Chapter56


    Avelinelookedover,puzzled,andasked,“What’sthis?”


    Lucasreplied,“You’remy wife.Ifyoulooktooin,peoplewillthinkI’mtreatingyoupoorly.”


    Hetookoutapairofearringsandsaidtoher,“Comehere.”


    “Fine,”Shethought,“Whodoesn’tlikediamonds?”


    AsAvelinestoodup,sheasked,“Arethesemine?”


    “Yes,”Lucasreplied,catchingthesparkleinhereyes.


    Avelinequickenedherpaceandreachedoutherhand,“I’lldoit.myself.”


    Lucas,however,said,“There’snomirror,youcan’t see.”


    Sayingthis,heliftedherhairandleanedintoputontheearrings.


    Thediamondearringswereteardrop–shaped,perfectlycut,and sparkledbeautifullyunderthelight.Herearlobes,withahintofpink,weredelicateandtheearringseasilyslippedthroughtheholes.Hisfingerslingeredashepinchedherearlobebeforepickinguptheotherearring.


    Theywereveryclose,andhisbreathseemedtograzeherskin,feelingwarmandslightlyticklish.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Theearringswerequicklyputon,andnextwasthene.


    Themandidn’tstepback,stayingclosetoherasheheldthene.Insteadofmovingbehindher,hereachedaroundherneck,leaninginclose,


    Itfeltasthoughhehadenvelopedherinhisarmspletelysurroundedbyhispresence.


    +15BONUS


    Aveline’sheartraced.


    Herlongeyshestrembledasshetriedtocalmherself.


    Forthesakeof thisjewelryset,shehadtoendure!


    Thenewasfastened,andashestraightenedup,hislips.brushedagainsthercheek.


    Avelinesuddenlylookedup,displeased,andsaid,“Lucas,you’requitecunning.”


    Lucasstaredatherwithdarkeyes,“Whatdoyoumean?”


    Avelinesneered,“Youputthejewelryonmeyourselfjust<b>to</b>kissme,huh…”


    Hereyesgleamedwitha“I’veseenthroughyou”look,andshelifted.herchinslightly,lookingsmug.


    Lucaschuckledsoftly,thensuddenlyleaneddownandkissedherlipsfirmly.


    Afteramoment,hesteppedbackandsaid,“DoIneedareasontokissyou?”


    Avelinewasstunned.


    Shelookedathimindisbelief.


    Didheevenrealizewhathewasdoing?


    Theywereabouttogetdivorced!


    Didhenotthinkhisactionsweredespicable?


    Avelinepressedherlipstogether,herexpressionsuddenlyturning


    cold.“Let’sgo.”


    Lucassaid,“Wehaven’tputontheringyet.”


    +15BONUS


    Avelinencedatthediamondring,ahintofbitternessshinginher eyes.“Doyourememberwhatyouusedtosaytome?”


    Lucas’sexpressionfroze.


    He didn’twanttoremember,butthememorycameunbidden.


    Whentheygottheirmarriagecertificate,hepromisedherthatonedayhewouldgiveherarealdiamondring,cutintheshapesheliked,withtheirinitialsengravedontheinside,symbolizinghislifelongloveforher.


    “Canyoustillkeepyourpromise?”


    Avelineaskedsoftly,thenlookedaway.“Theringisunnecessary.”


    Shehadalreadyopenedthedoorandwalkedout.


    Lucas‘previouslycheerfulmood instantlybecameheavy.Helooked.attheringinhishand.


    Howwasitunnecessary?


    Inthecar.


    Theatmospherewassubtle.


    Avelinelookedout thewindow,herexpressioncalmoncemore.


    Shehadjustlostcontrolofheremotionsearlier.Thinkingbacknow,shefounditquiteamusing.


    Theywereabouttogetdivorced,sowhyevenbringitup?


    Promises…


    Theywerejustnonsense.


    Shehadactuallybelievedthem,whichwasutterlughable.