When His Wife Return

Chapter 5

{Aurora's POV}

Time seemed to run too fast when we were happy. I forgot how that felt—the feeling of blissful happiness and laughter to the point where I couldn't breathe and my stomach would ache, but still, it would be worth it. It was like a reminder that happiness still exists even for someone like me.

But that was until Caelum died.

The day he passed, I died with him.

Gone was the little burst of spark in my eyes—the hope, faith, love...everything vanished, even my will to live until, day by day, I forgot the sound of my own laughter, the feeling of a genuine smile not only on my lips but also in my eyes, and a sleep where monsters weren't plaguing my dreams.

I had given up on everything because nobody has given me any reason to try again...not even myself.

Who would jump in the water when I drowned?

No one.

But the thing is, I know how to swim, and so the real question is, would I have the will to pull myself up? To swim back to the surface so I could finally breathe?

Two weeks after the Heritage Ball, I sat at a table surrounded by my...family in a five-star restaurant. Lucas and I sat next to each other, both our fathers on either side of the head of the table, and our mothers in front of us.

"Well, that's nice to hear, Lucas. You're handling the company well."

I tuned them down and focused on my food.

I wasn't interested in anything that they were saying, nor do I care. I didn't even want to be included since I know how my mother is going to react—full of judgement. Always judgement. There was always something wrong with me in her eyes, as though even my mere presence was wrong, and I have long accepted that.

"Aurora, you should eat more, dear. You are too petite," Lucas's mother suddenly pointed out in the middle of their conversation.

I honestly didn't know how to respond to that, but since she mentioned my name, everyone automatically looked at me.

"I—"

"Speaking of your body, Aurora, why don't I see any baby bump in your stomach yet?" My mother's sharp eyes were now directed at me. "Seriously, I am getting so fed up always reminding you. Are you infertile? I'm sure that Lucas is a healthy man who's capable of giving you a baby, so why are you still not pregnant?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

I'm afraid to tell her that Lucas and I haven't even been in the same bed together.

She rolled her eyes before turning to Lucas's mother. "Don't you think it's time for them to have a baby? It's been six months. They need to secure an heir for both companies. The earlier the better so we could train their child to manage everything.

My mother-in-law nodded her head in agreement.

"Lydia is right." She glanced at me, then her gaze went to Lucas. "Are you even trying? You are the man, so you can't leave all the actions to Aurora and expect her stomach to just grow a bump. Lucas?" She raised a brow, expecting her son to give a good answer.

I looked down and caught a glimpse of Lucas's tightly clenched fist.

"Mom, I don't think either Aurora or I are ready for that. It's a big responsibility to raise a child, and since my wife and I are still trying to get to know each other, we think it's best if we—"

"The more reason why you should get a baby already," she says, not letting her son finish his sentence, and as if 'getting' a baby was as easy as buying anything in the convenience store. "It helps build connection between married couples. A baby is the proof of their love."

I couldn't help but glance at my parents. Somehow, I don't believe that.

My parents' marriage was arranged just like what they did to Lucas and me. They'd been married for twenty-nine years, but that didn't signify anything. Love? Connection? That doesn't exist in their household. They might have loved Caelum when he was still alive, but that stopped there. I was an accident. My brother was all they needed, and my mother never failed to remind me how much I should thank them for not getting rid of me.

"Wait—" Lucas's father stopped his wife, turning to Lucas as if he had realized something. "Didn't you say you never wanted a honeymoon? Don't tell me you two have never been...intimate?"

I paled.

"What?" my mother hissed, also realizing the point of Lucas's father, while my father remained seated, calmly eating while watching the scene unravel before him as if it was just an everyday scenario. Probably in our family, yes, it was an everyday scenario. "Aurora?"

I know she was looking at me. Her tone told me she wouldn't be as forgiving as before, and it scared me. I know what she was capable of, and I'm afraid of what she would do.

"Mother, I—"

But before I could continue what I was going to say, a voice cut me off.

"What a coincidence." A rough voice stopped at our table.

I felt the familiar shiver run down my spine. I didn't have to guess who it was, and the realization sent my heart running for the hills.

If it were any other people, my parents wouldn't be too pleased by the interruption, but when they saw who it was, their feet automatically moved. All of them stood up with a startled expression.

"Mr. Russo!" My father, who now possessed an actual expression, greeted. The nonchalant aura he carried earlier had vanished. "W-what a surprise to see you here."

"Aurora, stand up," my mother hissed.I folded my napkin and was about to stand up, but Kael stopped me.

"No. It's alright." I could feel his burning gaze on my face, but I didn't look at him. "My apologies for interrupting a family dinner. I didn't mean to intrude."

I suppress the urge to cringe at the way he emphasizes the word family. Clearly, this man knows how much of a family we are.

"What are you saying? It's our pleasure to have you here." The air around my mother shifted into something friendly, almost warm, but we all know it was as fake as Hanna's nose. "Are you alone? If you don't mind me asking, of course." She let out a forced chuckle.

