The Carrington Affair ✔

13| The Right Choice

The atmosphere in the Carrington mansion had shifted subtly over the past few weeks. As the restoration project neared its final stages, the tension that once permeated the air had started to ease. The estate's grandeur was slowly being revived, with each restored element bringing the mansion closer to its former glory. But amidst the bricks and mortar, another transformation was taking place—one that involved matters of the heart.

Lucas, ever the charmer, had been watching closely as the dynamics between Natalia and Ace evolved. It hadn't been easy for him. His initial attraction to Natalia had grown into something more—a genuine affection that he hadn't expected. Lucas had always been the carefree one, the brother who approached life with a light heart and a ready smile. But for the first time in a long while, he found himself grappling with feelings of loss and introspection.

Lucas had always admired Ace, even if their approaches to life and business were vastly different. Ace was the responsible one, the one who carried the weight of the family legacy with grace and determination. Lucas, on the other hand, had often taken a more relaxed path, enjoying the pleasures of life without getting too caught up in its complications. But now, as he observed the growing bond between Natalia and Ace, Lucas felt a pang of something unfamiliar—jealousy, yes, but also a deep sense of self-awareness.

One evening, after a long day of overseeing the final touches on the mansion's east wing, Lucas found himself alone in the library. The room was one of his favorite places in the estate, filled with memories of his childhood, of times when he and Ace would sneak in after bedtime to read stories by candlelight. The familiar scent of aged leather and old books brought a sense of comfort, but tonight, it also brought clarity.

Lucas sat down in one of the plush armchairs, his thoughts swirling. He had always prided himself on being someone who could easily win people over, someone who could charm his way through life's challenges. But this was different. Natalia wasn't just another conquest, another notch on his belt. She was someone who had come into their lives and changed everything. And it was clear to Lucas that her heart wasn't his to win.

As he sat there, Lucas replayed the events of the past few weeks in his mind—the late-night conversations between Natalia and Ace, the way they looked at each other, the unspoken connection that seemed to grow stronger with each passing day. He had tried to ignore it at first, to brush it off as mere professional companionship. But deep down, Lucas had always known the truth.

Natalia had fallen for Ace. And as much as it pained him to admit it, Lucas knew that Ace felt the same way about her.

The realization hit him hard, but it also brought a sense of clarity that he hadn't expected. Lucas had always believed that he was the one who could offer Natalia excitement, spontaneity and fun. But what she needed—what she had found in Ace—was something deeper, something that went beyond charm and flirtation. She needed someone who understood her, who could match her passion and dedication, and who could offer her the kind of love that was rooted in respect and mutual admiration.

Lucas sighed, leaning back in the chair as he stared up at the ornate ceiling. For the first time, he allowed himself to fully confront his feelings. He cared for Natalia deeply, but he also knew that forcing his way into her heart would only lead to more pain—for both of them.

It was time to let go.

The next morning, Lucas sought out Natalia. He found her in the grand ballroom, overseeing the final phase of the floor restoration. The sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting a warm glow over the room. Natalia was focused, as always, her attention to detail evident in the way she carefully examined the craftsmen's work. But when she noticed Lucas approaching, she offered him a warm smile.

"Good morning, Lucas," she greeted, her voice bright with the satisfaction of seeing the project come together. "What brings you here?"

Lucas returned her smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I needed to talk to you, Natalia. There's something I've been thinking about and I think it's time I said it."

Natalia's smile faded slightly, sensing the seriousness in his tone. She nodded, gesturing for him to join her as they stepped away from the workmen.

"What's on your mind?" she asked, her concern evident.

Lucas took a deep breath, searching for the right words. "Natalia, I've been trying to figure out how to say this for a while now. I care about you—a lot. More than I realized at first. But over the past few weeks, I've come to see that your heart... your heart belongs to Ace."

Natalia's eyes widened slightly, but she didn't interrupt, allowing Lucas to continue.

"I won't lie—it's been hard for me to accept that," Lucas admitted, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "But I've also realized that what you and Ace have is something special, something real. And as much as I wish things were different, I can't stand in the way of that. I won't."

Natalia felt a lump form in her throat, her emotions swirling as she listened to Lucas's heartfelt confession. She had always known that Lucas was charming, but seeing him so open, so mature in this moment, touched her deeply.

"Lucas..." Natalia began, her voice soft, "I never wanted to hurt you."

Lucas shook his head, offering her a reassuring smile. "You haven't hurt me, Natalia. If anything, you've helped me see things more clearly. You've made me realize that sometimes, the best thing we can do for the people we care about is to step back and let them find their own happiness."

Tears welled up in Natalia's eyes and she reached out to take Lucas's hand, squeezing it gently. "Thank you, Lucas. You don't know how much that means to me."

Lucas squeezed her hand in return, his smile bittersweet but sincere. "You deserve to be happy, Natalia. And so does Ace. I want you both to know that you have my support—whatever happens."

The sincerity in his words left Natalia momentarily speechless. She knew how difficult this must be for Lucas and yet, he was handling it with a grace that she hadn't expected. In that moment, Natalia felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and respect for him.

"Lucas, you're an incredible person," Natalia said, her voice thick with emotion. "I hope you know that."

Lucas chuckled softly, a glimmer of his usual charm returning. "I try, Jade. I try."

They stood there for a moment longer, the silence between them comfortable and understanding. Natalia knew that this conversation marked a turning point—not just for Lucas, but for all of them. His decision to step back and support her relationship with Ace was an act of true maturity, and it was something she would always be grateful for.

As they parted ways, Lucas felt a weight lift off his shoulders. It wasn't easy to let go, but it was the right thing to do. He had spent so much of his life chasing after fleeting pleasures, never really stopping to think about what truly mattered. But now, as he walked away from the ballroom, Lucas felt a sense of peace.

He had made the right choice.

From that moment on, Lucas decided to focus on his own path—on finding his own sense of purpose and fulfillment, both personally and professionally. He would always care for Natalia, but he knew that his future lay in discovering who he was beyond the charm and the Carrington name.

And as Natalia watched him go, she knew that Lucas's revelation had opened the door for her and Ace to finally embrace what they had been building all along—a relationship founded on trust, respect, and love.

The mansion's restoration was almost complete, but for Natalia and Ace, the real work was just beginning. And with Lucas's blessing, they were ready to face it together.

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