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 airport–he’d seen her.

“Why didn’t you reply to my message?” he asked, ignoring her request.

There was no way she hadn’t checked her phone since the afternoon.

The only explanation was that she had seen it–and deliberately chose not to respond.

Aurora avoided his gaze. She didn’t want to answer.

“My phone died,” she said quietly, lowering her eyes.

“It’s late. Please move. I want to rest.”

Lucas’ dark eyes locked onto her face, trying to catch even the slightest hint of jealousy or anger.

But there was nothing.

She was perfectly calm.

The realization stirred a flicker of panic in Lucas’ chest.

He clenched his jaw, unable to stop himself. “Did you go to the airport today?”

Aurora’s eyes flashed before she let out a soft laugh. “What exactly are you trying to say?”

“What do you think I saw?”

She held his gaze, steady and unflinching. “I was there to receive a client. If anything was seen, shouldn’t the question be what you were doing?”

The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them.

It sounded petty, like she was a bitter wife, jealous and clinging.

But she wasn’t.

She just found it laughable that he’d even ask.

Lucas stepped closer, the tension in him tightening with every inch.

Her words lit a slow-burning fire in him.

Aurora didn’t flinch. “What are you trying to do? I told you–I’m going to bed.”

“Rora, I can explain.”

Lucas leaned in, his voice low by her ear, his eyes sincere.

He didn’t want misunderstandings hanging between them.

Whatever it was, he’d rather face it head-on.

But Aurora saw no point.

Their marriage was only a shell.

His explanation wouldn’t change anything, and she didn’t care enough to hear it.

“There’s no need to explain. I’m not interested,” she said, turning her head aside. “Whether I saw it or not doesn’t matter… does it?”

Her gaze met his, cool and unwavering.

Lucas stared at Aurora’s face, and a sudden jolt hit him deep in his chest.

If she had been angry–if she’d yelled at him, argued, made a scene–he might’ve felt less shaken.

But she was so calm that it left him at a loss for words.

He reached out, wanting to take her hand.

But she pulled away, refusing to let him touch her.

“I’m tired,” Aurora said simply.

With that, she walked right past him and left the kitchen without looking back.