Chapter 87

Lucas POV

I wasn't lying about what I said in my conversation with Shana. I was going to end my engagement with Victoria, and I was going to end it today.

I figured the best way to do it would be to invite Victoria and her family over for dinner.

When I suggested the idea to my father earlier, he seemed satisfied. His acknowledgment told me that he thought I was finally willing to bond with Victoria's family.

That couldn't be further from the truth.

We had a private chef elegantly set the table for us, complete with floral arrangements and golden candlelight. This dinner was supposed to signify unity, power, and a step toward a pre-planned. future.

But for me, it had a completely different purpose and nobody had a clue.

As the first course arrived, I felt an unsettling sense of nervousness as Victoria's parents sat across from me. They were currently talking with my father about a recent business deal hiccup— the usual topic of conversation.

I was so incredibly bored, and I couldn't help but steal a glance at Victoria. She looked stunning, as always, but her smile seemed forced, her eyes distant. I could only imagine the pressure she was under, much like me.

I felt like I should've let her know beforehand my plan for tonight. I didn't want her to be blind-sighted, but it was too late to say anything now.

"Lucas, I must say, I'm pleasantly surprised that you wanted to invite us over for dinner," Victoria's mother spoke elegantly, carefully holding a wine glass. "I think it shows your willingness to change."

I wanted to frown at that. Change? What is that supposed to mean?

"Yes," Victoria's father spoke, clearing his throat. "We've decided to forgive your... mistake at the mountain."

Mistake?

"We were quite hard on you," Victoria's mother said again. "As we should be! Our precious Victoria is in your hands forever now. It's your responsibility to make sure she's safe at all times."

"Once the two of you are married, our cooperation will be much more seamless," Victoria's father said, sliding his hand over his wife's. "We'll accept you as our own."

I looked over at Victoria who made a loud squeak sound with her mouth.

When she noticed that all of our eyes were on her, she smiled tightly, clutching a hand over her neck. "Sorry, there was something in my throat."

"And Victoria will be accepted into the Busch family, as well," my father said with a stiff nod. "She'll make a great addition, and their children will have our empires to look after."

This time it was my turn to clear my throat. Children? Victoria and I weren't even married yet, and they were already fantasizing a life where we had kids running around.

Hell, Victoria and I were still both in high school.

Victoria gave me a wide-eyed look, taking a couple of sips of her water glass. I could practically read the thoughts that were running through her head.

This conversation was slowly getting worse, and I didn't want to hear what else they were going to say.

Victoria's parent's faces were expectant, filled with the anticipation of business mergers, alliances, and wedding plans. And it was all too much. I felt the weight of their expectations pressing down on me more than ever before.

Not only was it coming from my father, but now it was coming from them.

The expectation to be the perfect husband for their daughter... Someone I didn't even love.

Even Victoria looked uncomfortable, and I couldn't blame her.

This was all wrong.

Amidst the chatter, I heard the mention of Shana's name as my father spoke. "It's good that you've distanced yourself from that wolfless girl, Lucas," he remarked casually as if we were discussing the weather.

That simple statement was like a spark igniting a fire within me. It reminded me of the talk I'd had with Shana, the courage and advice she'd given me, and the realization that I couldn't wait any longer.

If I had to do this, I had to do it now. No more putting up with this bullshit. I had to end it now.

I couldn't bear the weight of this charade any longer.

My heart pounded in my chest as I stood up, the scrape of my chair against the floor drawing everyone's attention. They all stared at me, blinking in confusion and concern.

"Lucas?" Victoria asked, reaching out to grab my hand.

I looked down at where our skin touched, and back at her eyes.

I don't know if I was mistaken or not, but it appeared as if she was sending me some sort of encouragement or acknowledgment. Did she know that I had reached my breaking point? Did she know that I was about to ruin this dinner?

Is she trying to stop me, or tell me to keep going?

I couldn't exactly tell, but she wouldn't be able to stop me at this point. My mind was already made up.

"Excuse me," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil of emotions tumbling around inside me. "There's something I need to say."

"You know I hate dramatics." My father's brows furrowed. "Just get on with it."

I shifted my weight, squeezing Victoria's hand before letting it go.

Victoria's parents exchanged glances of confusion. I tried to steel myself for what was about to come, but honestly, I had no idea what their reaction would be. It would be a complete surprise to me, and all of us.

Victoria looked at me, that same understanding there.

Taking a deep breath, I continued, my eyes moving to lock with Victoria's parents.

Here goes nothing...

"I appreciate your understanding, and I respect our families' connections. I respect Victoria as a person, and because of that, I can't proceed with this engagement. I'm calling the wedding off."

Silence hung in the air, thick and tense and overbearing. The shock on their faces was impossible to ignore, even my father looked taken aback.

Oh great, their reaction is a bit worse than I thought it would be.

Victoria's lips parted, her eyes widening.

"I've come to realize that what matters most to me is not the legacy or business arrangements," I explained, my voice unwavering despite the nerves threatening to make me crumple under their stares. "It's my own happiness, and I can't let this decision be made for me. And I can't allow Victoria's happiness to also be taken away from her."

Victoria's parents looked at each other again, their frustration and disappointment becoming more apparent with every passing second.

My father's eyes darkened, his disappointment turning into something closer to anger. I could tell he was trying to hold himself back from the audience, but it was getting harder and harder for him to remain calm.

"Lucas, you can't just—" my father began, his voice laced with steel.

"I can," I interrupted firmly.

Yikes, I thought, seeing how his face fell. That was ballsy of me to interrupt him.

"I won't go through with this engagement," I continued. "I'm sorry for any inconvenience this announcement might cause, but it's the decision I've made, and I'm not changing my mind."