Chapter 294

Lucas's POV

The dim lights of the abandoned factory barely illuminated our path as I moved forward with two of my security personnel. My footsteps echoed against the concrete floor, my heart pounding with each step. My face remained impassive, but inside, I was burning with rage.

As we rounded the corner, I saw her. Rachel Thorne. Sitting on a rusted metal chair, a victorious smile playing on her lips. Her eyes darted behind me, searching, and I could see the disappointment flash across her face when she realized Serena wasn't with me.

"Where is she?" Rachel asked, her voice laced with contempt.

"I came alone," I replied coldly. My eyes quickly scanned the room, assessing the situation. Three armed men positioned strategically around her. Two flanking her sides, weapons visible as a clear threat. And the third-my breath caught when I spotted him standing behind Rachel, guarding my son.

Milo sat on the floor, hands bound behind his back, mouth gagged with a cloth. His eyes widened when he saw me, and he immediately began to struggle against his restraints.

I clenched my fist, fighting back the urge to lunge forward and tear apart anyone who dared touch my child. Instead, I gave Milo a subtle, reassuring look. He understood, his struggles ceasing as his frightened eyes locked with mine.

Rachel noticed our exchange and let out a chuckle that sent chills down my spine.

"To be honest," she said, leaning forward in her chair, "I'd hate to kill little Milo. Such an adorable child-it would be such a waste."

"Rachel," I said, my voice steady despite the fury coursing through me, "this is between us. There's no need to involve innocent people, especially a child. Let him go, and I'm all yours."

Her eyes gleamed with malice. "You hurt me, Lucas. And for that, you need to pay tenfold! Why should I just punish you when I can punish everyone you care about? Milo, Stella, and your precious Serena!"

My expression darkened, a cold mask slipping over my features. "And you think you can actually accomplish that?"

Rachel stood up, her confidence radiating as she gestured around her. "Haven't I already?"

I needed to throw her off-balance. Make her doubt herself and her control over the situation. So I asked a question I knew would shake her to the core.

"Do you really think I can't let go of Milo if I have to?"

The smile faltered on her face. Just as I expected.

"I came here to give myself some hope-to avoid regrets," I continued, my voice chillingly detached. "But that doesn't guarantee a happy ending. For any of us."

My heart was breaking as I spoke these words, knowing my son could hear me. But I had to sound convincing. I had to make Rachel believe I might actually walk away.

"Lucas Harrington," she hissed, her composure cracking, "are you saying you'd abandon your own son?"

I shrugged, maintaining my icy demeanor. "When I have no other choice, I have to let go. You should know by now that I don't respond well to threats."

Rachel's face contorted with rage. "You think I won't do it? I'll kill him right now!"

"I believe you would," I replied evenly, locking eyes with her. "But if you do, you won't leave this place alive either."

"I never planned on surviving this," she spat back.

I allowed a knowing smile to cross my face. "That's where you're wrong. You can't bear the thought of dying before making me suffer tenfold, as you put it. That's what's really keeping you alive, isn't it?"

Her face paled, telling me I'd hit the mark. Her breathing became erratic as she struggled to maintain control of the situation-and herself.

I seized the moment to make my move. "So Rachel, I'll give you one last chance. Release Milo, and I'll stay here with you. We can die together."

Confusion flickered across her face. "You just said you could abandon Milo. Now you're offering to die with me? Which is it?"

"I'm doing this for Serena," I said coldly. "Just to give her some closure."

My words pushed her over the edge. Her eyes blazed with a jealous fury as she screamed, "So Serena means more to you than Milo? More than your own life?!"

I didn't hesitate. Not for a second. "Yes. To me, Serena matters most."

The truth flowed from my lips without restraint, and I watched as Rachel's composure shattered completely. Her carefully applied makeup cracked along with her sanity as she erupted into hysterics.

"Why? What makes her so special?" she screamed, her voice echoing against the metal walls. "What does she have that I don't? I've been by your side for years, Lucas! Years! I've sacrificed my dignity for you. What part of me isn't good enough compared to her?"

I remained perfectly still, my expression betraying nothing while my mind calculated every possible outcome of this dangerous situation. When I finally spoke, my voice was steady.

"Loving someone doesn't require reasons," I said, my tone measured yet firm. "When you can list reasons for loving someone, it isn't love at all."

Rachel's chest heaved with each ragged breath as I continued, "All I can tell you is that in this lifetime, it's Serena or no one for me."

A strange, maniacal laugh bubbled from Rachel's throat. She drew closer, the scent of her expensive perfume mingling with something sharper-desperation.

"You'll never have her," she hissed. "I'll make sure of that. If I can't have you, neither can she."

I looked directly into her eyes. "Your love is selfish, Rachel. It always has been."

"Yes!" she admitted, flinging her arms wide. "I am selfish! I always have been. Everything I've ever wanted, I've taken. And you're no exception!"

The warehouse felt suddenly smaller, the shadows deeper. Every nerve in my body tensed as I realized the full extent of her instability.

"Then let Milo go," I said firmly, "and I'll die with you."

Rachel's eyes widened momentarily before narrowing with suspicion. She gave a cold, knowing smile that chilled me to the bone.

"You think I'm that easily fooled?" she said with a sneer. "You think a few sweet words will make me trust you and let your precious son go free?"

I stared back at her, my gaze hardening into ice. Every muscle in my body tensed as I fought the urge to grab her by the throat.

"I've been by your side for years, Lucas. I know what you care about and what you don't," she continued, circling me like a predator. "Don't think you can manipulate me that easily. It won't work."

Since gentle persuasion had failed, I decided to change tactics. My fingers curled into tight fists at my sides as I struggled to contain the fury and fear coursing through me.

"Then follow your self-important delusions. Make your choice," I said coldly.

I turned toward the exit, each step carefully measured. My heart hammered against my ribs as I moved away from her, praying my gamble would work. After taking just two steps, I paused deliberately.

"Once I leave this warehouse," I said without turning around, "it means I've given up on Milo. Whatever you choose to do after that, I don't care. But I will call the police immediately."

I heard her panicked intake of breath, followed by her shrill voice. "Lucas! If you dare walk out, Milo will die right before your eyes!"

Every fiber of my being screamed at me to turn back, but I forced myself to keep walking. My exterior remained calm and collected while my soul bled with each step.

"If I stay, the result will be the same," I replied, my voice devoid of emotion. "Better a quick end than prolonged suffering. Milo... I guess we weren't destined to be father and son in this lifetime."

"Lucas, how can you be so cruel?" Rachel screamed in disbelief. "Milo is your flesh and blood!"

I continued toward the door, each step feeling like walking on razor blades. "I can have many children," I said, my words cutting through the air like ice shards. "Serena and I can have many babies together. Eventually, I'll forget about Milo."

Every word I spoke was a knife twisting in my own heart, but I knew this psychological warfare was my only weapon against Rachel's madness.

The sudden crack of a gunshot froze my blood. My body involuntarily stiffened, terror washing over me like a tidal wave-had she hurt Milo? Had my gamble cost my son his life? Despite the crippling fear, I forced myself to continue walking, not allowing her to see how deeply she'd struck me.

As my hand reached for the warehouse door, her desperate voice called out:

"Fine! Come back, and I'll release Milo."