Chapter 366
The thought weighed on her. Aurora lowered her lashes, her expression softening into something faintly melancholic. But regardless of what she believed, or didn’t believe, about being Lucas’ so-called true love, she’d been treating him with nothing but care lately. She had even started making soup for him herself.
At first, Lucas hadn’t noticed. He just thought she was being more affectionate because of her feelings for him. But gradually, he started to sense something was off. That evening, when he returned home, the scent of slow-simmered broth drifted through the air—and there she was, standing in the kitchen, apron tied neatly around her waist, focused on the pot in front of her.
Lucas strode over quickly, his voice tinged with concern. “Why are you doing all this?” Aurora didn’t even look up. “I’m making you a nourishing soup. You’ve been running around so much. You need something good for your body.” “For my body?” he repeated, puzzled. “You think I need to be nourished all of a sudden? Why?” “No reason,” she replied lightly. “Just figured it’d be good for you to get some extra nutrients.”
Her hands moved steadily as she spoke, stirring with practiced ease. But Lucas narrowed his eyes, watching her carefully. “You’ve been awfully good to me lately. Too good,” he said after a pause, his tone probing. “Is something going on?” Aurora froze, the ladle suspended in midair. Then she let out a soft laugh and glanced at him over her shoulder. “Why do you sound so suspicious? We’re married, remember? Isn’t it perfectly normal for me to take care of you?” She raised a brow. “What, you don’t want me to treat you well?”
Of course he wanted that. But still, this version of Aurora felt different. It was not unpleasant, just unfamiliar. Yes, she’d always been kind in her own way, but she’d never done things like cooking meals, making soup, quietly anticipating his needs. This was new.
It warmed him, but it also made him feel like something was being left unsaid. And Lucas could feel it—there was more going on beneath the surface. Lucas reached over and turned off the gas without hesitation. Then he gently turned Aurora around to face him, his expression serious. “You don’t have to do all this for me.” “You can leave stuff like this to the housekeeper. There’s no reason for you to be doing it yourself,”
But Aurora was firm. “Didn’t you cook for me before? So, what if I want to do the same for you, just once?” She glanced down at the pot, then back at him. “Besides… I wanted to try something different. I wanted to take care of you and make sure you’re well.” Lucas frowned slightly. “I don’t need you to do these things. Just being with me, by my side—that’s enough.” Aurora blinked, caught off guard. She looked up at him, that too-handsome face unusually serious, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say.
Knowing how headstrong she could be, Lucas softened his tone and added, “I know you mean well, but you really don’t need to go through all this. What matters to me is your health—you, not the soup, not any of this.” He took her hand in his, his thumb brushing over her fingers. When he saw the tiny blister forming on her fingertip, his gaze darkened with concern. “See? You’ve hurt yourself. And the one who feels it the most is me,” He raised her hand and gently pressed a kiss to her fingertip, where the burn was. Aurora’s breath caught.
Chapter 366
Her heart stirred at the sight—at the tenderness in his touch, the softness in his eyes. For a second, the world quieted, and all she could feel was the warmth in her chest slowly spreading outward.