DIVORCE CHAOS: BACK TO MY EX'S BED.

WARMER WITH YOU.

Arriving at Aven’s Estate, Aurelia stepped out of the taxi. Her heels clicking sharply against the driveway as she matched her way towards the mansion. Aurelia’s chest tightened, her fingers brushing against the keypad by the iron gate. Her passcode still worked. Of course it did. She smirked as the gate open.

Inside, the familiar fresh lilies greeted her, but Lauren, the housekeeper appeared from the hallway, her face masked with confusion and unease.

"Oh my! Mrs. Auden—I mean, Miss. Kiley, what are you—Mr. Auden is with a friend right now," Lauren stammered.

But Aurelia didn’t stop. She moved forward with confidence as she made her way to the living room. She pushed the door open without hesitation.

"Lucien!" she yelled, her voice commanding. There he was, sitting on the couch with his legs spread apart.

Aurelia strode forward her gaze locked on Lucien, who looked up at her with wide, startled eyes. Before he could utter a single word, she sank into his lap, her hands gripping his shoulders as if anchoring herself to him. His body stiffened beneath her and shock written all over him.

"Do you need me to come back?" the other man—Mateo Lowell, Lucien's friend said, his voice filled with awkward amusement and he smilled sheepishly, rising, eager to escape.

Aurelia turned her head in his direction her gaze narrowing on Mateo toward the door. “I heard you’re gay!” she shouted, the words tumbling out in disbelief. Her eyes darted between Mateo and Lucien. "Is that him? Is that your boyfriend?" she demanded.

Mateo blinked, his lips twitching into an awkward smile before he quickly excused himself, slipping out of the room with a quiet, “Good luck.” The door clicked shut behind him, leaving the two of them alone.

Lucien sighed, his hands instinctively finding her waist as she tried to rise from his lap. "Aurelia," he called, his voice low with concerned eyes. "Are you drunk?"

"Drunk?" she repeated with a laugh that bubbled out of her throat. She shook her head vigorously, her dark hair falling in messy waves around her face. "Me? Why would I be? Susie said I needed a wild night, so I’m having one!" Her words were loud.

An hour later, the chaos had settled. Lucien stood by the doorway, watching as Lauren guided Aurelia toward the guest room. She was babbling now, her words slurring together. Her steps were unsteady, but she clung to Lauren’s arm.

Lucien ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly as he leaned against the wall. His thoughts were a tangled mess with memories of their past. He had always known Aurelia was unpredictable, but tonight felt different. There was a vulnerability to her that he hadn’t seen in years, and it stirred something in him.

Later that night, the mansion was silent. The only sound was the occasional rustle of leaves outside as a cold wind swept through the grounds. Lucien stood on the balcony outside his master bedroom, a cigarette perched between his fingers and a nearly empty bottle of whiskey at his side. He stared out into the darkness, his mind replaying the events of the evening.

Suddenly, the creak of his door broke his messy thoughts. His head snapped toward the sound, his body tensing as he stepped back inside. Turning on the light, he froze.

There she was. Aurelia stood in the doorway, her hair tousled from sleep, her expression were soft and unsure. She was wearing one of his old shirts, the fabric hanging loosely on her frame.

"Aurelia," he called in low voice.

But she didn’t say a word. Instead, she moved toward the bed, her bare feet padding softly against the floor. She climbed in without hesitation, pulling the covers over herself.

Lucien stared at her, his jaw tightening. "What are you doing?" he asked.

She looked up at him and her eyes glassy. "I didn’t want to sleep alone. It's so cold, but it's warmer here," she murmured.

Lucien stood by the window, taking a deep breath as he watched Aurelia's peaceful face, her chest rising and falling in rhythm. He was almost convinced she was still asleep until her eyes suddenly fluttered open, locking onto his.

"Aren't you coming to bed?" Her voice was soft with vulnerability that made his heart twist.

Lucien let out a short, dry scoff, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. "Are you still drunk?"

Aurelia shook her head but her expression calm. "No. I'm not."

"You'd never admit it," he muttered.

She sat up slightly, brushing her loose hair from her face. "Come to bed," she murmured again, her eyes pleading. "It'll be warmer with you here."

The words sent an unexpected ache through Lucien as much as he wanted to ignore it and shut her out like he always did. The way she looked at him, her soft brown eyes holding his, made his defense waver.

He dropped his cigarette into the ashtray, snuffed it out, and walked to the bathroom, Moments later, he slipped under the covers. The space beside Aurelia was warm, too warm.

She smiled at him, a quiet, satisfied smile. But then, her gaze turned so innocent, her lips parting as she hesitated. "Lucien..." Her eyes locked on his. "Are you really gay?"

