Author’s pov
"Lucas! Who is this woman?" A tall, slender, and stunning woman with vibrant red lips asked Lucas. She had arrived with him in his car, and they stood together in front of Lucas' grand mansion. She wore an alluring white gown, clutching a silver handbag in her right hand and chewing on a busy bubblegum. Aurora, Lucas' wife, opened the door to warmly welcome her husband home from work, only to be shocked to see her husband standing with another woman.
Initially, Aurora found herself in disbelief, struggling to comprehend what she was witnessing. Her first instinct was for her husband to quickly respond and proudly introduce her as his wife. However, he hesitated, leaving her wondering why he took so long to answer. Was he trying to spare this lady's feelings due to the disapproving expression on her face? The moment felt like a slow-motion scene from a movie, and all Aurora could do was wait for Lucas' reply.
Aurora couldn't help but wonder, "Who is this woman?" Little did she know that this would be the moment her world would shatter.
"Marian, she is my wife," Lucas finally spoke up.
"Your wife? Fat? Oh no! Lucas," Marian exclaimed, raising her voice and shaking her head in disappointment. "This is why you never invited me to the wedding. You broke my heart, Lucas. You've let me down this time. Please take me to my room."
"Marian, listen," he firmly held her hand, "you need to show some respect to my wife." His voice grew louder. "She is my wife, and I love her. Is this the reason you wanted to visit me?"
As Aurora witnessed first hand how her husband stood up to defend her, the look of inferiority vanished from her face. Seconds before her husband said those words, she was heartbroken by his slow reaction, she now felt reassured by his words. It reaffirmed that he was by her side, and her confidence returned. Aurora's legs seemed to propel backward in anger, as if she wanted to quickly retreat to her room after the agonizing seconds of waiting that felt like an eternity.
Marian was shocked by Lucas’ words and she looked at Lucas, and suddenly said,
"Take me to my room," she demanded, gripping the handle of her luggage as if it were the luggage itself that she was angry with.
As they were about to enter the house, Aurora stayed behind to lock the door. Marian's visibly furious demeanor was evident from the forceful strikes of her heels on the floor. Aurora thought to herself,
"She is so arrogant. Who does she think she is?"
Upon reaching the sitting room on the first floor, Aurora couldn't find Lucas and the woman. Filled with curiosity, she turned around, trying to discern their voices with her ears. Instead of ascending the stairs, she quietly moved towards the direction of the guestrooms, where she overheard her husband's voice. As Aurora stood closer to the door, she could hear the woman speaking angrily.
"I am disappointed in you, Lucas. Were you forced to marry her? I know you, Lucas. You have a kind heart. Did you marry her out of pity? You never loved chubby girls while we were growing up. She is too overweight to cry out loud. You always had a weakness for slim ladies like me. Leaving me doesn't mean you should settle for anything. How does she even arouse you in bed?"
"Stop, Marian, stop it! Stop saying such things about my wife," Lucas interjected, his voice filled with anger. "Her virtue captivated me, and we have been living in peace and love since we got married. Watch your words. The woman you are talking about is my wife, not someone else. I admit I made a mistake by not inviting you to my wedding, but it was you who left in the first place and got engaged. You shouldn't have done that."
Aurora, whose heart had been troubled by the lady's remarks, felt a sense of relief upon hearing her husband's response. She closed her eyes and took a silent deep breath. From the woman's words, it became evident that she and Lucas had a past relationship. Standing there, Aurora was about to learn about her husband's history.
"Stop, Lucas, before you delve into something you can't handle. Just so you know, Dennis and I have broken up," Marian revealed. The room fell silent as they looked at each other. It took Lucas by surprise, and Marian suddenly kissed him. Lucas was momentarily captivated by the kiss, but he quickly regained his senses, pulling away and creating distance between them. They continued to gaze into each other's eyes, the room charged with unspoken emotions.
"You've found a better kisser. You never used to pull away from our kisses. At least let me enjoy a moment since we separated. I ended things with Dennis mainly because of you. No one has ever touched me the way you did, with the love we shared in the past. If I had known you were married, I would have settled for Dennis and never compared you in my mind."
