Chapter 156

“It’s fine. No need to explain.”

Aurora looked at the two of them standing together—the tall, striking man and the delicate, sweet-looking woman beside him. They looked oddly well-matched.

In that moment, it felt like something hollowed out inside her. She couldn’t even describe what she was feeling.

Wendy stepped forward, her eyes quickly scanning Aurora’s face, a flicker of jealousy passing through them. Then she smiled and said sweetly, “So you’re back, my dear sister-in-law."

“Don’t get the wrong idea. There’s nothing between Lucas and me. We’ve known each other since we were kids. He brought me home because I didn’t have anywhere else to go.” Her hand was still linked around Lucas’ arm as she glanced up at him, urging him to speak. “Lucas, go on and explain things to her. She looks really upset.”

“Since childhood?” Aurora raised an eyebrow.

That one sentence lit a fire in her chest she couldn’t quite suppress.

Wendy blinked innocently. “Of course. Didn’t Lucas ever mention me to you?”

Lucas sensed something was off. He pulled his arm free and moved toward Aurora, trying to explain.

“And what exactly would your Lucas need to explain to me?” Her voice was calm now, the fire in her eyes banked beneath a layer of ice. That calm, controlled elegance and distant, untouchable grace had slipped back into place. And Lucas knew her too well not to recognize it for what it was. The calmer she seemed, the worse it actually was. In these past days together, he’d come to understand that much.

Wendy’s eyes turned red at the corners as she put on her best innocent act. “You sound so scary. If you don’t want me staying here, I can talk to Lucas about leaving.”

Aurora looked at the woman before her, and things began to click. So, this was it—this overly pretentious woman was probably his so-called true love. That could be the only explanation for why he never mentioned her. He called her his sister? More like a “sweetheart-in-disguise.”

She glanced over Lucas again, her gaze tinged with disdain. So, this is your taste in women? You really thought bringing someone like her home would get a rise out of me? Pathetic, she thought.

“And what exactly about this scares you?” Aurora gave a short, humorless laugh. Just a few words, and Wendy had painted herself as the picture of innocence.

“I know you’re upset, but Lucas was only worried about my safety out there…”

Lucas chimed in quickly, “She’s just staying here for a little while, Aurora. She’ll leave after some time.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Aurora said firmly, her voice cool and wavering. “Your childhood sweetheart can stay as long as she likes. I’ll go. I'll make room for the two of you.”

Wendy could barely contain her delight, the corners of her mouth twitching with barely hidden glee.

But Lucas immediately tensed. He strode over to Aurora and reached for her hand. “Aurora, let me explain, please.”

Wendy’s gaze locked on their hands, her jealousy nearly tangible. Still, she added fuel to the fire, voice soft and pitiful. “Please don’t be mad at Lucas. It’s all my fault. I don’t want to cause trouble between you two. I’d feel so guilty if I did.”

Lucas’ head was spinning, and when he saw the faint, readable smile on Aurora’s face, panic set in.

“Enough!” he snapped. Turning sharply to Wendy, his tone was cold and commanding. “The room at the end of the hall is yours. Go there. Stay there. Do not come out."

“Lucas, L…”

“I said enough!” Lucas cut her off, his voice like steel. “Are you deaf, or do you just not care what I say anymore?”

Chapter 157