4. Lucy
Chapter four
Lucy
The insistent ringing of my phone cuts through the silence, jolting me awake. My head feels heavy, the remnants of sleep still thick around my mind, and for a moment, I can’t remember where I am. The light filtering through the blinds tells me it’s early, too early to be this awake.
I reach for my phone on the nightstand, squinting at the screen. The name on the display sends a cold shiver down my spine: Dad.
I blink, trying to shake off the sleep, and swipe to answer it. My voice comes out groggy, thick with the remnants of dreams.
“Hello dad?” I mumble, my eyes still shut, willing the conversation to be short so I can fall back into the warmth of my bed.
"Lucy," my father’s voice booms through the phone, sharp and clear. “You’ve been avoiding my calls.”
I sit up immediately, a wave of anxiety hitting me faster than I can react. I’m awake now. Fully awake.
“I—no, I wasn’t avoiding you,” I say quickly, trying to keep my tone even, not letting the guilt slip through. “I've just… been busy.”
There’s a pause on the other end, the silence hanging in the air, and I can feel the weight of it. My father doesn’t miss much, and he knows I’m not telling him everything. He’s been pushing the engagement more than ever lately, and every conversation feels like it’s slowly suffocating me.
“You know what’s coming, don’t you?” he continues, his voice firm, authoritative. “The engagement is imminent. I’ve arranged everything with Grant’s family. We’re finalizing the details.”
I close my eyes, my heart sinking. The words feel like a punch, like the air has been knocked out of me. I swallow, trying to push the tightness in my chest away. I don’t want to think about it. I don’t want to talk about it.
“I know,” I manage to say, my voice quieter now, too soft. “You’ve said this before.”
“I’m not going to repeat myself, Lucy,” he snaps, the irritation clear in his voice. “This is important. I’m giving you time to adjust, but you have to understand, this is how things are done. This is what’s best for the family. For the business.”
I take a breath, letting the words hang in the air, but they feel like a weight on my chest. For the family. For the business. That’s all it’s ever been about. He doesn’t get it. He doesn’t understand what this is doing to me, the pressure, the suffocation.
“I just need a little more time,” I say, my voice cracking before I can stop it. “Please.”
“Time?” My father’s voice turns cold, and I can hear the impatience in his tone. “We’ve given you time. You’re getting what you wanted, time away, a change of scenery. But when it’s time to come back I don't want any issues. Please.”
I press my hand to my forehead, trying to gather my thoughts, trying to keep the panic from taking over.
I look out the window, the view of the quiet town outside, the early morning sunlight casting long shadows on the street.
It feels like a world away from the suffocating world he’s trying to pull me back into.
“I... promise there won't be any issue,” I say, my words barely a whisper. “I just can’t do this yet.”
“You don’t have a choice, Lucy. The decision is made. You’ll be coming back soon. We’ll get everything in order. I expect you to behave accordingly.”
His words sting. The finality of it hits me harder than I want to admit. I can already feel the weight of the future closing in, the life I’ve been running from tightening around me.
I try to keep my voice steady. “I need more time. Please, just give me a little more time.”
There’s a long pause on the other end. He’s quiet, considering my words, but I know what’s coming next. I know how this goes. I’ve been down this road with him so many times before.
“Okay, Lucy,” he finally says, his voice stern. “You’ll do your part, just like you always have.”
I swallow hard, blinking back the rising tide of frustration and helplessness. “I understand,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.
“Good,” he says, his tone lighter now, almost as if the conversation is over. “Let’s not drag this out any longer. Goodbye.”
Before I can say anything else, he hangs up. The click of the line disconnecting is deafening.
I sit there, holding the phone in my hand, staring at the blank screen. The weight of the conversation settles on my shoulders like a stone, and I feel myself sink back into the bed, the warmth of the sheets doing nothing to ease the cold feeling in my chest.
I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up. I don’t know how much longer I can pretend that I’m okay with this — that I’m okay with the life he’s planning for me. But I don’t have a choice, do I?
He’s right. I don’t have a choice.
I close my eyes, taking a deep breath, willing the tears that are threatening to fall to stay put.
