"What's wrong?"

Lucas averted his gaze and said blandly, "Nothing."

Aveline found his behavior puzzling. After eating only half a bowl of oatmeal, she put down her spoon. "I'm full.”

Lucas pushed a bowl of soup towards her. "Drink this, or I won't let you sleep.

Aveline frowned, showing her reluctance. However, Lucas' words. carried enough authority that she picked up the spoon and started drinking.

Throughout, the meal, Lucas' intense gaze never left her, making her uncomfortable. She sighed in exasperation and said, "I'm still sick. Can you stop staring at-me like that?" Lucas scoffed lightly. "Isn't it you who's trying to seduce me?"

Aveline's eyes widened instantly. "Me... seduce you? What nonsense are you talking about?"

How could she possibly be seducing him?

Lucas' gaze drifted to her chest with a hint of amusement.

Aveline looked down and saw her nipples protruding through her thin. nightgown. Her face flushed with embarrassment. She quickly covered her chest and got up to leave. Oh no! She had come out without wearing a robe! No wonder he had been staring at her!

Even though they had already been intimate, Aveline still wished she could disappear at that moment from sheer embarrassment.

Back in the guest room, she sat on the bed, trying to calm down.

Lying down, her cheeks felt impossibly hot.

#15 BONUS

This feeling was so strange.

In the living room, Lucas only looked away once her figure had

completely disappeared. He called someone to come up and clear the table before sitting at the desk to work.

However, every so often, when he thought of her embarrassed expression, a faint smile would appear on his lips.

Night fell.

Aveline slept again and woke up in the middle of the night, her thirst rousing her from slumber. Groggily, she reached for her water cup, only to find it empty.

This time, she wisely put on a robe before stepping out to refill the cup. To her surprise, the living room light was still on.

Lucas was still at the desk, working. Hearing the noise, he looked up, his dark eyes deep and brooding.

"Feeling better?" he asked.

Aveline nodded. "Much better."

She poured herself a glass of water and sipped it slowly.

None of them spoke another word.

As Aveline held her cup, ready to return to her room, she glanced at him. He was wearing a bathrobe, the light casting a soft glow on his hair. He leaned back, rubbing his brow, his sharp profile both cold and captivating, but with a hint of weariness.

Almost without thinking, she said, "If you're tired, you should rest." It was already 1 AM. He could always work again in the morning.

Lucas turned to look at her and asked, "Have you made up your mind?"

Aveline froze. "I've been asleep the whole time. I haven't had time to think about anything."

Lucas replied, "Then think about it now. You have five minutes."

Aveline was speechless, almost laughing in frustration. Did he really think she could decide something so significant in five minutes? What was he thinking?

"Four and a half minutes left."

His voice interrupted her thoughts again.: owner of this content.

Aveline turned and started back towards her room, but just then, the doorbell rang.

Lucas stood up, but instead of answering the door, he walked towards her.

D