've ruined any chance for Victoria to have another arranged marriage!" Mrs. Covington shrieked. "You've ruined everything!"

"I doubt that Victoria wants to find herself in another arranged marriage anyway," I said. "So, really, I think I've done her a favor."

Mrs. Covington gasped as my father grabbed my elbow, spinning me to face him. "That's enough!"

I yanked my arm from his grasp, throwing a glare in his direction. I was sick of being treated this way, and I wasn't going to stand for it anymore.

I couldn't even find it within myself to care about what the repercussions would be. I didn't even care if it effected my father negatively.

I had lived under his oppressive and incessant expectations for far too long. I could no longer be shackled or controlled by his demands and manipulation. If this is what my life was going to look like, I wanted no part of it.

"My intentions were always with Shana," I confessed, hoping that my point got across. "Victoria was never the one I wanted. She just helped me get what I wanted."

My father was still, but I could see how his eyes shook with displeasure.

He spoke with a heavy voice, shaking his head at me. "You've disappointed me time and time again, Lucas. I want you no part of the family business. You can kiss the heir status goodbye."

Good, I thought to myself.I don't want it anyway.

As I turned to leave, my thoughts were instantly consumed by Shana and James. I needed to go see them and explain everything. More importantly, I needed to reassure Shana that this was all to help her.

I heard shouting behind me as Victoria argued with her parents, but I didn't stop. I needed to get out of here as fast as possible.

"Lucas, wait!" I heard Victoria follow after me.

I turned and saw her jogging toward me. Behind her, our parents watched on with disappointed faces.

"Are you going to go see Shana and James?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.

I nodded, my mind already racing with the plans I had. "Yes, I am. I have to explain everything to them."

She smiled weakly. "Is it okay if I come with you? I want to be there."

I hesitated for a moment, wondering how Shana would react to seeing Victoria again. But deep down, I knew it would be best for both of us to be there to explain both sides of the story. That way, we wouldn't get caught up in any more lies. "Of course," I said. "Let's go."