Chapter 49
Ava appeared taken aback, her eyes catching my words. She managed to force a smile gate) her sad face, an odd mix of emotions welling, evoking a poignant feeling
I reached out and embraced Aya, wordlessly offering comfort and strength
Keturned to my villa at Hillcrest One Residence,
I took a shower and donned my pajamas. After dressing, I heard the sound of the door opening from outside,
I sighed softly as I pondered the night’s events at the bar and glanced at the small box resting on my bed. Gathering my resolve, I picked up the item and made my way outside
Just as Lukas hung his coat, he spotted me approaching, clutching a small black and blue
box.
His brow furrowed. “You’re not asleep yet?”
I nodded and extended the box to him, saying, “I want to thank you for saving me last nigin This is for you.”
Lukas saw the box and heard a familiar voice echoing in his mind, “Are you falling for than
woman?”
His expression darkened, his tone tinged with annoyance. “As I said, any man would have saved you, especially when we’re legally married.”
Once the gift was given, there was no taking it back.
I stood my ground. “Well, I believe in tit–for–tat. I believe in reciprocity. Even though me he married, it doesn’t mean you were obligated to save me. I prefer to be clear and not one anyone anything.”
Lukas’s gaze flickered, countless thoughts darting through his mind. Did Sophia have ulterior motives, using this gift as an opportunity?
After all, a cufflink was a more intimate present, and wearing something she gave him
12:50 O
Abandoned by My Hushed 1 flashed Marred to a Bib
Chapter 49
might lead to ambiguous feelings. She might harbor expectations from this gesture.
Looking back, Lukas realises that legal relationships are one thing, but emotions are another. He didn’t want to get involved in any emotional disputes.
His handsome face darkened further as he spoke, “Sophia, there’s no need for the cufflink. I don’t lack such things. As long as you don’t harbor inappropriate intentions, I won’t mistreat you. However, if there’s a woman who relentlessly pursues me, I won’t be gentle
with her either.”
My face shifted, a surge of anger washing over me.
I recognized Lukas as the kind of person who wouldn’t back down, even in the face of
trivial matters.
Our marriage had likely resulted from his challenged pride, and its impact on him had been minimal, leading to his agreement.
However, now that he had come to his senses, it appeared he feared me developing
feelings, becoming entwined with him, and extending that attachment beyond our one–year marriage contract.
Throughout my life, despite my family’s mistreatment, I’d always garnered admiration at school. I had never been so directly scolded by someone.
My strong–willed nature felt insulted.
Gazing at Lukas, my voice quivered with emotion. “Mr Strakovski, please be assured that I would never stoop so low as to cling to a man. That’s the last thing I would do in my life.”
Observing my ire, Lukas arched an eyebrow. “That’s good. I hope you’re not just saying that out of anger and trying to be brave for a moment!”
Anger surged within me, but I curbed the impulse to lash out. Losing my temper over this
was beneath me.
Retaining my poise, my tone became assertive. “Mr Strakovski, don’t overestimate yourself. Are you so certain it’s me who would harbor feelings and not the other way around?”
My question caught Lukas off guard, seemingly unprepared for my retort.
He responded with most confidence, “Pest assured, that’s absolutely not a possibility.”
“Glad to hear it Your assurance brings me great relief” I offered a sardonic smile.
tarkes seemed to sense my reluctance and cast a fleeting glance at me before uttering: ‘Let mw wil you this I used to be a smoker, but one day I made a decision to quit. And just like that, I quit. Perhaps what others find hard to let go of, doesn’t hold the same weight for me.”
In the end, he was utterly unfeeling, I could only keep my smile,
But that was irrelevant to me,
I didn’t harbor any affection for him–1 felt gratitude at most.
Meeting, Laikas’s gaze, 1 asserted confidently, “Mr Strakovski, I comprehend your concerns. You needn’t reiterate them. I can see it clearly myself. Our marriage is mutually beneficial, and I’m well aware that the things you’re worried about will never happen!”
I glanced at the cufflink box in my hand, a self deprecating chuckle escaping my lips. “Handing this over was a mistake on my part. It won’t happen again in the future.”
1 retrieved the cufflink box and started to walk away.
For reasons unknown to him, a hint of displeasure stirred within Lukas. He frowned and called after me, “Sophia!”
