Watching the scene unfold, Lucas felt a flicker of dissatisfaction. He was beginning to think it might be time to have a serious conversation with Kenneth about his sister’s entitled behavior. But before he could dwell on it, Wendy switched gears with surprising ease. She held up a shirt with a bright smile. “Lukey, look at this one! I think it’s perfect for you!” She grabbed a matching tie and pair of pants. “And this tie and these trousers—now it’s a full set!” Lucas gave them a once-over, his eyes narrowing slightly. They were exactly his style—simple, sharp, and the kind of clothes he usually wore. Just as he was about to pay, Wendy beat him to it. “I’ve got it. Lukey, this is my gift to you.” For some reason, that warmed him more than he expected. After all, even Aurora had never really bought him anything like this. "Alright," he said, a rare trace of softness in his tone. "Looks like you’ve grown up." Wendy grinned and leaned in playfully. “Of course I have
When Joseph Hunt brought his first love to the birthday banquet, Aurora Walton knew she had lost.In the corner of the room, she glanced at the messages from her mother, Grace Williamson."Aurora, you lost.”"Three years, and Joseph still doesn’t love you. As agreed, it’s time for you to come back and take responsibility."Out of the corner of her eye, Aurora looked at the girl in Joseph’s arms.This was the first time she had seen Joseph’s first love.She was pure, with a soft and gentle demeanor, quiet and serene. Even in cheap clothing, she stood out effortlessly.So, this was the type Joseph liked.A faint bitterness spread across Aurora’s lips.She suddenly remembered four years ago when a bold socialite flirted with Joseph and confessed her feelings. He lazily flicked his cigarette, his eyes holding a trace of detached amusement as he smirked, "Sorry, lady, I like girls who are quiet and ordinary."At the time, Aurora was secretly in love with Joseph for two years.However, Grac
Aurora didn’t linger in Westbridge for long. She only stayed in the city for Joseph, but now that she had graduated and he had someone else, there was no reason for her to remain. That night, she booked a flight home to Ravenshore. When she stepped off the plane, Megan Quinn was already waiting for her. "This time, are you staying for good?" "I am." For years, Aurora spent most of her time chasing after Joseph, rarely returning to Ravenshore. Her time with Megan had been scarce. But now that the bet was lost, she had no reason to leave again. Megan heard about what happened with Joseph and couldn’t help but sigh. Still, she only smiled and looped her arm through Aurora’s. "Forget the bad luck. Tonight, we celebrate."Aurora returned her smile and didn’t refuse. Megan took her to the most exclusive club in Ravenshore, ordered the finest drinks, and threw her a single-life party. One drink in, and the frustration Aurora had been carrying for years finally started t
Megan had always found her cousin a little intimidating. The moment she got into the car, she stayed quiet, not daring to say a word. Inside the vehicle, the silence felt oddly heavy. Aurora’s gaze drifted to the leather-wrapped rosary bracelet around Lucas’ wrist. There was something familiar about it, but with the alcohol clouding her mind, she couldn’t quite place it.Still, a hazy memory surfaced as she recalled the first time she had ever met him.Years had passed, yet he remained just as striking, his presence just as commanding. Megan’s house was close by. After dropping her off, Lucas continued driving, now heading to Aurora’s hotel. With just the two of them left in the car, his voice suddenly broke the silence, casual yet unreadable. "Planning to stay in Ravenshore?" "Yeah." Aurora hesitated for a moment before nodding. They weren’t particularly close, so after that brief exchange, the silence quickly returned. The air conditioning was on full blast, and
How did he know about her and Joseph? The thought flashed through Aurora's mind, but she simply smiled and said, "No, Lukey. It's just that you've had your fun too, so let's just leave it at that." She blinked, though a hint of guilt still lingered inside her. Lucas was different. Brilliant, accomplished, and famously unattainable, he was like the cold moon hanging high in the sky. She had committed a sin. Aurora cursed silently in her heart. Lucas flicked the ash off his cigarette. He didn't confirm or deny it—his gaze simply darkened."Whatever," he said coolly. Aurora let out a quiet breath of relief. After getting dressed, she left the hotel and took a cab back to the Walton estate. Just as she got into the car, a short distance away, Judy caught a glimpse of her and froze for a moment. Then, biting her lip, she tugged at Joseph. "Joseph, I think I just saw Miss Walton." "Aurora? What would she be doing here?" Joseph frowned slightly. This was a five-sta
Aurora remained calm. "Don't worry, I’m done with Joseph. But since I’ll be taking over the Walton family, my marriage should at least be stable. I’d rather choose someone I don’t dislike." Grace had never approved of her being with Joseph. Part of it was her disdain for Aurora allowing emotions to cloud her judgment.The other reason was that the Hunt family was a direct competitor to the Waltons. Though the Hunts weren’t as powerful as the Waltons, they were still considered rivals. In truth, when it came to marriage, Grace wasn’t overly controlling. She wasn’t as invested in Aurora’s affairs as she was in Tessa’s. Her sharp gaze swept over Aurora, assessing her for a moment. "Fine, you can choose whoever you want to marry, but a bet is a bet. Don’t let me down, Aurora." Aurora nodded. Grace had other matters to attend to and turned to head upstairs. Now, only Tessa and Aurora remained in the living room. Though they were sisters in name, their relationship had a
For the first time, Aurora found it hard to reconcile the man before her with the one in her memories—the man who once comforted her, over and over, when she was temporarily blind. Back then, after the earthquake, Joseph had saved her, staying by her side and reassuring her as they waited for rescue. That was why she had been devoted to him for so long. But she never imagined that the man who accompanied her through the darkness would turn out to be so arrogant and cruel. "Aurora, a woman should have more self-respect," Judy said with a sigh, her expression one of helpless understanding, as if she were generously tolerating a clingy, unreasonable ex-girlfriend chasing after her boyfriend. Aurora was just about to set the record straight when, suddenly, someone leaned in and whispered something to the manager. The manager’s expression shifted. He turned to Joseph, his tone polite yet firm. "Apologies, Mr. Hunt, but your membership invitation has been revoked. You are no lo
