"Sorry!"
Aiden imdiately pulled his hand back, his face paling as he sat up, taking deep, steadying breaths. Sylvia straightened herself with a shocking expression.
"I-I’m sorry... I thought—" Aiden stamred. "I should go," he added hastily, pushing himself to his feet, eager to escape the awkward mont.
Sylvia, however, remained composed. "I’ve cooked lunch for us," she said. "It would be a waste if you didn’t stay to eat."
Aiden hesitated, his gaze flickering between her and the doorway. After a brief mont, he gave a small nod and silently followed her into the kitchen.
Taking a seat at the dining table, Aiden watched as Sylvia moved efficiently, serving the al before him.
Aiden ate in silence, his gaze fixed on his plate while Sylvia observed him, her curiosity growing. His sudden reaction earlier lingered in her mind, making her wonder what had triggered it.
"Did you have a nightmare?" she finally asked. "Why did you grab my throat all of a sudden? It felt like... it was out of defense."
"Yeah, I thought I was being attacked by an enemy. I have to stay on alert all the ti," Aiden admitted. He chose not to delve into the deeper wounds of his past. The kidnapping and everything that had scarred him ntally. His mind never truly rested, not even in his sleep.
Sylvia studied him for a mont but decided against pressing further. Instead, she nodded and let the silence settle between them as they finished their al.
"Thank you for the al. It was delicious," Aiden said sincerely, his tone softer now.
"I’m glad you liked it," Sylvia replied, clearing the table.
"I’ll help you with the dishes," Aiden asserted, already reaching for the plates.
"You don’t have to—"
"I insist," he cut in, his expression leaving no room for argunt.
Sylvia sighed but allowed it, watching as he stepped beside her at the sink.
"You got wounded earlier. It’s better for you to rest," Sylvia said as she snatched the gloves from him. "Just leave. I don’t think the reporters are here anymore." She felt his body was hotter than usual and realized he must have gotten fever because of the wound.
Aiden watched her for a mont, realizing he was only bothering her. "You are surprisingly calm today," he said with a smile.
"Soone told to live my life and enjoy every bits of it," Sylvia stated, recalling about Luca. "Not you definitely," she added.
"Hmm. That’s nice to hear," Aiden said. He took a step away from her and quietly left her sight. Entering his own apartnt, he finally lay into the bed and pulled the duvet up before drifting off to sleep.
~~~~~
Lucius removed the muffler from around his neck, draping it over the chair before shrugging off his long coat. Letting out a breath, he turned to Layla, who was resting her head against the headboard, her eyes curious.
"Sylvia was talking like a normal person today," he said, his voice carrying a hint of disbelief. "It made ... a bit happy."
Layla’s lips curled slightly. "I think she’s finally understood you," she murmured.
Lucius sat down on the edge of the mattress, running a hand through his hair. "It was a shocking change," he admitted. "She told she has forgiven ... and that I should enjoy my life with you."
He fell silent for a mont, a strange, unexplainable peace settling over him. Layla placed her hand over his, making him look at her.
"Layla, thank you. It all happened because of you," Lucius murmured, leaning in to embrace her.
Layla wrapped her arms around him, gently caressing his back as she rested her chin on his shoulder. "Orabela apologized to as well," she confided. "She’s no longer the arrogant girl I once knew."
Lucius pulled back slightly, his brows furrowing in surprise. "Really?" he asked, skepticism lacing his voice. "I still think she’s acting. What do you think? Did you accept her apology?"
Layla hesitated for a mont before nodding. "This ti, I did," she admitted. "It felt genuine, like it truly ca from the bottom of her heart. Orabela has no one beside her now, except Dad. I think Mom has accepted her too. From the beginning, Mom saw her as the daughter. But Orabela is no longer the old version of herself... she’s changed. She’s lost that boastful pride and egoistic nature. She’s more humble than before, and it honestly shocked . I thought it was finally ti to let go of the past."
Lucius exhaled, leaning back slightly. "Hmm. If that’s what you want, then I support you," he said, though his voice carried a note of doubt. "But I still want you to stay alert."
He couldn’t shake the feeling that Orabela’s transformation might not be as sincere as it seed. To him, she was still the sa arrogant and selfish woman she had always been.
"Did I ever tell you that you look hot in a turtleneck?" Layla suddenly remarked, her fingers trailing down his chest before gliding over his firm abdon, feeling the taut muscles beneath the fabric.
Lucius smirked. "I think you did once," he replied.
Layla quickly reached for her phone, snapping a picture before he could react. She grinned as she turned the screen toward him. "Look at this—how dashing you look," she said with admiration.
Lucius glanced at the photo and chuckled. "You really like capturing my looks, don’t you?"
"Of course," Layla teased. "Gotta keep a collection of my handso husband. Whenever you are away, I look at these pictures. Our photos in Zurich really ca out well. It feels so dreamy."
Layla looked at those pictures, her heart fluttering against her chest.
Lucius took the phone from her hands and set it aside before pulling her into a deep kiss. His lips moved against hers in passion, making her heart race. Layla lted into his embrace, her arms wrapping around his neck as she kissed him back just as eagerly.
Without breaking the kiss, she shifted onto his lap, her fingers threading through his hair while his hands road her back, pulling her even closer.
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