novelxo Chapter 864
Lucas completely ignored Selena's protests, pacing around the living room, and searching every corner. Not finding anyone, he headed straight for the bedroom.
"Hey, stop!" Selena rushed over, arms outstretched to block his way. "What do you think you're doing?"
His bloodshot eyes fixed on her, cold and intense. "Move."
The icy chill and overwhelming pressure radiating from him made Selena falter momentarily, but she stood her ground. "No. Why are you barging in like this?" Frustration boiled over in Lucas.
If Selena was trying this hard to stop him, then Aveline must be here. Why was she keeping him away? Didn't she understand how desperately he'd been searching for Aveline, how close to madness he'd been? Lucas had little patience left. Just as he was about to push Selena aside, the bedroom door creaked open.
Aveline stood there, dressed in soft sleepwear, one hand resting on the doorframe, the other hanging loosely at her side. She looked fragile, ethereal, but her face was pale, and her eyes showed none of the warmth he once knew.
Lucas' gaze locked onto her, scanning her face, taking in every detail as if afraid to miss a single moment. His throat tightened, and in a hoarse whisper, he said, "Aveline... you've lost weight."
Aveline's grip on the door handle tightened slightly.
Her voice was soft but distant as she replied, "I'm tired. Could you please leave?"
Lucas' heart clenched at the coldness in her tone. The distance between them was suffocating. He had been so desperate to find her, and now that he had, she felt like a stranger.
"Alright," he said, voice tight with emotion. "Rest. I'll come back tomorrow."
With heavy reluctance, he turned to leave, glancing back at her with each step, clearly unwilling to go.
Once the door closed behind him, Selena let out an annoyed sound and turned to Aveline. "Don't bother with him, Ave!"
Aveline nodded, her voice low. "I'm exhausted. I'm going to sleep. You don't have to stay with me. I'll be fine alone."
But Selena shook her head, adamant. "No way. I'm staying with you. I won't be able to sleep if I leave you alone." Aveline sighed, resigned, and agreed.
Back in bed, Aveline closed her eyes, but sleep refused to come. The image of Lucas-disheveled, his eyes bloodshot and filled with a mix of urgency and
desperation-haunted her. He had
looked so frantic, as if the world was collapsing around him.
But then, why had he been with another woman? If he was so desperate, was all of this just an act?
What was the point?
...
Lucas sat in his car, still battling the intense heat surging through his body.
His expression was dark and furious. "Take me to the hospital," he ordered.
Once on the way, he called Desmond. "Check the security footage at Meet Bar. See if Aveline went there." "Understood," Desmond replied.
At the hospital, Lucas underwent some tests and was soon hooked up to an IV drip to flush the drugs. from his system. He sat in a chair his jacket thrown carelessly beside him shirt slightly wrinkled. With his eyes closed, he leaned back, exhaustion taking over.
It wasn't long before Aaron arrived.
Taking one look at Lucas, his brow furrowed. "Who had the nerve to drug you?"
"Juliet," Lucas responded curtly.
Aaron scoffed. "The Cooper family, huh? Their daughter's really doing them proud, isn't she?" His tone dripped with sarcasm, disgusted that someone like Juliet could stoop so low. Lucas remained silent, his expression darkening.
Seeing Lucas' mood, Aaron changed the subject. "So, Aveline's back, right? How did she get back? And why isn't she here with you?"
Lucas said nothing, but his face grew even more grim.
At that moment, Desmond rushed in. "Mr. Tudor, I checked the footage. Mrs. Tudor and Miss Selena did go to the bar. They even saw you... and Juliet entering the private room together." Lucas' heart sank.
...
The next morning, as the sky
lightened, Aveline opened her eyes. She glanced at Selena, still asleep then got up quietly, washed up, and changed clothes. She grabbed her ID and wallet, left a note, and then left the house without a sound.