All of them seemed nervous. Of course they would be. Kael possessed such an aura that you would feel the weight of it on your shoulder. And the pressure to appear good in front of his eyes only adds to their anxiousness.

"Hmm...I have a date here in an hour..." He stopped. I could hear the disappointed sighs around the table, but no one spoke. I got curious so slowly, I lifted my gaze only to see Kael, staring at me as if he was contemplating something, but when our eyes met, the visible uncertainty in his face vanished. "But I could cancel it and join this pleasant dinner, if you wouldn't mind, of course."

The look on their faces was almost laughable.

My father's expression was a mixture of disbelief, panic, and satisfaction. They instantly scramble into action. My mother called a waiter while Lucas's parents adjusted their seats but stopped when Kael walked over towards where I was sitting.

"Do you mind switching seats? I was just always used to that certain...spot."

At first, I thought he was talking to me, and I almost stood up if only I didn't hear Lucas scoff in disbelief.

"What?" my husband asked, a displeased expression plastered on his hard face. He doesn't look too happy with our new company.

"Lucas," his mother called, a hint of warning evident in her voice. "Wouldn't it be nice if you let our guest have his chosen seat?"

For the first time since our wedding, Lucas looked at his mother with both defiance and irritation, with a mixture of doubt and uncertainty.

"But I prefer to be seated next to my wife. That's how it should be, right, Mother?"

My father cleared his throat and glanced nervously at Kael, who was still standing behind Lucas. Both of them refused to give way. I saw my mother open her mouth, but Kael spoke.

"Well, I'd like to hear what your wife has to say about this." I glanced at him in surprise. Is he seriously putting me in the spotlight right now? He smirked at me, probably amused by my glare. "What do you think, Aurora? Are you fine not to be seated next to your husband?" The way he addressed Lucas as my husband was almost—if not—mocking. I don't know if I'll find it funny or insulting.I opened my mouth, glanced at Lucas, and stopped.What should I say?

"Of course, she'll sit with me. Right, babe?" Lucas answered for me and even put his hand on my thigh. I swallowed when he gave it a hard squeeze. I'm not stup/d not to know the warning behind it.

When did my life become so complicated?

"Y-yeah. Lucas is right. I'm...sorry."

There was silence. Just like everyone, I thought that Kael would be insulted, but to my and everyone else's surprise, he laughed.

"Newlyweds really do tend to be clingy." He shook his head and clasped a firm hand on Lucas's shoulder. It was enough to make his grip loosen on my thigh.I breathed a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, Kael didn't press it any further. He sat across from me next to Lucas's mother. Of course, our parents talked to him nonstop, and he answered them with vagueness and mystery, like it was very hard to squeeze a clear response from him. And maybe that was a factor of what made him what he was now.

While waiting for the dessert, I excused myself to go to the bathroom. Partly because I needed to pee but also because I couldn't take all their presence all at once. I needed to breathe and compose myself.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror and barely recognized the girl staring back at me. Lines of stress marred my face. My eyes, shining with submission, but deep inside possessed a fire I'm desperately trying to hide. It's burning hotter and hotter every day. I took a deep breath.

Calm. Composed. Classy.

After taking one last look at my reflection, I left the bathroom but stopped in surprise when I saw Kael outside the door looking like he'd been waiting for someone.

Our eyes met, and I took an audible gulp when I saw the darkness in his eyes.

"W-what are you doing here?"

He smirked and took a step closer.

"I'm here for you, of course."

My eyes widened a fraction at his bold statement. "But I...my parents are there...W-why—"

"How can you expect me to stay there when you're here?"

I shook my head.

No. He's messing with me.

"Is that why you canceled your date? Because of me?" I was surprised by the amount of sarcasm dripping from each of my words.

"It's not that kind of date. I was here for work, but I saw you there sitting with those idiots, looking like you wanted to run away—"

"They're my family."

He tsked. "Yeah, right."

I glared at him. Annoyed but at the same time, relieved that he was here. I didn't want to admit it, but he was right. I wanted to run away.

"What do you want, Kael?"

He stilled. His eyes trained on my face. I noticed his pupils dilated and his Adam's apple bobbed as if he was physically restraining himself.

My body burned from the way he was looking at me. The air shifted like it usually does whenever I found myself alone with him.

He opened his mouth, and when he spoke, his voice was huskier and rougher than I had ever heard him speak before.

"I told you." Another step closer. "I. Want. You."

My heartbeat picked up its pace as blood rushed through my face, but I held my ground.

"And I told you, I'm m-married."

He raised his hand and brushed his fingers on my cheeks in the most gentle way possible. I fought the urge to close my eyes and savor the warmth it brought to me.

"And I'm telling you that I'm going to have you whatever it takes, married or not." His fingers stopped but remained on my face. "You don't belong with those people, Aurora. You know it. You're just scared to admit it."

I couldn't resist it anymore. I closed my eyes and unconsciously leaned into his touch.

"You don't know that." My voice came out as a breathy whisper.

"I'm going to prove it to you."