Aurora's eyes widened slightly. Now she understood why Tessa had insisted they all take a glass of wine. This wasn’t about making peace—it was just the opening move. The entire front of Lucas’ chest was soaked. With a loud clatter, the tray hit the floor. "I'm so sorry, sir! I didn’t mean to… I’m really sorry, are you alright?" the server stammered. The commotion instantly drew everyone's attention, heads turning toward them. Before Aurora could say a word, Tessa stepped forward and began scolding the server. "How are you even working here? You can’t hold a tray of drinks properly? You still want your bonus this month? Who’s in charge of you?" Aurora frowned at her sister’s performance, something about it feeling deeply off. "That’s enough, Tessa. What’s the point of yelling at him? What’s done is done." Tessa slapped her forehead, as if only now realizing that. "You’re right, I’ll take Lucas to change clothes right away. “Good thing Julian brought a spare suit. If y
"Sister, everyone’s watching right now," Aurora said calmly, her tone even but edged with warning. "So let me say this one last time, stop testing my limits. Like earlier... you must know why the seam on my gown was coming loose, right? I’m sure you have a pretty good idea." She looked at Tessa with deliberate ease, waiting to see how she’d respond. "I..." Tessa’s gaze wavered. She couldn’t meet Aurora’s eyes. She’d assumed Aurora hadn’t noticed the little trick she pulled earlier—that was why she’d acted so brazenly. But clearly, Aurora had just been saving it for the right moment. Julian, meanwhile, also recognized the server who’d caused the spill. Wasn’t that the same man Tessa had whispered to earlier? His eyes narrowed slightly. So, his fiancée wasn’t quite the gentle, graceful woman people claimed she was. How interesting. Tessa’s evasive eyes didn’t go unnoticed. Her guilt was written all over her face. No one here was stupid.After seeing this, how coul
The moment those words left Grace’s mouth, it hit Tessa like a bolt of lightning. How could she not understand what her mother truly meant? It was obvious now that Grace had started to doubt her. She must have believed at least some of what had been said. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have handled her this way. "No... no, please, Mom. I don’t want to rest... I just want to stay by your side," Tessa pleaded, voice trembling, eyes filled with tears. But Grace turned away, refusing to even look at her tear-streaked face. Aurora stood to the side, a faint, cold smile tugging at her lips as she watched the drama unfold. On the surface, it looked like their mother had taken a stand and punished Tessa. But Aurora saw through it. This wasn’t justice—this was protection, plain and simple. If Grace truly wanted the truth, there would’ve been a proper investigation, not this quiet dismissal. Aurora’s heart sank. Even now, even after everything, Grace was still shielding Tessa.
After finishing a glass of wine, Lucas noticed the intense look in Aurora’s eyes. And somehow, he instantly understood what that look meant. He reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. Their bodies pressed together, breaths mingling—each exhaling into the other’s space. Aurora stared at his handsome face and instinctively swallowed. The desire surging in her.She must have been drunk. That had to be the reason she was craving this man so strongly. "Rora, you…" Before he could finish, Aurora quickly turned her head away. "I’m fine. I’m just a little drunk. Everything’s a bit fuzzy right now." She hadn’t forgotten that they were still out in public. Lucas could tell she was feeling shy. That faint blush at the base of her ears wasn’t from drinking. She might not even realize it, but whenever she got shy, her ears were always the first to turn red. Lucas had noticed that habit not long after they started seeing each other. "Why don’t we he
Lucas stared at the delicate curve of the earlobe in front of him, unable to suppress the desire rising inside him any longer.He lowered his head and took it between his lips, trailing kisses along it…His hand slid along Aurora’s back as his tall frame leaned in and engulfed her completely.Her soft moans spilled out uncontrollably, only to be swallowed entirely by Lucas as the passion between them deepened, tangled, and intensified…Between a man and a woman, intimacy was the most intoxicating thing of all.And that night, their desire unfolded naturally, without restraint.…The next morning.Aurora’s body ached all over, especially her lower back, which throbbed with soreness.She glanced to the side, but Lucas was already gone.She muttered under her breath, "What a beast."He had his fun, pulled up his pants, and disappeared without a word. He didn’t even leave a single message—who knew what urgent matter had come up.Aurora climbed out of bed to look for something to wear.The
Leonard noticed something off about Aurora and followed her line of sight.A delicate, lively young woman fluttered like a butterfly into the arms of a tall man."Lukey, I knew you’d come!" she exclaimed, dashing toward Lucas with uncontainable joy in her eyes.Amidst the crowd, the two embraced as if no one else existed around them.It was like a scene straight out of a film—beautiful, moving, and unreal.Aurora’s hands slowly clenched at her sides, her red lips pressing into a thin line.The pair embracing before her were her husband and a woman she didn’t even know.Watching them, she couldn’t quite describe what she was feeling.So that was Lucas’ true love?She really lived up to her expectation. She was pure, radiant, and looked like a princess untouched by the world.The tenderness in Lucas’ gaze was something Aurora rarely saw.He usually gave off a distant, cold aura—most who met him would describe him as aloof.But with the girl in his arms, Aurora could clearly see a softnes