Aurora, standing outside the room, contemplated whether they were kissing or had just kissed. She wondered if she should push open the door and intervene.
Lucas remained silent, making Marian increasingly uncomfortable. She cautiously approached him, maintaining a reasonable distance this time. Her face displayed sorrow as she spoke,
"I'm sorry I followed Dennis, but you know everything, and now is not the time to assign blame. I am truly sorry, please forgive me," Marian pleaded.
Lucas could sense the weight of sorrow in her voice, and while Marian believed he was still angry, she added, "I said I'm sorry," her voice softening as tears streamed down her face. Lucas subconsciously pressed his toes against the floor trying to control his emotions. When Lucas continued to remain silent, Marian wiped away her tears, took a deep breath, and said,
"Clearly, this isn't the right place for me to stay. My surprise visit to you is causing me more pain than what Dennis did. Let me go and stay at my grandmother's place, and allow my wounded heart to heal." Marian turned to retrieve her luggage, but just as she was about to turn completely, Lucas reached out and held her right hand.
"Why are you holding my hand? You're married and have no business with people from your past," Marian protested, anger evident on her face.
"I want you to stay. I'm not chasing you away," Lucas replied.
"If I stay, there will be a condition," Marian stated.
"What condition? And how long do you plan to stay?" Lucas became curious.
"Apparently, you didn't hear me clearly when I said I've broken up with Dennis and left him with his company. Right now, I'm single and jobless. I want you to hire me as one of your employees in your company," Marian suddenly smiled and playfully swayed her hips.
"If you no longer want me, I'm sure there's a handsome man out there who would love to have me and fulfill my desires." She turned around, giving Lucas a glimpse of her slender figure, before stylishly facing him again. "Sorry for asking again, and I apologize if it offends you, but tell me, how does it feel when your friends and business partners see your wife with you? Don't you feel a sense of shame? Oh, sorry, I'm talking too much. Let me go and organize my clothes in the wardrobe." Marian walked over to her luggage, opened it, and began arranging her clothes.
"Oh, I forgot I'm at home now. I need to change out of my dress," she remarked. Marian returned to Lucas, turning her back to him as she simultaneously unzipped her gown.
"Please unhook my bra. It's something you used to enjoy doing."
Lucas hesitated for a moment but reluctantly unhooked her bra.
"You're acting like you don't want to do it anymore. Oh... sorry, you're a married man now," Marian chuckled as she walked back to the wardrobe to change her dress. Lucas, witnessing this, pulled himself away from the wall, intending to leave the room. He didn't want to be there while she changed her gown.
"Why does she want to change her clothes in front of me?" Lucas thought.
"Staying here will only stir up past feelings for her."
"You seem to forget that you were the first guy I let unhook my bra, the one who took my virginity after prom night when we were both scared to see blood," Marian giggled, expecting Lucas to respond. However, all he did was smile and say,
"My wife deserves an apology for what you said to her at the doorstep."
"What if I don't apologize?" She turned, dropping her smiles, and hoped to win Lucas over with her gaze.
"Then you will have to leave," he said with utmost seriousness, holding the doorknob as he awaited Marian's response. Meanwhile, Aurora sensed her husband's proximity to the door and immediately left for her room.
“Are you serious? If humiliating me in front of your wife is what you need, and if that's the only way to stay, then I'll do it..."
Lucas opened the door and closed it, not wanting to hear what she had to say. He could hear her kicking her luggage in frustration.
Upstairs in their bedroom, Aurora stood in front of the mirror as soon as she arrived. She touched her cheeks and noticed they had filled out, and her hands showed signs of weight gain. She had always had a naturally fuller figure, and she remembered what Lucas had said when they got married. He surprised her with a statement while she was preparing her résumé.
"I don't want you to work. I will provide everything you need."
But staying at home and indulging in whatever she pleased had caused her to gain even more weight.
"Why didn't Lucas want me to go out and work? Is he ashamed of me? Is it because he doesn't want his staff and business associates to see me, apart from his few friends who come here?" she wondered, observing her fuller breasts. "What does he expect from me when he asks me to stay at home? Once he comes into this room, I will not only suggest that I want to work in his company, I want to follow him to his office tomorrow."
