LOVED BY MY EX HUSBAND'S STEP BROTHER

CHAPTER FOUR

Arora's headache intensified at Lucian nonchalant attitude.

She shook her head and turned her attention to Lucas and I. "You have been married for five years now. Wen are you planning on having kids? I'm looking forward on saving grannd kids"

The moment the topic came up, the atmosphereb in the living room suddenly became tense. I gripped ,my teacup so tightly my knuckles turned white.

This topic, is the one that pierce my heart anytime it was mentioned.

Lucas's aunt Lora immediately seize the opportunity.

She leaned forward with a sneer. "Olivia, you and Lucas have been married for five years. What will it look if you dont have a child? What will others think of our Roland family?"

She paused, malice glinting in her eyes. "And if Lucas hadn't insisted on marring you, do you think you could have married into this family with your background? Dont be so ungrateful. You dont want to have children for Lucas, but there are plenty of women out there who would."

Lora spoke with mock concern, but her gaze was filled with contempt. She had always looked down on this niece-in-law.

Talking about children made my chest tighten with pain. Of course I wanted a child, but all my effort are always abortive

I still couln't concieve.

Just as I was drowning in humiliation, Lucas suddenly took my hand. He smiled at his grandmother. “Grandma, we’re trying! There’s no rushing these things. We have to let nature take its course.”

Then he turned to Lora, his voice stern, “Lora, watch your words. Olivia is my wife, and I won’t tolerate anyone speaking to her like that.”

Lora’s face flushed red at being publicly rebuked. “I’m doing this for your good. You’ve been married for so long without any progress…”

That’s enough,” Lucas interrupted sharply. “You don’t need to worry about Olivia and me. And i want to make it clear that I’m honored to have her as my wife. She didn’t marry up.”

I felt a confusing mix of emotions as I listened to Lucas’s defense. The love they ad shared over the years was genuine. Lucas’s protection of me has always felt real. He consistently stood between I and my family and his own family’s criticism.

But at the same he didn’t defend me from his mistress on the day of our anniversary, His betrayal was also real. Those photos. The pregnancy result. The woman’s taunting messages. All of this reminded me that this man had deceived me completely.

Lora was clearly unwilling to let this go. She continued with false sweetness. I’m just telling the truth. No pregnancy in five years? Maybe there’s something wrong with her body.

“Lora!” Lucas’s voice turned dangerously cold.” I’m warning you for the last time. Whether or when we have children is between Olivia and me. It’s not your business to interfere”.

In the past, I would have been grateful for Lucas’s protection. I would have seen it as a proof of his love. But today, hearing these words felt hollow.

I knew the moment Lucas cheated, everything changed. No amount of public defense could erase what he had done in private.

Midway through the banquet, Lucas’s phone suddenly rang.

“Sorry everyone, Lucas said with an apologetic smile. “There’s an emergency at work. I need to handle this right away.”

He turned to me, his expression softening. “Honey, can you have Grandma’s driver take you home? I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Arora waved dismissively. “Lucas, go ahead. Dont worry, and Olivia.”

Lucas kissed my forehead quickly. “I’ll make this up to you, I promise.”

As soon as Lucas’s car disappeared down the driveway, Alora’s polite mask slipped completely. She looked at me with open displeasure.

Well, now that Lucas’s gone, Alora said coldly, “I suppose you’ll be wanting to leave too.”

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

Olivia’s not some delicate flower,” Lora chimed in with renewed confidence. “She can find her own way home, can’t she?”

I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment.

I had been dismissed like a servant. Without Lucas’s protection, she meant nothing to these people.

“I think that’s my cue to leave, “I said. I stood up. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

The butler, following Alora’s subtle nod, escorted me only to the manor gate. He immediately turned back towards the house, leaving me standing alone on the roadside.

That’s when the rain started.

Fat droplets fell from the dark sky, quickly soaking through my silk dress.

I pulled out my phone to call a taxi, but the app showed no available drivers in this remote area. The summer estate was from the city center.

The rain intensified rapidly. Within minutes, I was completely drenched. My carefully styled hair hung in wet strands around my face. My dress clung uncomfortably to my skin.

Just when i thought things couln’t get worse, headlights cut through the darkness. A black Rolls-Royce slowed to a stop beside me.

The window rolled down, revealing Lucian’s sharp features.