“Since I have to meet a client tomorrow, I came back early to get things ready.”

Aurora handed her bag to Lucas, and he took it naturally, hanging it up as if it were second nature. Her delicate nose twitched as she drew in the aroma. “What are you cooking? It smells amazing.”

Lucas chuckled. “All your favorites, little foodie. These are the dishes you’ve mentioned before. I had some free time today, so I made them all for you.”

Warmth spread through Aurora’s chest. “How are you this thoughtful? Do you really remember every casual thing I say?”

“Of course. I treasure you because I love you.”

Aurora froze, caught off guard.

She glanced at his handsome profile, surprised. He had never spoken so plainly before; he kept everything locked inside rather than say it aloud. Hearing him now left her a little shaken.

“You… why are you being so…” She didn’t finish the question, but Lucas understood. His lips curved into a smile.

“After watching you lie in that hospital bed for a month, unable to move, I finally realized what truly matters to me. I don’t want a life full of uncertainty. I’d rather cherish what I have and say what I feel.”

His words struck deep, and Aurora found herself agreeing.

After everything they had been through, they had grown closer, more mature, and perhaps even more in love than before.

She wrapped her arms around his lean waist, feeling the strength of his body and the steady comfort it gave her.

“How much longer will you be busy?” she asked softly, her voice carrying a faint nasal lilt.

Hearing that tender tone, Lucas’s heart stirred with rare excitement. “Not long. Just need to finish the soup.”

“Alright then, hurry up. I’ll be waiting.”

Aurora released his waist, intending to head to the bathroom to wash her hands.

But the next second, his arm wrapped firmly around her slender waist.

Lucas lowered his head and caught the lips he had longed for, unerringly and without hesitation.

Aurora’s eyes widened in shock, her heart skipping a beat.

She instinctively pressed a hand against his solid chest, but he gave her no chance to resist.

Instead, he deepened the kiss, taking the sweetness he felt belonged to him.

With a helpless sigh inside, Aurora gave in to him. After all, it wasn’t as if she didn’t enjoy it too.

By the time she was nearly breathless, Lucas finally released her, reluctantly.

Aurora shot him a playful glare. “Enough. The food’s going to get cold.”

“That’s fine. I can always heat it up again.”

Desire still lingered in Lucas’s eyes, making it clear that compared to dinner, he had found something far more tempting.

Aurora was startled by that look. Flustered, she quickly found an excuse. “Alright, I’m starving. I need to eat first.”

With that, she slipped off to the bathroom to wash up.

Watching her retreat, Lucas couldn’t help but shake his head, muttering inwardly that she always chose to run when things got intense.