Aaron's eyes widened in shock. He quickly tried to explain, "No, wait, this isn't... I didn't mean..."

The more he tried to clarify, the less sense he made. He had just said it was all because of Lucas, but now Aveline was calling him a good person. What did that make Lucas? Aaron felt a chill run down his spine and looked at Lucas in a panic." Lucas, she's just talking nonsense..."

Lucas simply looked at him coolly.

Aveline said, "Mr. Fletcher, please rest well. We won't disturb you any further."

With that, she pulled Selena out of the room.

П

"Hey, don't go!" Aaron was so anxious he almost jumped out of bed.

What on earth was going on?

He looked at Lucas. "Lucas, I was trying to help you, I really was.

Lucas said, "You truly are a good person."

Aaron was speechless. He felt like dying.

Outside the room, Selena couldn't stop laughing. "Ave, you're brilliant! Did you see Lucas' face? It looked so upset. How satisfying!

Aveline remained calm. "I can see through their intentions. There's no need to play along with them."

Selena's eyes sparkled as she looked at her. "You've really stood up for yourself. You're no longer the pitiful one being controlled by Lucas." Aveline paused and then smiled bitterly.

In these small matters, she could stay rational. But when it came bigger issues, Lucas would still have control over her.

As long as they remained married, their relationship would never completely severed.

Selena said, "Come on, let me treat you to dinner."

Aveline replied, "You're about to spend the next few weeks taki care of someone else, and you still feel like treating me?"

Selena smiled. "You don't understand. This is called living in the moment. Who knows what will happen in the future? What if Aarc dies tomorrow? Then I won't have to take care of him." Aveline was speechless.

The two didn't go far and instead found a nearby pasta shop to din in.

Afterward, they returned to the hospital.This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

Selena went to inform Aaron that she would start taking care of hin the following evening since she needed to arrange time off work.

This time, Aveline didn't go into the room. She didn't want to see Lucas.

The hallway lights flickered on as she walked to the end of the corridor, looking out at the dark night with a cold expression.

Just then, she heard steady footsteps behind her. She paused and turned to see Lucas approaching.

Aveline frowned and started to walk away.

But he grabbed her arm and pinned her against the windowsill.

Aveline's eyes turned cold. "What do you think you're doing?"

Lucas replied, "Why are you avoiding me? Do you not recognize me?

Aveline sneered. "I wish I didn't know you."

If she didn't know him, she wouldn't feel so heartbroken and lost, living a life that didn't feel like her own.

Lucas' eyes deepened as he stared at her pale lips, feeling dissatisfied.

He leaned in to kiss her.

Aveline seemed to anticipate his move and covered her mouth with her hand. His lips landed on the back of her hand instead.

"Lucas,

Winter has depression. Aren't you going to divorce me yet?" Aveline asked.

Lucas didn't pull away. His lips stayed pressed against her hand, his eyes staring intently at her, and he started to kiss her hand bit by bit.