There’s no point in crying. It won’t change anything.
How I wish my mother was still alive. She wouldn’t have let this happen to me, I know.
But that’s a false hope. She’s been gone almost ten years, so it’s just been me and father, oh, and of course the nannies and maids.
I roll over, pushing the covers off of me, trying to shake off the heaviness of the call. But it lingers, the pressure of it all settling into the corners of my mind.
I get up, walk over to the window, and pull the blinds open, letting the morning light flood the room.
I look out at the peaceful town of Bayview, the streets still quiet, the air crisp and cool.
The town feels like a safe place. But how long can I stay here?
How long can I keep pretending this life — this freedom — is mine?
The question lingers as I stand there, watching the sunrise, hoping against hope that I won’t regret the choices I’ve made when the time finally comes to face the life my father wants for me.
But for now, I just want to breathe. For now, I just want to hold on to the little bit of peace I’ve found here, even if it’s fleeting.
***
I’m still thinking about the phone call from my father when I step into the clinic.
The sound of the door chimes barely registers, my mind still swirling with his demands, his cold assurances that this is what’s best for the family.
The pressure of it weighs on me more than I want to admit.
I can’t shake the suffocating feeling that he’s trapping me in a life I never chose.
I swallow the knot in my throat, trying to push the thoughts aside as I take my coat off and hang it on the hook near the door.
The clinic is bustling today. It’s not unusual for us to get busy now and then but today seems different.
There are animals everywhere — dogs barking, cats meowing from their cages, and a constant stream of people checking in at the reception for their pet’s care or for an adoption appointment.
The place feels a little chaotic, but in the best way.
It’s the kind of day that reminds me why I’m here.
I walk toward the back, trying to find my bearings. I’m scheduled to help with whatever I can, but I don’t expect things to be as frantic as they are. The staff is running around, attending to appointments, and the hum of conversation fills the air.
That’s when I see him.
Liam.
I freeze, a rush of heat spreading across my chest before I can stop it.
He’s standing near the counter, speaking with Emma.
I’m not sure what they’re talking about, but my first instinct is to turn around and find something else to do.
Anything else. But before I can slip away, Liam’s gaze lands on me.
“Lucy,” he calls, his voice carrying over the noise.
I wince inwardly, but I force myself to smile as I turn toward him. "Hi, Liam."
I’m trying to keep things cool, trying to keep the nerves from showing, but there’s something about the way he’s looking at me, the way his smile lingers a little longer than usual, that makes my heart skip.
I should’ve expected this, but I wasn’t prepared for how his presence seems to change everything.
Before I can say anything else, Emma walks up, catching the tail end of our exchange. Her eyes flicker between the two of us, and I can see the relief in her expression.
“Perfect timing,” Emma says, her voice a little strained.
She looks over at me with a soft smile. “Lucy, I’m going to need you to fill in for me for a bit.
There are so many pets today, and the others have their hands full.
Can you take over with Liam for the tech stuff? It’ll only be for an hour or so.”
I glance between her and Liam, my pulse quickening. I’m not sure how to feel about being put in this position. Part of me wants to say no, to escape into the background where I’m safe, but the other part of me knows that Emma’s been more than kind to me. She’s been a good boss, and I owe her.
I hesitate, but before I can respond, Liam speaks up, making my decision for me.
“Actually, Emma, I think that sounds perfect,” he says, his voice warm and confident. "Lucy’s probably the best person for this, right?"
I glance at him, surprised at how easily he’s agreeing. It feels like he’s doing this to make me comfortable, but I’m not sure if it’s just him being polite or if there’s something more behind it.
Emma looks at me one last time, her expression softening. “You can use one of the empty rooms in the back. It’ll be quiet enough for you to give Liam all the details he needs. Let me know if you need anything.”
I nod, forcing a smile. "Sure, of course."
The minute Emma walks away; I feel the change in the air.
It’s just me and Liam now, and I’m suddenly aware of how much space we’re occupying in this small room.
There’s something different about the way he’s looking at me today — something warmer, softer.
I can’t put my finger on it, but I feel a flutter in my chest every time he glances my way.