The soft glow of candlelight flickered between them, reflecting in Aurora’s wine glass as she swirled the deep red liquid.
The view from their table was nothing short of breathtaking—the city of Paris stretched out below, lights shimmering like fallen stars. The Eiffel Tower’s grand structure surrounded them, casting an air of romance and intimacy.
Aurora sighed, a small smile playing on her lips as she set her glass down. “I never thought I’d be here.”
Lucian leaned back, his expression relaxed yet observant. “You make it sound like you don’t deserve a break.”
She chuckled lightly. “Maybe I don’t.”
Lucian shook his head, taking a sip of his drink. &ldquo
Paris was alive—lovers strolling hand in hand, the soft hum of conversation blending with the city's rhythm.The scent of fresh bread from nearby bakeries lingered in the air, mixing with the faint melody of a street musician playing along the Seine.Aurora walked beside Lucian, their steps slow and unhurried as they made their way toward the Pont des Arts.The bridge glowed under the streetlights, its metal railings adorned with thousands of locks left behind by couples from all over the world. Some were new, their gold sheen untouched by time, while others were weathered, the names on them faded but still present, still there.She tilted her head, watching Lucian wi
“Do you like this?”Lucian held up a bracelet, the beads glinting under the market lights. The vendor had told him it could be customized with a name if the buyer wanted.But Aurora didn’t answer.Frowning, he picked up another one—similar but slightly more intricate, also handmade.“How about this?” he asked again.Still, nothing.Lucian turned, expecting to see her beside him, but the space where she had been standing was empty.His stomach twisted.“Aurora?” He called her name, scanning the crowded street.
The hotel room was quiet, but Aurora’s mind was anything but.She sat at the edge of the bed, her hands gripping the sheets, her thoughts tangled and fraying at the edges.The dim glow from the bedside lamp cast long shadows against the walls, but all she could see was the alleyway, the men’s leering faces, and the way her heart had pounded with fear—until Lucian appeared.Until he fought for her.She had never seen him like that before.Cold. Deadly. Efficient.He had taken down three men as if it was nothing as if he had done it a thousand times before.And Ethan
Aurora lay beside Lucian, her eyes tracing the sharp lines and softened edges of his face as he slept. His breathing was slow and steady, his expression peaceful—so different from the man who had fought for her just hours ago. She memorized every detail, committing them to memory.There was no doubt now—she liked this man.Her husband.A man was full of secrets.A man she still couldn’t fully trust.She had thought she’d never open her heart again after what Ethan did to her. But Lucian was different. He had shattered her defenses without even trying, making her feel things she wasn’t sure she was ready for.
The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the hotel room. Aurora stirred, her body instinctively seeking the warmth beside her. But the bed was empty.Lucian was already up.She blinked away the haze of sleep and sat up, stretching. Her eyes landed on him immediately—standing by the window, phone pressed to his ear, his body tense.Something was wrong.She slipped out of bed quietly, padding over to him. Lucian’s gaze flickered to her as she approached, but he didn’t say anything. His expression was unreadable.Then, his grip on the phone tightened.“Are you sure?”Aurora stilled, her heart picking up pace.Lucian listened for a few more seconds before muttering a sharp, “Understood,” and ending the call.“What is it?” she asked immediately.Lucian exhaled, rubbing his jaw. “It’s confirmed. Ethan really is in Paris.”Aurora’s eyes widened. She already knows about it because of Red, but she try to mask her reaction. “I knew it! It was really him last
The dimly lit room felt heavy with tension. Aurora could almost taste the scent of cigars and aged whiskey clinging to the air.The club’s private lounge was secluded—designed for deals made in whispers and sealed with blood.Across from her, lounging like a king on a velvet armchair, sat Ruel Gaviez—the son of the infamous Mafia leader, Rafael Gaviez. A lazy smirk tugged at his lips as he swirled a glass of brandy in his hand.His sharp eyes flickered between her and Lucian, amusement dancing in their dark depths.“So?” Ruel mused, taking a slow sip of his drink. “What can you possibly offer that’s greater than Ethan Calloway’s deal with us?”Aurora’s gaze darkened. “You met with Ethan Calloway.” Her voice was smooth, and controlled. “What was the deal?”Beside her, Lucian grabbed her arm. She turned, catching the warning in his eyes. But she didn’t waver. Instead, she stared at him with unwavering determination.Ruel raised a brow, the smirk never leaving his lips.“Straight to the
Lucian stormed out of the club’s private lounge with Aurora hot on his heels. The dimly lit hallway echoed with the sharp click of her heels as she chased after him, her frustration bubbling over.“Lucian, wait—”He spun around so fast she nearly collided with his chest. His eyes, usually so controlled, burned with an anger she rarely saw directed at her.“Do you know what you’re doing, Aurora?” His voice was low but sharp, cutting through the tension between them like a blade. “I thought you were going to listen to me!”Aurora squared her shoulders, refusing to back down. “I do know what I’m doing.”Lucian let out a humorless chuckle, running a hand through his hair. “Oh, really? Because from where I’m standing, you just promised Ruel Gaviez—the son of a goddamn mafia boss—something you have no control over.” His jaw tightened. “Do you even understand how dangerous that was?”Aurora took a step closer, her voice steady. “Lucian, trust me.”His expression darkened. “Trust you?”“Yes.