When Aurora heard Lucas's footsteps, she quickly left the mirror and sat on the bed, and then Lucas entered the room.
"I didn't like the way your guest spoke to me," she said, frowning.
"Didn't you see how I confronted her? She definitely will apologize to you," Lucas replied.
"When is she leaving?" Aurora asked.
"Are you trying to get rid of her? She hasn't even spent a night here, and you're already asking when she's leaving. I understand how you felt about the way she spoke to you, but she will apologize," Lucas reassured her. However, thoughts of both Lucas and Marian's conversation kept popping up in Aurora's mind, making her even angrier.
"Darling... What is stopping me from working at your company? I am going with you to work tomorrow.”
"Are you bringing this up because of Marian? She is an old friend who had issues with her relationship. What did I tell you when we got married? Is there anything you lack?" His voice grew louder, and the room fell silent as Aurora's gaze fell to his feet. When he saw that Aurora wasn't pleased, he stormed out of their room in anger, heading straight to his private room, which he had never slept in since getting married, and sat on the bed.
"Why does my wife insist on reminding me of my painful past?" He stood up, waited a minute, and entered the bathroom, his heart pounding uncontrollably. He quickly emerged from the bathroom, went to the shelf, swallowed two anxiety pills, and sat down again, lost in thought.
"My mother was a victim of rape so many years ago during a business meeting, which led to my birth and her subsequent death due to depression. Every time Aurora expresses her desire to work, it brings back painful memories, imagining her in such meetings. How can I effectively convey to her that I have no desire to entertain her request any further, considering the harm inflicted upon my mother during a business meeting? The memory haunts me. How can I tell her that I am a child born out of wedlock, or in other words, a bastard?"
Author’s pov The next morning, Marian noticed Aurora coming down the stairs. Marian quickly stood up from the brown leather couch, surprising Aurora, who detected a hint of mocking remorse in her eyes. "Mrs. Lucas, I'm truly sorry for the way I spoke to you yesterday. I was upset because Lucas didn't invite me to your wedding," Marian said. Aurora could sense the lack of sincerity in her eyes and walked towards the kitchen without responding. "Do I have to grovel before you just because I'm staying here for a while? I knew Lucas before you. If it weren't for Lucas, would I stoop so low?" Marian continued, but Aurora remained silent, refusing to utter a single word. “I can’t wait for her to leave this house,” Aurora thought as she crossed the kitchen’s door. About an hour later, the three of them sat together for breakfast. Aurora's face reflected her inner turmoil. She was angry that Lucas hadn't yet agreed to let her work. The dining table felt lifeless, except for the so
Aurora’s pov Last night was dreadful, and all I needed was to force myself to sleep. The conversation between Lucas and Marian downstairs was unbearable. My gut feeling suggested that Marian might have intentionally added extra salt to the food, but there was no evidence. If I were to mention this to Lucas, he might think otherwise. I still couldn't understand why Marian was with Lucas and why she kept calling his phone. Reluctantly, I found myself sitting on the edge of the bed, breaking away from my usual routine of reaching out to my husband on the other side and embracing him. Lucas was still fast asleep, making me wonder if he hadn't left Marian's company on time or if I had woken up unusually early. The thought of Lucas and Marian being together filled me with fear that my husband might be unfaithful. I got up and went to the bathroom, taking a seat on the toilet. The first thing I noticed was my pregnancy test kit. With hesitation, I picked it up using my right hand. Luca
Aurora's pov The phone call from my boss not only robbed me of sleep but also shattered my confidence. It made me feel like a nervous teenager standing in front of new classmates after switching schools. My heart raced, and I could feel my breath quicken. I never imagined I would come face-to-face with my ex-husband in my entire life. I got up from my bed, still in my nightgown, and paced around the room with my hands behind my back. Every time I closed my eyes, flashbacks of my past life flooded my mind. The memory of Lucas sending me out of his house for what I knew nothing about. It hurt to remember how his childhood sweetheart was delighted at our misunderstanding. "Why this call when my life is finally going well?" I muttered to myself. Just then, a message notification chimed on my phone, and I quickly turned to grab it, hoping for something that seemed unlikely. Maybe a message from my boss saying they had changed their minds and appointed someone else. "Hi Dearie, I've
