Chapter 247

“That’s her business. You don’t get to comment on it,” Lucas said sharply, his tone leaving no room for argument. He took a few bites of the food in front of him. “Clean up when you’re done.” With that, he turned and walked back to the bedroom.

Wendy stared at his retreating figure, her lips parting slightly in disbelief. She slammed her fork into her pasta, poking at it furiously like she was taking out her anger. Why couldn’t she even say one bad word about Aurora? She and Lucas had known each other since they were kids.

When Lucas got to the office, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Wendy staying at the house day in and day out wasn’t right. After all, it was the home he shared with Aurora–they were newly married, and having another person constantly around was far from ideal. The more he thought about it, the more off it felt. He picked up the phone and called Kenneth. But the line showed he was on another call. Lucas tried again, multiple times–same result. With no other option, he gave up trying to reach him.

Leaning back in his chair, Lucas went over everything that had happened recently. Come to think of it, ever since Wendy moved in, things had started to shift. Was Aurora jealous? His eyes lit up at the thought. It seemed like a very real possibility. He made up his mind that he’d talk to her tonight and figure out what was really going on. And if Wendy really was the problem, he could easily come up with a reason to send her away. He wasn’t about to let someone irrelevant interfere with what he had with Aurora. But with Aurora buried in her project, coming and going at all hours, she barely had time to breathe, let alone see him.

Left with no other choice, Lucas decided to wait that night in the guest room she usually slept in.

When Aurora got home from work, she switched on the lights as usual. Just as she was about to head for the shower, she suddenly noticed Lucas sitting upright on the bed, waiting for her. Her brows drew together. “What are you doing here?” “I was waiting for you.”

As he spoke, he rose to his full height and slowly approached her, his tall frame casting a looming shadow. “Waiting for me?” Aurora asked, puzzled. They hadn’t spoken much these past few days–what could there possibly be to talk about? But as she watched him draw closer, her frown deepened. “If you’ve got something to say, just say it. What’s with the theatrics?” Almost unconsciously, she began to step back.

Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly. He noticed the movement and his mood darkened instantly. “Are you afraid of me?” Aurora shot back immediately, “Why would I be afraid of you?” “Then why are you avoiding me?” “I’m not avoiding you,” she replied, but her eyes flicked away. Her body told a different story.

She’d been deliberately avoiding him, leaving early, staying out late, and doing everything she could to dodge any time alone with him. “You’re lying.” Lucas didn’t hesitate to call her out. He reached forward and caught her slender wrist, stopping her retreat. “If that’s true, why are you still backing away?”

His gaze was sharp and unreadable, locked on her every movement, as if he could see straight through her. Under that intense stare, Aurora couldn’t help but flinch. “It’s none of your business. Let go of me.” She struggled against his grip, trying to break free. She’d been working all day, completely drained.