Chapter 8
As the engagement date loomed closer, his messages grew more frequent.
Before long, they turned into blatant threats. “Avery, if you don‘ t apologize, don‘ t even think about showing up at the engagement ceremony today.”
When I received that message, I was sitting in a taxi on my way to the airport.
A cold smile curved my lips.
Without a second thought, I powered off my phone.
At the busy airport, Savannah wrapped her arms around me, unwilling to let go.
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“Avery, when you marry Mr. Spencer, make sure to call me. No matter the distance, I‘ 11 be there to toast to your happiness.”
“Of course.” I patted her shoulder with a grin. “You’ll be my bridesmaid.”
“It’s a deal. I won’t forget.”
Savannah’s smile was bright, full of warmth.
The distance from Franklin to Riverdale was far, but the flight itself was surprisingly brief just over two hours.
As the plane touched down, my calm demeanor suddenly gave way to a racing
heart.
After all, the person I was about to meet was someone I barely knew, someone who
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scarcely existed in my memories.
His name was Lucas Buckingham, the new head of the Spencer family and William’s biological uncle.
William should have carried the Spencer surname, but he had chosen his mother‘ s name instead.
My maternal grandparents and the Spencer family had been old friends for years.
When I was young, I often visited my grandmother’s house in Riverdale. William and I spent countless hours together, inseparable as childhood companions.
Seeing how well we got along, my grandfather and Lucas‘ s grandfather arranged a
childhood betrothal for us.
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Though Lucas was William‘ s uncle, he was only six years older than him.
I could just barely remember catching glimpses of him during childhood visits to the Spencer family’s grand villa.
He was handsome and somewhat serious, but whenever I accidentally ruined his work, he would always offer a gentle smile and say,
“It’s alright.”
The last time I saw him was a year ago, at my
mother’s funeral.
He came to Franklin to pay his respects on behalf of his grandfather.
He didn’t speak a word, simply sitting beside me in the mourning hall, quietly keeping me company all night.
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That night, William, mesmerized by Amanda,
had left me alone in the hall.
Too overwhelmed by grief, I hadn’t noticed his absence, nor did I realize it was Lucas who had stayed by my side through the long, lonely hours.
It wasn’t until later that Amanda confessed:
that night, she and William had been together
for the first time.
The airport exit buzzed with life, a sea of people weaving in and out. As I scanned the crowd aimlessly, I spotted a familiar figure among them.
He was just as mesmerizing as always. Sharp features, a tall, slender frame, dressed in
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impeccably tailored black trousers and a
white shirt, radiating an effortless elegance that seemed to set him apart from the world.
The most talented and admired man in the Spencer family, perhaps the most remarkable in all of Riverdale. Even in a sea of faces, he stood out without trying.
In the presence of such an extraordinary man, I suddenly felt an inexplicable distance, as if I didn’t dare to step closer.
I lowered my gaze, my heart racing faster with every step he took toward me.
Lucas approached, his height towering over
me,
at least half a head taller. His scent was subtle and fresh, like the calm of nature after
a rain.
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“Avery?” His deep, magnetic voice rang out,
cutting through the air.
“Spencer… Mr. Spencer.” I lowered my
head even more, my chin almost grazing my
chest.
“It’s been a while,” he said, his smile
gentle yet laced with something unreadable.
“Why have you become so shy? Where’s the boldness you had when you called me and promised you‘ d marry me?”
A flush crept up my cheeks, and for a moment, I couldn’t find the words. Finally, I lifted my gaze, meeting his eyes.
His smile was warm, genuine, so different from the hollow, perfunctory ones William had once given me.
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But then, just as quickly, Lucas‘ expression softened, his focus shifting. His slender fingers reached out, brushing aside the stray locks of hair from my forehead.
“What happened here?” he asked, his voice quiet, laced with concern.