Lucien let out a low chuckle, turning his face away from her. "You tell me. Where'd you even hear that?"

Before he could finish the thought, he froze. Aurelia's hand moved lightly over his chest, her fingers tracing the faint outline of his muscles. His breath hitched as he was caught off guard.

"Can you make an exception?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "I want..." She leaned closer, her lips brushing against his lightly, "I want you to make love to me."

Lucien pulled the duvet back about to leave. But Aurelia moved faster, straddling him, her hands pressing against his shoulders to hold him in place. Her face was inches from his.

"Don't you think this is your fault?" she asked, her eyes brimming. "I'm 25, Lucien. Twenty-five. I was married to you for two years, and I'm still a virgin. You're responsible for this. Are you just going to run away again?"

Lucien swallowed hard. He shook his head, his voice firm. "You're drunk, Lia. You're still drunk. If this is what you want, wait until you're sober. Then we'll talk."

"I'm not drunk," Aurelia said quietly. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached for the hem of his shirt on her, slipping it over her head and letting it fall to the floor. Her body in full display, only her panties were left and Lucien immediately looked away, his jaw tightening.

"Put your dress back on," he said, his voice low and strained. "You don't want to do this. Trust me, you'll regret it."

She didn't move, her voice breaking as she leaned closer. "Aren't you curious why I went to the club tonight? I wanted to find someone, Lucien. Anyone. But I couldn't do it. I couldn't give myself to a stranger. I came back because I want it to be you. Please..."

Her lips brushed his neck, her breath warm against his skin. "Do you want some random guy taking what should have been yours all along?"

Lucien closed his eyes, his mind screaming at him to push her away, but his body stayed rooted in place. Her words wrapped around his heart.

Their eyes locked-hers wide, searching, their breaths mingling between them. Lucien's lips finally touched hers, it wasn't gentle. It was desperate, filled with need and restraint all at once. The heat of his mouth sent a shockwave through her.

She gasped against him, her fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer. His other hand slid around her waist, pressing her body flush against his. The pressure was firm, possessive, as if he was afraid she might slip away.

The kiss deepened. His lips moved against hers with a hunger that sent shivers down her spine. Lucien's hands grabbed her butt, squeezing it possessively.

She was drunk. He needed to stop, but her body against his, made him feel dizzy. Lucien scouted her over, climbing over her. His lips began trailing every part of her skin. A low growl rumbled from his throat the moment he felt her hands brush against his hardened.

He cupped her breasts. Aurelia felt n*****s stiffened under his touch. He stroked a finger over her panties. Lucien froze, she was reacting to his every touch. Their eyes held each other, and he leaned in, burying his head in her neck.

"You're not drunk," he whispered, but Aurelia said nothing.

He shoved her panties aside and ran his fingers through the folds, spreading her lips. His hands against her slit sent a shiver racing through her body. Aurelia knew she needed more, she then, lifted a leg up onto his shoulders. Lucien pushed a finger, then two, inside her, curling them against her spot.

Aurelia's body shuddered with lust, even as she tried to remain silent, her moans broke out with pleasure as he thrusted his fingers in and out.

"Why?" Her eyes darted around, trying so hard to avoid his piercing gaze. "Why.... why am I here?" She gulped hard as she finished her sentence.

Lucien scoffed in a mocking tone. "Don't you remember? You came home, threatening me to be responsible for you..." A smile curled his lips, "I didn't know my wife was a first-timer."

Aurelia chest rose and fell as she stared at Lucien.

"Well, I did miss you because these days. My mansion feels empty... I didn't think you'd be getting over me so fast, I thought you loved me? What? Having s*x with some random guy?"

"I think you're forgetting a part of our story, Lucien, we are divorced. Divorced, don't you know the meaning of being Divorced? It means our marriage is over," she stated, staring furiously into Lucien's eyes, suddenly, her eyes lowered down to his bare chest, and flashbacks snuck into her memories, her moans, his head buried between her legs. Aurelia's chest rose and fell from heavy and tensed breathing.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Put on something already, are you going to stand there naked!" She screamed, tossing one pillow at him. Aurelia sighed heavily, her neck dragging from excess thought, "I can't believe this, why did I come here?"

Aurelia felt a hand clasp around her ankle. As soon as she realised what Lucien was up to, she grabbed the sheets, covering her body tightly. She gasped, her face a few inches to his.

"Drop the act, Aurelia, you weren't drunk when you seduced me last night," he whispered. Again, their eyes met, but this time, Aurelia’s eyes were beaming with guilt. "You need to shower... you made a huge mess last night."

Aurelia watched as he walked out of the room without looking back at her. She thought she could escape this if she claimed she was drunk, but she didn't think Lucien would pick up quickly.