When His Wife Return

Chapter 7

{Aurora's POV}

Silence filled the surroundings. My hand that's clutching the doorknob fell on my side. I just gaped at him for a moment, unsure of how I was going to take his words because, let's be honest, ever since I met this man, every word that left his mouth was full of flattery bulls/t.

"You're insane," I blurted, shaking my head in disbelief. This man is mentally ill. "I don't know why you're doing this, but please, stop. I have a husband. I'm married."

I looked away.

I couldn't stand the intensity of his gaze. It was too deep, too intense for me to handle, especially since I know that I am deeply attracted to him.

But I'm married.

And besides, he couldn't be serious with all this.

He's Kael Gavriel Russo. Just the name alone could inflict fear on every person, not just the ones in his line of work but also those who've made it to the society's top richest people...and the ones trying to be one.

"You are attracted to me. You're trying to deny it, but let's face it, if you weren't in these unfortunate circumstances, it wouldn't be hard for you to admit that you want me just as much as I want you."

"Attraction happens every time, Mr. Russo. And please, don't be too full of yourself just because you see me in these 'unfortunate circumstances.' This phase is normal for married people, so leave me alone!" I tried to close the door right in his face, but he stopped it effortlessly with his hand.

I was breathing heavily. Too emotional that I didn't even care that I admitted that I was attracted to him.

I hate myself that he was right. This whole marriage was indeed a very unfortunate circumstance, and I might have admitted my infatuation towards this man if I wasn't already tied to someone.

He stared at me in disbelief, as if a part of him was actually shocked by my outburst.

"Your husband is cheating on you, Aurora." I winced, but I was actually taken aback to hear him call me by my name. He ignored my surprise and continued. "Don't tell me you considered that as part of marriage's normal phase?"

I clenched my fist.

"So what?" I raised my chin in defiance. "This is between us. If I want to divorce him or stay in this marriage, that's none of your business, so for the last time, please, leave."

I don't know where I got this harshness or even the courage to talk back, but right now, all I wanted was to rest and be alone. A lot has already happened today. My emotions have come to its peak, and I feel so drained.

"Please, Kael..." I spoke again, softer this time. It sounded more like a plea than a demand. "Please...leave me alone. Just forget that we ever met. I'm..." I let out a shaky breath. "I'm married."

All my life, people around me saw me with faults I didn't commit. Flaws that weren't there before. Mistakes I didn't do. Now that I have the opportunity to go with the wrong one, I still believe that I am capable of choosing the right choice.

With or without people to witness, even if it means having these regrets carried with me for the rest of my life.

I look at him one last time before I attempt to close the door for the second time. This time, he didn't try to fight back. He let me close it, and I watched as his face vanished right before my eyes.The way he stared at me for the last time would probably haunt me more than letting myself marry Lucas had ever haunted me.

But it was the right thing to do.

Pushing people away have always been the right thing to do. At least for me.

"So, what do you think is the right thing to do?"

I blinked.

Keila appeared in my line of vision with a questioning look. One of her brows was raised as if expecting an answer from me.

I almost forgot that she was here. How did she get here again?

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Urgh, you're not listening. I said, should I push him away even though I could see how much he's pursuing me, or should I just ditch him 'cause I just broke up with Austin?" She raised a brow. "Well?"

I sighed before calmly putting my teacup down with a smile that literally says, 'calm down, she's your friend, so you can't kill her.'

"I think..." I paused and then looked at her. She smiled innocently, even shrugging her shoulder in the process. "You should stop with the dating and flirting for the time being. Try to do things alone, you know? No boys to pester you or stress you out."

She rolled her eyes. "You know me. Stress hypes me up. I need it to strive and focus."

I snorted. "Really?"

"Well, what can I say? I'm built differently." She even showed her nonexistent 'muscular' bicep.

I just shook my head in exasperation, but deep inside, I'm grateful for her presence. Even though she always complains about her recent breakups, new hookups, her mom's hookups, or just any petty things, I feel lighter.

