Chapter 76 The Confrontation
Lucas, William, Jonathan, and Elizabeth headed into town to confront Stacey. Helen, Gladys, Grace, and Julie stayed behind to watch the children and keep an eye on Derrick since everyone was still a little skeptical about his story.
"Lucas what are you going to say to her?" Elizabeth asked all emotional.
"I honestly don't know Elizabeth. I guess I'm going to roll with the punches. This is all crazy. I can deal with robbers, murderers, even blackmail, but this is a little out of my comfort zone. I've never had to have a confrontation with a woman." He said concerned.
"Lucas, son this is about the future and reputation of your family. Man or woman it must be addressed. There is no room for you to be soft here when you have clearly been deceived. This town is your home and your family and friends will stand behind you no matter what." Jonathan said reassuring him that they had your back.
"I just don't understand the timing of all this. If she was in love with me then why would she have married another man? Nothing makes sense." He said confused.
"Elizabeth, I love you and I want you to remember she is clearly a liar. Do not take anything she says to heart, because I have no idea what will come out of her mouth. I can assure you as strong as my feelings were for here that nothing ever happened between us and my feelings for you are infinitely stronger than they were for her." Lucas said grabbing her hand and intertwining their fingers while bringing it to his lips for a quick kiss.
The car pulled up behind the Queen of Hearts and everyone got out. Lucas took Elizabeth by the hand and all of them walked over to the King of Hearts hotel. Lucas walked up to the desk and checked the records to view them when the subject appeared in front of them.
"Lucas, it's great to see you. Did you come to check on me?" She asked in an annoying voice that was making Elizabeth mad. "Do you own this hotel?"
"Yes I do." He replied.
"Would you all like to go next door to the Queen of Hearts and get dinner? I have made friends with the chef there and he likes me I think I can get us a free dinner." Stacey said mischievously.
He nodded as he took Elizabeth by the hand and their father's followed. "Elizabeth endure this for me it might be better to question her there. Besides I need to find out from Gustave what he is doing giving her free food? Lucas whispered in her ear.
They walked in and immediately took a seat at their table up front marked private.
"Oh you two have your own private table how nice is that?" She chuckled.
William, Jonathan, and Elizabeth all had the same thoughts this woman was grating on their nerves.
"Stacey we do not manipulate people for free food. That is incredibly dishonest and why would you do that?" Lucas asked.
"I guess when you don't have a lot you find a way to make a living any way that you can." She said as she rolled her eyes.
"Why are you here Stacey?" Lucas asked now firmly wanting to get to the bottom of this.
"Lucas you were a great friend once and you just disappeared. After Derrick died I looked for comfort anywhere I could find it and knew I would find it here."
"Stacey we know Derrick isn't dead. So, how about some honesty now. What do you really want?" He asked.
"Well, well you have been talking to him. Okay Lucas I want the life with you that I never got a chance to have." She said as Elizabeth's face turned really, really red. Lucas gripped her hand tighter and covered it with his other hand to assure her it would be okay.
"You made a choice Stacey to marry another man. You were not mine to have and now my heart belongs firmly to Elizabeth and nothing in this world will ever change that. She is my forever love and she understands me and I her. It is a partnership that we share and an amazing feeling to be loved so deeply but also selflessly. Sometimes loving someone means letting them go." He said adoringly while he looked deeply at Elizabeth.
"You are just going to walk away from the opportunity of us being together?" She said sarcasm in her voice.
"I don't even know who you are. You have deceived me, my family, and Derrick and God knows how many other lies you have told. Why would I want that in my life?" He said firmly. "There is nothing for you here. You need to be on your way. Do you want money? What can I give you to make you leave?"
"I suppose you haven't told them about us and the baby of yours that I aborted and you paid for. What will people say when they find out?"
"WHAT? Oh wow you are out of your mind!" Lucas shouted now everyone was staring as Lucas stood fire blazing in his eyes. Lucas nodded at William who left to go get Nathan and Bill and fill them in before Lucas did something he was going to regret.