Semua Bab LOVE BEYOND THE PAIN: Bab 51 - Bab 60

Gian groaned in frustration. He quickly grabbed Aurelia’s hand, which had been wandering a little too far. Within seconds, his body shifted, no longer lying face down.Aurelia, caught off guard by the sudden movement, let out a small cry as her body slipped from Gian’s back. But before she could actually fall onto the mattress, Gian’s strong arm caught her, pulling her in so that she ended up on top of him while he lay on his back.“Why?” Aurelia asked, feigning innocence, her breathing slightly uneven.Gian didn’t answer. His sharp gaze stayed fixed on his wife’s face. Slowly, his hand moved up to her cheek. His thumb and forefinger brushed lightly across her lips, as if measuring just how much temptation she had been offering moments earlier.“You’re trying to tease me, aren’t you?” Gian whispered, his voice low and rough.Aurelia let out a soft laugh. Her lips curved into a challe

“Forget it.”That was what Aurelia said that night, her voice trying to sound steady. “Sorry if I crossed a line. My mind started going somewhere strange. Let’s just drop it.”She quickly closed her eyes, as if ending the conversation before her heart could completely fall apart. Still, she noticed Gian shifting beside her. He turned over until they were facing each other. No words followed, only a soft, warm kiss pressed to her forehead.The next morning, the air felt a little brighter. Traces of last night’s rain still clung to the leaves, but the sky looked clear. On campus, Aurelia tried to organize her thoughts. She greeted the day with renewed energy, determined to keep herself busy.At the cafeteria, she sat with Wulan and Doni, two friends who always had a way of making everything feel lighter, or at least more ridiculous.“What else should I do to find some free time,” Aurelia said, poking at

“I already ordered your favorite. Aurelia ordered the same thing,” Kirana said with a bright smile as Gian appeared in front of them.Gian gave a short nod. “Thank you.” Then he lowered his head politely and kissed the back of his mother’s hand. “How are you, Mom?”“I’m well. It’s good to see you,” Mrs. Lestari replied with a small smile.After that, Gian turned to Aurelia and kissed her right cheek. It was warm, but it felt more like a formality than the affectionate greeting it used to be.“Have you been waiting long?”Aurelia shook her head. “Not long.”Gian pulled out a chair and sat beside his wife. Lunch began. The dishes started arriving one by one, delivered quickly by the waiters.Still, the atmosphere felt strange. The food smelled wonderful and the restaurant was pleasant, but there was a stiffness in the air that no one could hide.Gian noticed it. He was fully aware of the way his wife kept glancing quietly toward Kirana and his mother.Kirana, meanwhile, looked completel

“I don’t want you getting the wrong ideas.”That was the second ambiguous sentence her handsome husband had thrown her way. It only made Aurelia’s brow furrow even deeper.“My phone password,” Gian finally said. He gave Aurelia’s cheek a quick kiss afterward, then pulled the phone from his pocket and handed it to her.Aurelia chuckled and dropped into the chair Gian usually used in his study. Confidently, she typed in a number. The screen vibrated softly, followed by a notification: PIN incorrect.“Why isn’t it working?” she asked suspiciously. “I’ve tried twice already.”“It’s not our wedding date, sweetheart. It’s the day we truly became one.” Gian lifted both eyebrows playfully, his smile utterly teasing.Aurelia laughed and turned her face away, pretending she was not interested. The blush creeping across her cheeks betr

It felt like tiny needles pricking slowly against her skin. Not painful in a physical sense, but sharp enough to make Aurelia’s chest tighten. The discomfort seemed to spread, creeping from her stomach to the back of her neck, leaving her body caught between heat and chill.Aurelia knew this feeling all too well: a mix of irritation, disbelief, and bitterness. It was as if someone were dancing right in front of her, deliberately stirring the flames of jealousy she was trying so hard to hide. She knew she should not feel this way. She trusted her husband. She knew Gian was loyal, sincere, and that he loved her. But as a woman, she also understood exactly how other women could nudge another woman’s emotions with a touch so subtle, yet so lethal.Aurelia responded with a faint smile, almost invisible. But deep inside, she knew a small spark had begun to burn.Meanwhile Gian, who was pouring mineral water into his glass, calmly cut into the conversation.