After the CEO Divorced Me, He Wants Me Back (Aveline and Lucas)

lan Ford was the son of the real estate tycoon.

Fawn tightened her grip around her glass. After a moment, determination flashed in her eyes. She raised the glass, downing the last of her drink, and said, "Fine, I'll take the risk!" Marrying lan was certainly better than ending up with that disgusting old man.

Her friend's gaze flickered slightly before handing Fawn an address.

Without hesitation, Fawn went straight there.

It was a private club. A bodyguard stood at the door of the suite. She walked up confidently, saying, "I'm Fawn Powell."

The bodyguard, clearly aware of who she was, stepped aside and opened the door for her.

Inside, the room was dimly lit, and Fawn couldn't immediately see

"Hello? Is anyone here?" she called out.

anyone was there.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

There was no response. She took a few cautious steps forward when suddenly, someone lunged from behind, grabbing her tightly.

"Ah!" Fawn screamed, instinctively struggling, but her resistance was cut short by the sharp prick of a needle in her arm, cold liquid seeping into her veins.

"Fawn, you didn't follow through with your promise. Now, how should I punish you?"

The disgusting voice made her skin crawl.

"You... why is it you?" she stammered, recognizing the old man.

"Why wouldn't it be me?" he sneered, laughing as he pushed her onto the bed. "I'll visit your parents tomorrow to ask for your hand. But tonight... you'll behave yourself!" "No!" she cried out.

...

Outside the bar.

Maria sat in her car, sending a transfer from her virtual account before driving off.

There was no way Fawn would escape now.

By morning, her parents would walk in on her in bed with that old man.

With this matter resolved, Maria's mood lifted considerably.

Maria drove straight to the area where Sidney lived.

His apartment was in an old, run-down neighborhood, with dim, flickering streetlights-some even broken.

She sat quietly in her car, not getting out to look for him.

She needed to think things through. What was her relationship with Sidney now? And what did she want it to be in the future? Should they be together?

She found herself looking forward to

it. A man who could handle himself in all aspects-whether in the kitchen, in conversation, or...

elsewhere. She liked that about him.

Maria pulled out her phone and called Sidney. "Hello?"

His smooth, pleasant voice instantly lifted her mood.

"Sidney, should we give this a shot?" she asked, bluntly, without any lead-up.

On the other end, there was silence.

After a long pause, he finally responded, "Maria, I think things are fine the way they are now."

"Hmm?" Maria was a bit surprised.

After everything they'd been through together, and since he hadn't exactly rejected their intimacy, she thought he might say yes. "What's so good about it?" she pressed.

Sidney replied, "Your feelings for me

aren't genuine, and I don't have much emotional attachment to you either. Trying something under those circumstances doesn't really mean anything." en

The smile on Maria's lips gradually faded. "You have a point. Alright then, goodnight."

With that, she hung up the phone, ending the conversation abruptly.

Maria drove away, leaving the night behind her.

Sidney stared at the phone after the call ended, his emotions a mix of confusion and conflict.

Neither of them was truly invested. If they together now, it wouldn't last, and in the end, they'd up hurting each other.

And if he knew it would cause harm, then it was best to avoid it.

Selongs to en.kikistoriend

Sidney put his phone away and turned to enter the hospital room.

Ruth looked up at him, concerned. "What's wrong?"

Sidney replied, "Nothing, just some work stuff. I'll take care of it tomorrow."

His mother watched him carefully, letting out a soft sigh. "Sidney, why don't you ever share anything with me?"