His right hand kept checking his phone from time to time, hoping to see a reply from Aurora. Behind him, Wendy complained, "Lukey, why are you walking so fast? I can’t keep up!" Lucas glanced at the unread message on his screen, irritation bubbling under the surface. But when he turned around to face Wendy, his expression remained calm and polite. "Alright, I’ll wait for you." Even after they got into the car, Aurora still hadn’t replied. Sitting in the driver’s seat, Lucas felt uneasy. Had Aurora seen what happened earlier and misunderstood? On Aurora’s side, she was having lunch with Leonard, but her mind was clearly elsewhere. Her thoughts were still spinning with the image of Lucas and his so-called true love. When lunchtime came, the two only shared a simple meal. Then Leonard seemed to remember something and casually asked, "Miss Walton, do you know that person at the airport earlier?" With a loud clatter, Aurora’s spoon fell into her bowl. Her eyes widened s
Aurora saw Lucas’ message. She just didn’t know how to respond. What did he and his so-called true love have to do with her? The more she thought about it, the more pointless the message seemed. Lucas didn’t owe her any explanations. Their relationship was just for appearances anyway. Why take it so seriously? When Lucas returned home, Aurora happened to be in the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water. The moment she heard the door, her gaze flickered slightly. She knew exactly who it was. She downed the water in one go and turned to head out, planning to wash up. But as she moved, she found herself blocked in the kitchen. Lucas stood in the doorway, tall and broad, completely sealing off her exit. Unless he moved, she wasn’t going anywhere. Left with no choice, Aurora stopped and asked, a little wearily, "Move. I need to wash up." Lucas looked at her, seeing through her calm exterior as if it were glass. He knew it hadn’t been a mistake earlier at the airp
All it did was make Aurora feel like her past self had been unbelievably naive.But Joseph kept going, oblivious to her discomfort. "Those were our best memories. I still remember the first time you blushed, the way you looked in that white dress—so sweet and shy. “You were always so gentle and soft when you were with me… it was such a beautiful time."As he spoke, he watched her face closely, searching for some flicker of emotion.But to Aurora, hearing those words from him made her skin crawl.The more he went on, the more irritated she became. Her expression turned colder by the second.She reached for her phone, ready to call a ride. Staying here any longer felt like a direct assault on her intelligence.Joseph noticed the gesture. That was when it hit him—she hadn’t been listening to a single word he said.And in that moment, he felt like a complete fool.He had poured out his heart, and yet this woman—this ungrateful bitch—could still be so heartless.His eyes darkened. He
Aurora’s anger ignited the second those words left his mouth.Without hesitation, she slapped Joseph hard across the face, her voice sharp and cold. "What the hell is wrong with you?"This is still Walton Corporation, and you think you can throw a fit right here? Whether I talk or not is none of your damn business. Try worrying about yourself."The slap caught Joseph completely off guard. Before he could react, Aurora had already snatched her phone back.He clutched his cheek, momentarily stunned, not even sure where to look.Rage overtook him. "You bitch! You actually hit me!"Aurora raised her chin defiantly. "So, what if I did? You brought it on yourself."Joseph couldn’t stand the smugness in her expression. Grinding his teeth, he snapped, "You think you can just cut me off like that? It’s not gonna be that easy!"Aurora, we were together for three years. Don’t forget, I’ve seen everything. You're not afraid I’ll send it all out?"His threat made Aurora pause, eyes narrowing as s
After all, this was a choice, and a gamble, Aurora had made for herself.Even if she lost the bet, she knew she'd have to deal with the consequences on her own.She pulled out her phone, opened the ride-hailing app, and was just about to book a car when a voice laced with fury and bitterness cut through the air."Aurora Walton, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?"The sudden sound startled her. She hadn’t even noticed someone standing nearby.Steadying herself, Aurora looked up, only to be met with Joseph’s face, dark and twisted with resentment."Well, look who’s changed careers," she said dryly, unable to resist the jab.Joseph blinked, caught off guard. "What’s that supposed to mean?""Nothing much. Just surprised to find a clown performing right outside my office," Aurora said casually. "Now move. Stop blocking my way."At that, Joseph’s expression twisted. The fresh style he’d worked so hard on couldn’t hide the rage contorting his face. "What the hell does that mean? I ca
