Divorced

Aveline struggled fiercely, but Lucas‘ arms were like iron clamps, holding her tightly, leaving her no room to break free.

“Let go of me, Lucas, let go of me!”

Her voice was hoarse, her eyes reddening, and her entire body trembled in his embrace.

Lucas only held her tighter. “Never, Aveline. I will never let you go in this lifetime. I’ll hold you like this until you’re willing to accept me again.”

His warm breath brushed against her neck, and tears blurred her vision. His scent was one she knew so well, one she had once depended on deeply–it was etched into her very soul, impossible to forget.

At this moment, being held by him eased some of the fear in her heart, though she hated herself for feeling this way.

He had been so cruel, so why did she still feel so attached to him?

Her emotions gradually settled. She closed her eyes, her voice now raspier, “I’m fine now. Let go of me.”

Lucas slightly loosened his hold, creating some distance between them, but didn’t immediately release her. He studied her expression, and only when he saw that she was truly calm did he slowly let go.

“I’m not comfortable leaving you alone at home. Either you come to my place to rest, or I’ll stay at yours,” Lucas said in a deep voice.

Aveline looked up at him, anger flashing in her eyes. “Lucas, don’t push

it!”

He raised an eyebrow. “How am I pushing it? I’m not asking to sleep with you. Besides, sleeping with you isn’t unreasonable–we’re husband and wife.”

+25

Aveline frowned. “We’re divorced.”

Lucas‘ eyes darkened. “Once married, always married.”

Aveline was speechless.

How could someone be so shameless? He didn’t listen to a word she said, insisting on his own logic!

Aveline didn’t want to continue arguing. She turned and pressed the elevator button, her voice cold. “Don’t come over, and I won’t go to yours. I’ll be fine on my own.” ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Lucas replied, “I said, I’m not comfortable with that.”

The elevator doors opened, and Aveline stepped inside. Lucas placed his hand on the door, staring at her intently. “Your silence–is that your way of telling me to come over?”

Aveline still didn’t speak, but the resistance in her eyes remained strong.

Lucas knew he couldn’t push her any further, so he sighed and said, “I won’t go into the master bedroom. I’ll stay in the living room or the guest room. Aveline, I’m genuinely worried about you.”

Hearing this, Aveline glanced at him, her eyes filled with obvious doubt.

Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Have you forgotten what the doctor said to me?”

His mention of it only made things worse–Aveline’s expression turned even colder. The mere thought that he’d discussed such an intimate issue with a doctor left her reeling. And to top it off, he’d come back with a solution? She felt suffocated just considering it.

The elevator started beeping in warning, the sound grating on her

nerves.

“Lucas, I need my personal space,” she said, clearly irritated.

Lucas nodded. “I understand, so I won’t enter the master bedroom.”

Aveline was speechless.

That was as good as saying nothing.)

Annoyed, she snapped, “Just come in already.”

She couldn’t stand the elevator alarm any longer.

Lucas‘ lips curved into a faint smile as he released his hold on the door and stepped inside.

Back at her place, Aveline headed straight to the master bedroom. After locking the door, she went directly into the bathroom.