Lucas' hot breath fell on Aveline's shoulder, his lips trailing kisses across her soft skin. Her earlobes, tender and sensitive, trembled under his onslaught.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

"Lucas, I don't want to..." Aveline's voice was hoarse.

Even though her body responded to him, her heart resisted. To her, intimacy was only beautiful when their hearts were in sync. But between her and Lucas, there was a chasm that made touching him feel like touching a porcupine-painful.

Lucas' breath was hot, his eyes focused intently on her. "Aveline, are you planning to tease me and then leave me wanting?"

Aveline closed her eyes, her lashes trembling. "Give me some time."

Lucas scoffed, flipping her over so she lay beneath him. "How much time do you need, hmm? Don't forget, we're married. As my wife, it's your duty to satisfy me!"

Those words felt painfully familiar. Aveline's face paled,

remembering she had once said the same to him. Now, it was her

turn to hear them.

Lucas, frustrated, kissed her fiercely. The intensity made Aveline wince, and as she tried to resist, Lucas took advantage, deepening the kiss. His kiss was so passionate and intense that Aveline found it hard to breathe.

Her body melted in his hands, becoming pliant and warm.

"Do you still not want this?" Lucas' voice was husky.

Aveline felt embarrassed. Her body was too sensitive, trembling

with a deep-seated desire that she couldn't voice. Lucas watched her, savoring her discomfort.

He was waiting for her to ask for more.

Aveline bit her swollen lip, her eyes dazed and misty as she looked at him. Her body burned with need, but her heart felt cold. Perhaps he was only interested in her body. When he grew tired, their relationship would end.

Despite these thoughts, Aveline still resisted.

Because the man in front of her was someone she had once loved deeply.

"I'm tired," she said.

"Fine." Lucas laughed coldly, rolling off the bed and heading straight to the bathroom.

Aveline's breathing was a bit rapid. She closed her eyes, curling up and hugging herself. She felt miserable, uncomfortable... but she just didn't want to.

The sound of running water continued for a long time. When Lucas came out, he didn't get back into bed. Instead, he left the bedroom entirely.

A moment later, she heard the engine of his car starting up.

Aveline's eyelashes fluttered, and she closed her eyes again.

He was gone.

Maybe that was for the best.

The next day.

Aveline arrived at the studio.

Maria gave her a big hug. "Ave, you're our studio's hero!"

Aveline was confused. "What happened?"

One of her colleagues, Vivian Walker, sneered. "What do you think happened? Those people found out about your connection to the president of DK Group, and they're all sending projects our way."

She looked at Aveline with a mix of jealousy and bitterness. "Since you're so familiar with the president of DK Group, why didn't you introduce projects earlier? Our studio could have thrived much sooner." Maria glanced at Vivian but said nothing.

Aveline then realized that after she left the party with Desmond the night before, people had started speculating about her relationship with Lucas.

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