Nightmares might plague my sleep, and I might wake up sweating and breathing heavily with tears clogging my throat from suppressing my emotions, but it's always nice to see the sun rising in the morning. Which I really think was a good sign.

Like it's telling me that there's always something to wake up to.

"Earth to Aurora?"

"Huh?"

Like a cloud of smoke blown by the wind, the thoughts vanished in my head. My sight cleared, and there she was again. Keila waved her hands in front of me as if to get my attention.

Her brows were furrowed. Gone were the playfulness and complaints.

"You okay?" And her tone was now soft too.

It was like an automatic response.

A nod. A smile, and—

"Of course. I'm fine."

She gave me this look that literally said 'really?'

"Spill it, Aurora. You think I haven't noticed? Something is clearly bothering you." Concern laced her tone.

"Nothing's bothering me. I'm just a little bit out of it. I'm sorry; please continue with what you were saying earlier."

"No. Tell me. What's going on with you? I'm worried. Is it your parents again? Lucas? Tell me." She pressed as if those things were the only ones I've ever concerned myself with.

It used to be.

I looked away.

How could I tell her that it was really nothing? That I was just unconsciously reminiscing about something that had happened three years ago? Something that I didn't even mention to her.

Because there was nothing to tell.

After that night with Kael, I never saw him again. Not in any social gatherings, not in any restaurant, and especially not in our house again. It was as though he vanished, at least from my sight, because I still hear news about him from time to time.

My parents were wondering why he'd suddenly had these great walls around him—not that he took them down in the first place, but let's just say that the dinner at the restaurant had been the last time we were ever with him. They thought that they had a shot to be in Kael's circle, but that vanished before their fantasies could even turn to hopes.

With the most genuine smile I could muster, I flashed one to Keila.

"I'm fine, Keila. Stop worrying about me," I reassured. You'll be tired if you keep worrying about me, and I'm too scared that you'll realize how drained you are for always having to look out for me. "If I have a problem, you'll be the first person that I would call."

There's no one to call.

Thankfully, she listened. Not because she believed me, but because she had no other choice but to listen and move on. I feel guilty that I couldn't tell her anything that I was going through, but I would be more guilty if I troubled her with something I should be fixing on my own.

Keila left, and it was just me again.

I sighed and began to clean up the little mess on the coffee table.

Three years.I've been married to Lucas for three years. I met Kael three years ago. Life should keep moving for me, but it stopped that night.

I don't know if I regretted pushing him away—that's why I kept on reliving that night—or if I'm just being reminded of the right decision I made.

If it was the right thing to do, then why don't I feel happy or even just a little bit contented with it? Perhaps because my marriage was still the same. The same marriage that had been my sole reason why I pushed Kael away.

I was on my way to my room when I heard my phone ring. I barely use it, but since Keila visited and showed me another piece of gossip on the internet, of course, bringing my phone was a must.

An unknown number was calling me.

I frown.

Only a few people know my number. Could it be just a random person selling something?

Don't answer the phone. Don't answer the phone. Don't—

D@mn it.

I answered the call, and the other side was quick to introduce themself.

"Good evening, I'm Officer Smith." An older voice from a man spoke, telling me that he was from a certain police department, causing panic to rise from my chest. "Is this Mrs. Saunders?"

No words left my mouth. I was frozen in place.

"Hello?"

It took a few minutes for my mind to form any coherent words.

"I, uh...y-yes, it's..." I swallowed, the phone shaking under my grip. "...it's me."

I closed my eyes. Flashes of faces appeared in my mind.

A phone call. A cop, appearing at our house. My parents...and me, running to the hospital. Then there was him—my brother, Caelum, looking pale, eyes closed without a trace of his signature teasing smile.

And then my mother's screams filled the hall. Full of hatred and blame, all pointed at me.

"Mrs. Saunders? Are you there?" The voice of the officer brought my mind back to the present.

I was breathing heavily.

Was Keila okay? It had been an hour since she left.

"Y-yes. How can I-I help you?"

"I hope we're not disrupting anything, but your husband is currently being kept here in the police station. Would you mind coming here?"