"Judy, I know things have been tough on you lately. Go ahead and pick out whatever you want."With a grand gesture, Joseph handed her a bank card. "You know the PIN. If it’s not enough, just let me know."Judy was momentarily stunned by the gesture, caught off guard by the sudden generosity."Joseph, you’re so good to me."He pulled her into his arms. "You’re my woman. If I don’t treat you well, who else should I treat well? Go to the mall this afternoon. Don’t come back until you’ve spent it all."Judy leaned into him, looking blissfully content. She could only hope all her previous doubts were just in her head.After sending her off, Joseph got himself styled up and prepared to head to Walton Corporation to see Aurora.The more he thought about things, the more stifled he felt.That spiteful woman—Aurora had kept things from him for three whole years. It had to be intentional.There hadn’t been a shred of trust between them—that was what made being with her so exhausting, and what
The two of them were laughing and chatting, and in Lucas’ eyes, they looked exactly like a family.A flush of red crept into the corners of his eyes as he forced himself to suppress the emotions surging in his chest.He told himself over and over to stay calm and trust Aurora.But watching the scene through the glass, he felt like he was on the verge of losing it.The image of a handsome man, a beautiful woman, and an adorable little girl was the perfect picture of a family. No matter how he looked at it, that’s exactly what it seemed to be.Jealousy churned inside him, bubbling to the surface with every breath he took.In the end, he could only turn and leave.Even though anger simmered beneath his skin, he was still standing near Walton Corporation. He reminded himself that Aurora would give him an explanation.“What if he was only a working partner?” he reasoned, trying to hold on to that thought.…Meanwhile, Joseph paced anxiously in his apartment.He dragged a hand through his
"Yes, our GM’s been busy coordinating with a new project partner. She already left for lunch, probably eating at one of the restaurants nearby."The receptionist answered Lucas’ question without holding anything back.He gave a small nod in thanks and turned to leave.Glancing at his still-silent phone, a flicker of unease crept into his chest.It appeared that Aurora was still upset.He stepped out and wandered around the nearby restaurants, checking one after another. With all the people casting glances his way, he reluctantly pulled on a mask and got back in the car, driving slow laps around the area.Honestly, he hadn’t expected much—just hoped he might get lucky and run into her.But then, through a restaurant’s glass window, he caught a glimpse of a familiar smile.At first, from a distance, he wasn’t sure if it was really her. After all, she was sitting across from a man and a little girl.When he rolled the window down for a better look, the uncertainty vanished.It was Auror
But Lucas wasn’t falling for her tricks anymore. His face remained cold as he said, "Stay a couple more days if you want, but once you're done having your fun, go back.""You’re kicking me out?"Wendy stared at him in disbelief, her face full of shock. They had known each other since childhood—was that bond really worth nothing now?Lucas stayed unmoved, firm in his stance.No matter how much Wendy pouted or begged this time, he didn’t say another word.In the end, the whole scene ended in frustration, with Wendy stewing in her own anger.Lucas had no appetite left either. Grabbing his coat, he headed out the door.Ever since Wendy arrived, he’d realized he needed to reevaluate his relationship with Aurora. He couldn’t keep treating it so casually.Wendy watched his retreating figure, her fists slowly clenching, eyes wide with fury.She had no idea what kind of spell Aurora had cast. Even after acting that smug, Lucas still indulged her.He even cooked for her.Wendy had never see
When Aurora got up, she saw Wendy sitting at the dining table, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Lucas."Wow, Lukey, I didn’t expect to taste your cooking again today. I’ve missed it so much!"Wendy exclaimed dramatically, "You have no idea, the stuff overseas is practically inedible. None of it tastes right. Home is still the best. And especially Lukey’s cooking."But Lucas remained expressionless. "Don’t touch anything. Wait till your sister-in-law gets up."Wendy pouted but, under his gaze, reluctantly put down the piece of fried egg.From the corner of her eye, she saw Aurora.The woman didn’t say a word. She just stood there quietly, like an outsider watching it all unfold.Wendy then walked over to her and, feigning intimacy, hooked her arm through Aurora’s. "My dear sis-in-law, look at all the delicious food Lukey made. Don’t stay upset anymore."If you ask me, you really are lucky. Lukey’s looks and background are both top-tier, and he even knows how to cook. Isn’t that the
Lucas watched Aurora’s retreating figure but didn’t follow. He knew what she needed right now wasn’t more pressure, but space to cool down. If he pushed too hard, it would only make things worse. His fists clenched tightly at his sides. Only when the guest room door slammed shut with a loud bang did he snap out of his daze. Letting out a long, heavy sigh, he turned and headed toward the master bedroom. Meanwhile, in the guest room, Aurora sat in silence, unable to shake the frustration tightening in her chest. She had told herself from the very beginning to never believe a man’s promises. She and Lucas had always been about mutual benefit, and nothing more. And yet, something had started to shift. Something she hadn’t accounted for. Things were slipping out of her control, veering in a direction she didn’t expect and wanted.She raised a hand to her chest, fingers pressing lightly against her heart. That steady thrum felt more and more unmanageable. Why had she go