"Don't scream," a deep, magnetic voice commanded, and Aveline's struggles ceased abruptly.

It was Lucas.

Strangely, her fear began to dissipate.

She stopped struggling, though her breathing remained rapid, and her body continued to tremble slightly from the residual fear.

Lucas released his hand from her mouth, his sharp, handsome features cold in the dim light. "Aveline, did I give you permission to resign? This counts as absenteeism!"Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Aveline's eyelids fluttered briefly.

"Then just dock my pay," she replied.

Lucas' face twisted in anger. He gripped her neck, forcing her to look, directly at him. "Why did you sell the house?"

Aveline didn't like this position.

She tried to push him away, but he was too strong. "The house is mine. I can do whatever I want with it. What does it have to do with you?"

Her clear, indifferent gaze irritated Lucas even more, igniting a fiery rage within him. He had been trying to contact her, but she blocked him.

Now, she wouldn't even look at him properly.

How dare she!

He tightened his grip slightly. "Aveline, we're not divorced yet. You can't dispose of marital property without my consent!"

Aveline's anger flared.

She started hitting and kicking him wildly. "Lucas, are you insane?

Since you know we're not divorced, should I hold you accountable for openly cheating on me? Did you think about our marriage when you announced you'd marry Sophia right in front of me? You're the worst kind of scumbag, and I-"

Before she could finish, Lucas crashed his lips onto hers.

His hot breath enveloped her, and his cool scent invaded her senses. He used his tall frame to pin her against the wall, making it impossible for her to resist.

"Mmph!"

Aveline struggled, shaking her head to avoid his kiss, but Lucas tightened his grip on the back of her head, deepening the kiss with fierce intensity. It was as if her taste had driven him wild, turning him into a beast. Their breaths became erratic, and her vision blurred as she struggled to breathe.

After what felt like an eternity, Lucas finally ended the storm-like kiss. His touch softened as he gently traced the contours of her lips, savoring her breath and how it stirred his emotions.

"Stay with me these few days when I'm here. No one will dare bully you," Lucas said in a hoarse voice, his other hand already around her waist, pulling her close as if he wanted to merge her with his very being.

"Get lost!"

Seizing the moment of his lowered guard, Aveline pushed him away and slapped him hard across the face.

"I don't want to be anywhere near someone who kisses so poorly!"

Without waiting for his reaction, she hurried away, her steps unsteady. As the cold wind hit her outside, Aveline realized what she had done, her hands trembling slightly. But deep down, she felt a satisfying sense of relief.