Divorced

Aveline’s expression darkened instantly. “So, your happiness is built on my suffering?”

Lucas replied calmly, “If you’re feeling hurt, you can always come to me for protection.”

Aveline let out a bitter laugh. “Protection? As your mistress?”

Lucas didn’t respond, simply watching her with that faint, mocking smile.

The thought was nothing short of insulting to Aveline. Give up the role of his wife to become his mistress? Not a chance.

She turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

“Bang!”

Lucas closed his eyes for a moment, the smirk fading from his face. He walked over to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a drink, and slowly sipped it. His gaze fixed on the dark night outside, though his eyes were even darker.

When Aveline returned home, Selena immediately asked, “Did he give you a hard time?”

Aveline shook her head. “No, just his usual nonsense.”

Selena burst out laughing. “That’s a pretty accurate description.”

After washing her hands, Aveline sat down beside Selena, grabbing a piece of fried chicken. “Mmm… food never lets me down.”

Selena handed her a beer. “Here you go, babe. Beer won’t let you down either. After this, you’ll sleep like a baby.”

“Sounds good.”

Aveline didn’t refuse. Life had been tough lately, and she needed something to take the edge off.

After one beer, Aveline was already feeling tipsy. Her tolerance for alcohol was low, but at least she was home, where it didn’t matter if she got a little drunk.

She cuddled a pillow, lying peacefully on the couch, watching Selena move around the room.

“Selena…” Aveline’s voice was soft, almost playful, with a hint of a pout. “Why aren’t you coming over here?

Selena smiled. “I’m coming. I’m coming. Let’s go to the bedroom and chat.”

Selena finished tidying up and then came over to help Aveline to the bedroom. Aveline obediently followed, and once inside, she immediately lay down on the bed.

Selena couldn’t help but chuckle at how much Aveline resembled a well–behaved child. “Ave, you really shouldn’t drink outside. If someone saw you like this, they might just carry you off.”

Aveline nodded earnestly. “Mm, I know. No drinking outside.”

Selena couldn’t resist pinching her cheek before lying down next to her. “Goodnight, Ave.”

“Goodnight, Selena.”

25 BONUS

At three in the morning. Aveline was rudely awakened by her phone ringing. She frowned deeply, grabbed the phone without checking who was calling, and answered it with irritation. “Who is it?”

Her

voice, though, was soft and groggy, laced with the kind of drowsiness that tugged at the heart.

Lucas‘ deep voice came through the line. “Aveline, come over. I’ve got a new idea.”

Aveline, now fully irritated, snapped, “Just because you say so doesn’t mean I’ll come! Who do you think you are?”

“Hmm?” Lucas sounded surprised. “Aveline, do you know who I am?”

Aveline mumbled, “I don’t care who you are, but calling me in the middle of the night makes you a bad person!” Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Lucas chuckled. “Have you been drinking?”

Aveline, stubbornly, “I have not!”

Sleepiness washed over her like a tide, and she didn’t want to keep talking. “I’m tired… don’t bother me,” she muttered, and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep, forgetting to hang up the phone.