When he mentioned Megan, Aurora’s lips curled slightly. If she really went through with this marriage, she couldn’t imagine how Megan would react. But then again… Lucas’ face alone made it hard not to waver. She needed to marry someone she didn’t dislike, someone with good character. Honestly, Lucas was the best option. Aurora’s red lips curved into a smile as she blinked playfully. "Lukey, I don’t think I have a reason to say no." "Then tomorrow at 10 a.m., at the city hall," Lucas said, meeting her gaze. Aurora nodded. It seemed he had other matters to attend to, as he turned to leave. But just as he was about to step away, he paused. His brows furrowed slightly, his tone casual but pointed. "About Joseph Hunt…" "It’s over," Aurora lowered her gaze, recalling Joseph’s arrogance earlier. "Don’t worry, I’m not the type to go back to an ex." Only then did Lucas turn and walk away. Aurora watched his retreating figure, feeling an odd sense of disbelief. She was
Watching the scene unfold, Lucas felt a flicker of dissatisfaction. He was beginning to think it might be time to have a serious conversation with Kenneth about his sister’s entitled behavior. But before he could dwell on it, Wendy switched gears with surprising ease. She held up a shirt with a bright smile. “Lukey, look at this one! I think it’s perfect for you!” She grabbed a matching tie and pair of pants. “And this tie and these trousers—now it’s a full set!” Lucas gave them a once-over, his eyes narrowing slightly. They were exactly his style—simple, sharp, and the kind of clothes he usually wore. Just as he was about to pay, Wendy beat him to it. “I’ve got it. Lukey, this is my gift to you.” For some reason, that warmed him more than he expected. After all, even Aurora had never really bought him anything like this. "Alright," he said, a rare trace of softness in his tone. "Looks like you’ve grown up." Wendy grinned and leaned in playfully. “Of course I have
After the server brought over the extra pudding, she bent down with a patient smile and started chatting with Nora. She gently reminded her not to eat too much at once, saying she could finish this one and come back next time for more. If she liked it, they’d be happy to have her again. In the warm sunlight, the delicate lines of Aurora’s profile seemed to glow, especially when she spoke to Nora—her whole face lit up with a soft, heartfelt smile. Leonard found himself staring, momentarily dazed. His heart skipped a beat without warning. Inside the restaurant, everything else faded into the background. In his eyes, there was only Aurora and his little sister. The warmth in Aurora’s voice, the kindness in her expression—it all made the corners of Leonard’s mouth lift, almost involuntarily. Maybe it was time for Nora to have a little more contact with the outside world. …“Lukey, you’re always working,” Wendy pouted, her full lips forming a perfect little frown, the innoce
No matter what Aurora said, Nora remained quiet and unresponsive, her expression blank. She clutched a bunny plush in her arms and kept herself hidden behind Leonard, entirely in her own world. Even so, Aurora showed no sign of frustration. If anything, her eyes softened with even more sympathy. Leonard couldn't help but speak up. "Aurora, it’s alright. You should go ahead and eat. Don’t worry about my sister. I’ll take care of her. If she wants to eat, she’ll eat." Seeing how patient Aurora was made Leonard feel a little embarrassed. Part of him was surprised. But he couldn’t help but wonder—was Aurora really this kind and compassionate, or was it just a front because of their business partnership? With that thought lingering, he gave her a more thoughtful look. Aurora returned to her seat, a little reluctantly. At first, she’d wanted to get close to Leonard for work reasons, to build a stronger partnership. But now, after seeing what Nora had been through at such a
Aurora thought for a moment and said seriously, "He's quite nice, very warm and friendly. But I think he has a younger sister, and her situation is a little... unique." She chose her words carefully and eventually settled on “unique.” She didn’t know the specifics yet, and she hadn't met Leonard’s sister in person. Grace mulled it over. "Alright. Try to learn more about his situation. Leonard is a promising business partner, so keep an eye on that." "Got it." With that, Aurora left the chairman’s office. As soon as she returned to her own office, a message came in from Leonard: "I took my sister to the place you recommended. It’s the first time I’ve seen her eat so much." A faint smile appeared in Aurora’s eyes as she read the message. She replied, "I’m glad she liked it. I know a lot of places that are fun for kids too. We can check some out when there's time." "That sounds perfect. I’m free this afternoon. Are you, Miss Walton?" Leonard replied quickly. Aurora c
When Lucas returned to the bedroom, he finally noticed Aurora was nowhere in sight.He searched the entire place before finding her in the guest room.Aurora had clearly made up her mind.She wasn’t going to sleep in the same bed as him tonight.Now that his true love was back, it only made sense to draw the line in their marriage.The image from earlier that day still lingered in her mind, and every time she looked at Lucas, a wave of discomfort rose in her chest, especially knowing those hands had just touched another woman.Lucas stood at the door, his lips parting slightly, as if wanting to say something. But in the end, he said nothing at all.His fists clenched, a wave of helplessness washing over him.Just last night, they had been wrapped up in each other.Tonight, a wall divided them, and so did the silence.The next morning, Aurora got up early.After washing up, she left for the office without even acknowledging Lucas.Normally, she would have breakfast, prepared by him, but
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
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
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
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