Chapter36


    Avelriedtogetup,buthepulledherbackdown.


    “Whatareyou–mmph…”


    Beforeshecouldfinish,hisfiercekisssilencedher.Avelriedtopushhimaway,buthegrabbedherhandsandpinnedthem.aboveherhead.


    Thekissgrewmoreintense,spreadingtoherneck,hercorbone…


    Theirbreathingbecameerratic.


    Staringattheintricateceiling,Aveline’seyesfilledwithtears.Lucas,I’mnotyourtoolforventingyouremotions.<b>If</b>youstippreciatethatIsavedyouonce,pleaseletmego.”


    Pleasestopthis.Itwasreallypainfulforher.Hewassupposedtotakeresponsibilityforanotherwoman,yethekeptentanglingwithheroverandover.Whatwasthepoint?Wasn’thetheonewhowantedadivorce?


    Couldn’thebedecisiveaboutit?


    Lucas‘breathonhercorbonegrewheavier,butfinally,helethergoandgotoutofbed,headingtothebathroom.


    Avelineslowlyloweredherhands,closedhereyes,andexhaledadeepbreath,feelingawaveofdisappointmentwashoverher.Shewishedhewouldsaytheywouldn’tgetdivorcedandthattheycouldcontinue…


    Ha!Howfoolish.


    WhenLucascameout,Avelinehadalreadposedherself.


    1/3


    +15BONUS


    “Let’sgotothwyer’sofficenow,”shesaid.


    Lucas’sexpressionturnedcolder.“Let’seatfirst.”


    Avelinestartedtoprotest,“No,”butherstomachbetrayedherwithaloudgrowl.


    Hereyes


    flickeredwithembarrassment.“Fine,”shemumbled,hervoicebarelyaboveawhisper.


    Forsomeinexplicablereason,thefrustrationinLucas‘hearteasedabit.Heleftthebedroomwithoutaword.Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    Avelinesighedinresignationandfollowedhim.Whensheopenedthe door,aservantstoodnearby,handingherabag.Hello,thesearethetoiletriesMr.Lucaspreparedforyou.”


    “Oh,thankyou.”Avelookthebagandwentbackinsidetofreshenup.


    Whensheemergedfromthebedroom,sherealizedshewasinavi.Thebedroomwason thesecondfloor,withaviewofthelivingroomfromtherailing.Thewholevihadacold,monochromatolorschemeofck,white,andgray.


    Theservantsmovedaboutefficientlyandsilently.


    AvelinedescendedthestairsandsawLucasinthediningroom.Shewalkedoverandsatdownwithoutaword,startingtoeat.


    Aforkholdingapieceofbaconstripappearedinfrontofher,cingitonherte.


    “Youlikebacon,”Lucassaidinadeep,maicvoice.


    Avelinestaredatthebaconforamomentbeforereturningittohiste.“Idon’tlikeitanymore.


    <ul>


    <li>15BONUS</li>


    </ul>


    Lucasfrowned.“Whydon’tyoulikeitanymore?”


    Avelinereplied,“Ijustdon’t.DoIneedareason?DoIhavetowaituntilitsaysitwantstobewithsomeoneelsebeforeIstoplikingit?”


    Lucaswasspeechless.


    Avelinedrankhermilkandateherfriedegg.Shewipedher


    mouthwithanapkinandlookedathim,abouttosaysomethingwhenshenoticedsomeitemsinanearbycab.


    Whydidtheylooksofamiliar?


    Theyseemedlikethingsshehadthrownaway.


    Avelinepointedattheitemsandasked,“DidyoupickupthethingsIthrewaway?”


    Theairaroundthemgrewnoticeablycolder.Lucas‘turnedevenicier.“ThosearethingsIbought.Whatdoesithavetodowithyou?DoyoureallythinkIwouldpickupwhatyoudiscardedandkeepit?”


    Avelineblinked.Weren’tthosethethingsshethrewaway?


    Whydidtheylooksomuchlikethem?