Chapter 248

But Lucas refused to let go.

He struck first, voice firm. “Is this about Wendy? Is that why you’ve been mad at me?”

Aurora almost laughed out loud, completely exasperated. She decided to stop hiding, to say what she really thought.

“So, you do know.”

Her eyes locked onto his, unwavering. She didn’t even know how to face him anymore.

After all, this had always been a gamble from the start. She never expected anything in return. But ever since she found out about his so-called true love, she realized that she couldn’t stay indifferent to him. That quiet affection she’d kept buried was beginning to stir again.

And the moment Lucas saw the emotion in her eyes, he froze in surprise—then was completely overwhelmed with joy. She was jealous? That meant… she had feelings for him too. It wasn’t one-sided.

“Ro-Rora,” he stammered, a little breathless. “Do you mean it? You’re mad because of Wendy, aren’t you?”

Aurora could tell how happy he was, which only made her want to push back harder. She didn’t want to give him that satisfaction so easily.

“What does it matter?” she said coolly. “I’ve said what I needed to say. Do you really need me to spell it out?”

But Lucas wasn’t letting it go. Without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. His voice trembled slightly, filled with emotion. “No, Rora—tell me for real, okay? I want to hear you say it.”

That did it. Aurora was beyond fed up now. She finally saw him for what he was, completely intentional in all of this. Otherwise, why keep pushing her to say it?

She shut her eyes, drew a sharp breath, and decided—fine. If he wanted to hear it, she’d give it to him. All of it.

“Yes,” Aurora snapped, her voice rising. “This is our home. You brought someone else in without even thinking how I’d feel. If you two are so close, why don’t you just move out and live with her? I…”

Before she could finish, Lucas leaned down and captured her rambling lips in a sudden, breath-stealing kiss, his heart swelling with relief and joy. So, she did care.

Aurora’s breath hitched as he kissed her, stealing the air from her lungs. She couldn’t even catch her breath. But to Lucas, it was like finding water in the middle of a desert—he couldn’t get enough, didn’t want to stop. In that moment, nothing else mattered. Not the fights, not the misunderstandings—only her.

By the time he finally pulled back, Aurora’s lips were flushed and swollen, soft and trembling under the aftershock of his kiss. Her breath came unevenly, and Lucas stared at those rosy lips, his gaze darkening with desire.

“Silly, don’t you know how to breathe?” he murmured, voice low.

Aurora stared at him, stunned. “How was I supposed to breathe when you ambushed me like that? Who told you I’d ever do something like that with you again?”

She covered her lips with her hand, glaring at him in disbelief.

Lucas stood there shamelessly. “You, of course. But don’t worry, next time, I’ll teach you how to breathe properly,” he added with a smirk.

Lucas spoke with an easy, cheerful tone, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement. Even his brow carried a hint of laughter.

Aurora huffed coldly and turned away, ignoring him altogether. She never realized before just how much of a tease Lucas could be.

Seeing her reaction, Lucas patiently added, “Rora, don’t worry. There’s nothing going on between me and Wendy. We only met in the first place because of her brother. Back then, I was just a kid playing along, taking her with me because she tagged along with him.”