Ruel leaned back against the velvet couch, watching with barely contained amusement as Gabriel Jimenez sat beside Aurora. His presence alone commanded every eye in the room.Aurora, standing at the center of it all, was unreadable. Calm. Controlled. Like she had anticipated every second of this night.Lucian, however, wasn’t nearly as composed. His jaw was tight, his shoulders stiff—his gaze flickering between Gabriel and Ruel with suspicion.Ruel’s lazy smirk widened as he studied Gabriel. “So, you’re the Gabriel Jimenez.” He whistled, shaking his head. “I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting you to actually show up. I figured our lovely Aurora here was bluffing.”Gabriel barely spared him a glance. His attention was solely on Aurora.“I don’t like wasting time,” Gabriel said smoothly. “You asked for my presence, and I’m here. Now, let’s get to business.”Aurora turned to Ruel, her voice unwavering. “Give me Ethan Calloway.”Ruel raised an eyebrow. “Just like that?” He gestured lazily w
Aurora spent the morning distracting herself with plans for her son.It was easier that way — easier than thinking about Lucian’s words, his touch, the way he had looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered in the world.She pushed all of that aside and focused on something far more important: Loyd’s future.She had been putting it off for a while, unsure if she was ready for her little boy to take this next step. But after everything that had happened, she knew she needed to give him as much normalcy as possible — something stable and safe.And that’s why she found herself filling out forms and speaking with teachers at one of the most prestigious kindergartens in the city.
Aurora cried for the entire ride home.She sat in the backseat of her car, her face buried in her hands, as the weight of everything that had happened crashed down on her. She thought she’d been strong enough to face Lucian — thought she’d finally built the walls high enough to keep him out. But she was wrong.That kiss…It shattered everything.It shook her to her core, stirring up emotions she had spent years trying to bury. Anger, pain, longing — it all came flooding back, and no matter how hard she tried to push it down, it overwhelmed her. And worst of all… she hadn’t hated it.That scared her the most.By the time she reached the m
Aurora hurried toward the parking lot, her sobs breaking through the night’s stillness. She couldn’t believe her own reaction to what Lucian had done.He kissed her.And what made her even more furious — with herself — was that she had liked it.Something inside her had ignited the moment his arms wrapped around her, the second their lips met. It was as if she’d been transported back to a time when she hadn’t yet known about his betrayal. Back when she’d believed in him. Back when she’d loved him.God, she was so stupid.Why was she still letting him affect her like this? After everything he had done, after all the pain, how could he still have this kind of hold on her?
After the dance with Martin, Aurora stayed at their table, though she could no longer sit still. Every time she glanced around the room, her eyes would inevitably meet Lucian’s.The intensity of his gaze pinned her in place, and regret bloomed inside her — regret that she had come to this event at all."Still okay?" Martin’s gentle voice broke into her thoughts.Aurora turned to him, forcing a smile. "Yes. Don’t mind me."But Martin wasn’t convinced. He sighed quietly, his sharp eyes having long noticed the way Lucian’s attention never strayed from them."It’s him, isn’t it? Your ex-husband?"Aurora froze, the words like a cold
Martin Grey had been a constant source of support for Aurora while she was in the US. The moment he found out she was single, he wasted no time clarifying his intentions. But Aurora wasn’t ready — not yet. Her heart was still healing, and she told him as much, asking if they could just stay friends for now.But Carmela had other ideas. She kept pushing Aurora toward her godson, insisting that Martin was perfect for her.And maybe he was. But Aurora’s heart wasn’t so sure.Martin arrived right on time, his sleek black car gliding smoothly to a stop in front of Aurora’s mansion. When she stepped outside, his eyes widened with admiration, and for a moment, he looked completely stunned.“Wow,” Martin breathed, his gaze sweeping over
“Hey, babe! I’m so sorry I couldn’t join you two. I’ll make it up to you next time, I promise!” Rebecca’s voice came through the phone, warm and familiar.Aurora smiled. “It’s okay, Rebecca. You can visit him anytime.”Rebecca had called that afternoon to apologize for missing their day at Star City. Now, Aurora was getting ready for the party she was attending that night.Fresh out of the shower, Aurora sat in front of her vanity while the hair and makeup team she’d hired worked on her. She held her phone to her ear, listening to Rebecca rant as the stylist carefully curled her hair and applied soft, natural makeup.“That’s what’s so annoying!” Rebecca grumbled. “My dad forced me t
Aurora stood at the edge of the playground, the sound of children’s laughter filling the air.She was here to enjoy with her son and mother, and yet she still can’t forget the events of last night.She had seen Lucian again. And base of his reaction, he was as shock as her. She barely slept because of it.Aurora watched her son, Loyd, as he ran with the other children, his face lit up with pure joy. His small legs pumped furiously as he chased after a red ball, his laughter ringing out every time he got close but missed.Seeing him happy should have made her feel the same — and it did, to some extent. But there was still that heavy ache in her chest, one she couldn’t quite shake.&ldq
Back at his penthouse, Lucian stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his eyes fixed on the city lights that stretched far below him.No matter how much time passed, the ache never lessened. Not when it came to her.Aurora.He still couldn’t believe he had seen her again — and held her, even if only by accident.The warmth of her body pressed against his had been so familiar, so painfully familiar, that it had nearly shattered his resolve right there on that cold street. It had taken every ounce of strength not to beg her right then and there to give him one more chance.But the way she had looked at him…Cold. Distant.
Three years agoLucian walked out of the correctional facility, the heavy gates clanging shut behind him. Three years. He had spent three long years paying for his mistakes — not just to the law but to Aurora as well.He exhaled slowly, stepping fully outside. The first thing he saw was Alfred standing by a car, offering a reserved smile.Carrying a small bag with just a few clothes, Lucian approached him.“I didn’t expect you to be here,” Lucian said quietly.“I’m here to fetch you, sir,” Alfred replied with his usual calm demeanor, opening the car door for him.Lucian sighed and slid into the passenger sea