After the CEO Divorced Me, He Wants Me Back (Aveline and Lucas)

In the photo, Maria's elegant smile lit up the frame, her eyes fixed on the camera with effortless grace, while Sidney's gaze rested on her, clear and steady, tinged with curiosity. His sharp, clean-cut features only added to the charm of the moment, creating a sense of intimacy in the captured image.

Sidney noticed the picture but didn't protest-at this point, he was indifferent to what she did. Their relationship was complicated enough as it was. Maria, on the other hand, was thrilled with the photo.

She immediately set it as her lock screen and posted it on her social media.

Within minutes, she received a flood of likes and comments, but she ignored them for the time being.

Putting her phone aside, she rested her chin on her hand and gazed at Sidney.

"You said you were hungry," Sidney commented in his usual calm tone.

Without missing a beat, Maria replied, "Haven't you heard of the saying 'feast for the eyes'?"

Sidney paused mid-bite, casting a cool glance her way. "If you're not hungry, I'll pack this up and take it with me. Saves me from cooking tomorrow." Maria laughed at his dry response and picked up her utensils to start eating.

Though she claimed to be hungry, she didn't eat much, and after one plate of pasta, she set her fork down.

Sidney, having finished his meal, was already clearing the table.

Watching him, Maria quietly slipped away to the living room and sat on the sofa. She pulled out her phone and opened the email Sidney had sent her.

He had clearly prepared well in advance. The business plan was thorough, outlining both the strengths and weaknesses of the studio in a detailed, straightforward manner. Maria was engrossed in reading when she realized Sidney had joined her on the couch.

"Finished reading?" he asked when she looked up.

She put her phone down, an amused expression on her face. "Sidney, are you planning something?"

Sidney blinked, taken aback. "What?"

Maria smiled slyly. "Tonight, you didn't reject me. Was that all part of your plan to get what you wanted?"

Sidney's brows furrowed at the accusation. "I didn't think that way."

As Maria leaned in closer, her fragrance surrounded Sidney, drifting to his nose.

she asked, her voice

"So, teasing. "Why didn't you?

soft

thought you hatenet

I you

swnonet

If he disliked her so much, why had he accepted her invitation tonight?

Perhaps he was just playing along-after all, he was still a man, and no man could abstain forever, right?

Under her intense gaze, Sidney's

composed face flickered with

awkwardness. He avoided her eyes, standing abruptly. "It's late. I should go. Let me know once you've made a decision." en

Without waiting for a response, he left in a hurry.

Huh? What was that?

Maria stared after him, puzzled by his sudden reaction.

She pulled out her phone and sent him a message.

"Why are you running?"

But there was no reply as if he had blocked out her message completely.

For a while, she just stared at the lock screen with their photo, a slow smile spreading across her face.

That strange feeling in her chest caught her off guard, but she couldn't help enjoying it.

Maybe giving up her previous plans and trying to get along with him wasn't such a bad idea after all.

SheConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

bedrup and headed to the she was about to settle out

ready to call it a night. But

just

her phone rang.

The screen showed an unfamiliar number, and Maria immediately hung up.

No way she was answering a random call-it could be a scammer or worse. But then a text came through.

"Mary, it's Mom. Why didn't you pick up?"