Sebastian’s pov I couldn't take my eyes off the message sent by Aurora, my thumbs still resting on my chin. I had asked her to come to my office after meeting with her boss, but she had refused. It wasn't her refusal that broke my heart, but rather the message itself. Every time someone disappointed me, it reminded me of what had happened three years ago. "Sebastian, you can't stay like this. You need to find someone to heal your heart," my mom had told me. When Dora broke my heart, it felt like half part of my heart had been wounded. Dora had been my childhood friend, and since my parents were well-off, it had been easy for me to support her financially. She had no father, and her mother was struggling, so I felt compelled to help them, even through college. I had envisioned a perfect future together, given our long history. But what transpired felt like a plot twist in a movie. I had lied to my parents countless times to assist Dora. She was like a rose I had planted in my own g
Author’s pov Lucas sat in his office, his long blue sleeves neatly folded at the ends. He occupied his usual spot on the tenth floor, surrounded by documents waiting for his signature. Each time he glanced at the name engraved on his pen, a deep breath escaped him. It bore the name of his ex-wife, Sweet Aurora. He had arranged for the pen to be customized with her name when he signed a contract with the pen supplier four years ago, a gesture of affection he once held for her. Pausing for a moment, memories flooded Lucas’ mind, forcing him to revisit his past. No longer did he wake up early in the morning to make their favorite coffee. The wireless earpiece he used to wear at the office was absent, and his melancholic mood did not go unnoticed by his childhood sweetheart. He lightly tapped his finger on the table and turned his gaze towards the window. Trying to distract himself from his thoughts, he pondered, “How long will I continue to dwell on Aurora? Perhaps divorcing her w
Author’s pov For the time being, Aurora has remained in her apartment, avoiding late nights and refraining from inviting anyone over. Usually, after 8 PM, she would lock her door, considering it her personal time to browse the internet or listen to music. However, this particular day was different. She lay on her bed, her hands still cradling her head despite the presence of a pink pillow. Thoughts swirled through her mind, and each powerful thought provoked a response—tightening of her lips, closing of her eyes, and a slow movement of her head. “No matter what I told my boss, the firm has made its decision. Should I resign?” She paused, taking a deep breath. “But this job has made my life easier. What people call progress is now haunting me. Does it mean I will have to spend three months in Lucas’ company? Won’t Marian think I did it intentionally? The only thing stopping me from going there is the pain that will surge through me the moment I see Lucas. It would be like thrusting
Aurora's pov I couldn't believe it when a man stayed overnight at my apartment. What's happening to me? It seems like I've been gradually opening my heart to affection. Did I fall for him because he expressed similar feelings or because he offered to help me talk to the management and reduce my time at my ex-husband's company? I can't even tell when I started imagining his return home at night and worrying about him. Is this love or simply an act of kindness? I gave him ten minutes, but he ended up staying for over forty, and I couldn't decipher his intentions. Sebastian has crossed boundaries, but I don't want to appear desperate for his attention. Should I consider last night as another way he gained more points with me? When it was time to sleep, he never expected to share the same bed with me. He never once tried to take advantage of my situation. "I'd prefer to sleep on the couch," he said.In my heart, I smiled and wondered where he had planned to sleep if not somewhere othe
Author’s pov Dan, a fitness trainer and avid traveler, was at one of the most expensive beaches in the city, dressed in black pants. His dedication to fitness had sculpted his attractive abs, and his tall stature and muscular chest easily caught the attention of females. Despite his flirtatious nature, he shared a deep bond with his childhood friend, Lucas. Regardless of their contrasting personalities, Lucas often encouraged Dan to pursue meaningful relationships, one at a time. Dan held a humorous philosophy about relationships, often stating, "Men were meant to have multiple women, that's why they produce millions of sperm. Women were meant to have one in particular, that's why they release one egg monthly." This lighthearted view on romance reflected his playful attitude. Leveraging Lucas' resources, including cars, a helicopter, and a private jet, Dan enjoyed flaunting his lifestyle, leaving a lasting impression on the ladies he encountered. While at the beach, Dan noticed