Lucas lowered his eyes, concealing the emotion as he said quietly, “I know what you mean, but it’s not the same as seeing you in person.”

A phone call could never compare to the warmth of holding someone close, and he knew the difference all too well.

“I’ll be back soon,” Aurora reassured him again. She couldn’t help wondering when she’d discovered that Lucas could be so clingy. She had always thought that as the head of such a powerful company, he would be rational, composed, and self-contained. After all, a man who had weathered the storms of the business world for so many years should have been decisive and controlled. Yet before her, he was like a child.

At that moment, Aurora couldn’t even describe her feelings. Lucas’ love for her was overwhelming, almost too intense to bear all at once. Still, she chose to keep his affection quietly in her heart. Even knowing how deeply he loved her, she understood that they both had their own careers and responsibilities. Neither of them could afford to stand still while the other moved forward. If one stopped growing, they would eventually drift apart. And with Lucas’ prominent identity, Aurora worried even more. Every move he made was under public scrutiny. If people ever learned that the woman beside him was stagnant and unambitious, the gossip would be relentless – questioning how she could possibly be worthy of him.

Aurora had always been a long-term thinker. That was exactly why she had been able to stand firm in the business world. After leaving the Walton Corporation, she had faced countless predators in the industry yet managed to fight back against every one of them – proof enough of her strength. She wasn’t some fragile little thing waiting to be saved – she was a lioness, fierce and sharp, with instincts and vision of her own. In the corporate jungle, there was never room for two predators at the top. Since the Walton Corporation could no longer contain her, Aurora would carve out new territory of her own and rule it entirely. She had never liked sharing the results of her hard work with anyone. After everything that had happened with the Walton Corporation, she understood her place more clearly than ever. She would never again let herself be controlled by others.

Chapter 1494

+25 BONUS

Soon, her luggage was packed and ready. Looking at the two full suitcases, Aurora felt an unexpected emptiness inside. And when she saw Lucas standing nearby, watching her with those pitiful puppy eyes, she couldn’t help but laugh.

“Alright, it’s not like I’m never coming back. It’s only a few days,” she said helplessly, pressing a hand to her forehead.

The moment she finished speaking, Lucas stepped forward and wrapped her in a tight embrace. So tight it felt as though he wanted to press her right into his bones. Aurora could barely breathe. “Why are you hugging me so hard? I can’t even catch my breath,” she protested.

But before she could say another word, everything she meant to say was swallowed up. Lucas lowered his head and captured her lips in a sudden, burning kiss. Her breath hitched, and her eyes widened in surprise.

“Mm-” she let out a muffled sound, stunned by how bold he was this time.

Then Lucas gently covered her eyes with his hand, his voice low and teasing. “You’re not supposed to keep your eyes open when you’re kissing.”