Aveline sat cross-legged in the living room, hugging a pillow as she watched TV.The warm, soft light illuminated her, casting a gentle glow over her, making her look like a serene figure in a painting.Lucas entered that painting.He had shed his suit jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, meticulously cleaning the dining area and kitchen before joining her.Sitting beside her, his gaze shifted to the television. It was a historical fantasy drama with impressive costumes and solid acting. She seemed thoroughly engrossed.Lucas, however, was far less interested in the show. His eyes drifted back to her face. He thought, rather than watching TV, there were much more enjoyable things they could be doing.”Have you thought about it?” he asked, his deep voice cutting through the dialogue between the male and female leads on the screen.Aveline’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. “After I finish this episode.”Lucas chuckled softly, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.She tensed for a moment, then gradually relaxed against him.The episode ran for 45 minutes, during which Lucas even chimed in occasionally with comments about the plot.For the first time in a long time, there was an unexpected tranquility between them, a gentle warmth that seemed to flow between their two bodies.Lucas felt a fleeting sense of illusion-like this was their everyday life, filled with calm moments and a deep bond.When the episode ended, Aveline took the remote and switched off the TV. She set the pillow aside, then unexpectedly straddled his lap and pressed her lips to his, almost mechanically, without a trace of emotion.Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly, watching her, letting her take the lead. Her kissing had improved; he could see traces of his own influence.As her tongue brushed against his lips, his hands moved, one cupping the back of her head, the other steadying her waist, deepening the kiss.Outside, the night had fully fallen, and the stars began to sprinkle across the darkened sky.The room was filled with a charged, ambiguous tension. Even though they were sharing the most intimate of acts, their hearts seemed separated by an unbridgeable chasm. When it was over, Aveline was exhausted.Lucas carried her to the bathroom, washed her gently, and helped her into her nightclothes.Back in bed, she stretched out her hand again. “Give it to me.”Lucas pressed her hand back down. “It’ll be in your email.”Hearing this, Aveline finally felt at ease, closing her eyes to sleep. “You can leave now… and remember to lock the door.” Lucas was speechless.He suddenly wondered who was truly getting the better end of this arrangement-him or her?Thinking about the way she had seemed lost in the moment, he fell silent, pondering. But then again, how many more times would he get to be this close to her? He should savor each chance. Leaning down, he kissed her forehead softly. “Goodnight.”Then he stood up and left.The door clicked shut, and Aveline opened her eyes.In the darkness, her gaze was sharp, like the walls around her heart were starting to crumble, bit by bit.The next morning, Aveline checked her email.It contained all the evidence the entire chain of events of the arson and the drugging, with Juliet’s involvement clearly highlighted.She couldn’t help but wonder, if she presented these facts to the Cooper family, would they believe it?After all, Juliet was the daughterthey had nurtured and cherished forso max Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the (ƒ)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.years. Would they really bewilling to cast aside all those years of devotion?
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