His shirt hung loosely in front, fluttering gently as he moved,

revealing his well-defined muscles. From Aveline's angle, she had a perfect view of his chiseled abs.

Her heartbeat seemed to quicken.

Lucas had already reached her and leaned down slightly, his handsome and sharp face holding a hint of a smile. "Not looking?" Aveline's face turned a deep shade of red. Then, as if a thought had struck her, the embarrassment and hesitation disappeared.

"So what if I look? We haven't divorced yet. You're my husband. I can look, and I can touch too!"

She reached out to touch his abs.

Hmm... they felt really good!

Lucas froze for a moment, her cool but soft hand on his muscles making them instinctively tense up.

A gleam of triumph appeared in Aveline's eyes. "Alright, it's late. Let's sleep."

She started to pull her hand back, but Lucas grabbed her wrist, leaning over and pressing her onto the sofa.

Aveline was stunned. "Hey, what are you doing?"

"You touched me," Lucas said.

"So what if I did?" Aveline blinked.

Lucas looked at her intently. "You think it's over after just a touch?"

What else?

Aveline's eyes clearly showed her confusion.

Lucas moved closer, his weight pressing down on her. "Ave..."

He murmured her name, his breath warm on her face. The atmosphere grew thick with intimacy and tension as if heading. towards an uncontrollable direction. But just then, a phone rang-it was Lucas' phone.

The sharp sound of the phone instantly shattered the intimate. atmosphere.

Aveline pushed him away. "Your phone is ringing."

Lucas' gaze was dark as he stared at her for a moment before standing up and answering the call.

"Sophia."

Hearing his words, Aveline bit her lip hard.

It felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her, bringing her to her senses abruptly.

What was she doing? If it weren't for the phone ringing, things would have spiraled out of control.

This shouldn't be happening. She shouldn't allow herself to keep falling like this.

After a short conversation, Lucas hung up the phone. His eyes were tinged with complexity as he looked at Aveline on the sofa.

"I have to go out."

Aveline's expression changed as she looked at him. "Does it have to be now?"

Lucas replied, "She's hurt. She needs me."

At that moment, it felt like her heart was being shattered into pieces,

leaving her in so much pain that she could hardly speak.

Og

de belonged to Sophia. It was her intrusion that had tarted their lives into a mess. She should have stepped back.

A sudden wave of bitterness rose in her heart.

"Lucas, what if I said I need you too?"Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Her clear eyes stared at him, filled with suppressed emotions.

Lucas' lips tightened into a thin line. "This place is safe. You won't be in any danger."

Aveline gave a bitter smile. What was she even doing?

The answer was obvious. From the moment he regained his memory, his heart had leaned towards Sophia.

"Alright." she nodded, then closed her eyes, refusing to look at him any longer.

The days in Larbor City felt like a dream. Now that she was awake, it was time to face reality.

As she heard his footsteps reaching the door, she spoke without any emotion, "Tomorrow morning, I expect you at the lawyer's office. Lucas, if you don't show up, there's no need for the divorce."