Aurora’s eyes darted away. “I… I was just busy with the studio. I knew you were busy too, so I didn’t tell you.”

“Aurora,” Lucas called her name with gentle affection.

The sound made her heart tremble.

She lifted her head in a fluster.

Lucas took her hand, his gaze soft as water. “No matter what it is, your matters are always the most important to me. With me, you will always come first. You don’t need to hold back.”

“Alright, I understand,” Aurora nodded seriously.

When she looked up, she met the tenderness in his eyes.

His gaze was like a deep abyss, and as their eyes locked, Aurora grew embarrassed.

Without realizing it, she was being pulled in.

It was just like the saying–when you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.

That was exactly how she felt under Lucas‘ eyes now.

She quickly turned her gaze aside, no longer able to keep staring at him. “It’s late. I want to go to sleep.”

“Wait.”

Lucas suddenly reached out and grabbed her arm, stopping her from leaving.

Aurora lowered her head, staring at his hand, a little at a loss. “What is it? Why so sudden?”

She still felt something was off with him tonight.

But she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

“Next time, no matter what it is, can you tell me in advance?” Lucas asked, his voice low, his eyes carrying even a trace of pleading.

Seeing him like this left Aurora uncertain.

So, she could only change the subject. “But… we’re both busy. I can’t expect you to spend all your time on me.”

In Aurora’s view, she and Lucas each had their own responsibilities.

They were two individuals with their own paths.

Even as husband and wife, she couldn’t expect him to revolve around her entirely, giving up his own life.

That kind of relationship wasn’t right.

But now, seeing the look in his eyes, she began to wonder if his way of thinking had been off from the start.

Were two people meant to restrain each other?

Clearly, that was what Lucas believed.

Looking at her intently, Lucas said, “But a husband and wife are supposed to be one. If you keep drawing such lines between us, does that mean… you don’t love me anymore?”

Aurora’s eyes widened in disbelief at his words.

She stared at him, unable to believe that this was coming from someone as aloof as him.

Normally, he was calm and composed no matter the situation, always giving a sense of security and control.

But hearing him say something so soft, almost like a plea, left her stunned.

“Are you alright?” After a long silence, it was all she could manage to say.

She truly didn’t know how else to respond.

She had never imagined that, in private, Lucas could actually act this way.

Lucas was momentarily caught off guard by her reaction, but then he couldn’t help but laugh.

“What do you mean, am I alright? I’m being serious with you.”

He stepped closer, one slow stride at a time, his eyes fixed firmly on her.