Aurora frowned the moment her eyes landed on Jake. She turned to Angel, shooting her a deadly glare—but Angel quickly averted her eyes, pretending not to notice the storm that had just entered the room.
Trying to keep the mood light, Angel gestured toward the dining table. "Come on, let's eat," she said with a strained smile.Jake sat directly opposite Aurora, his eyes never leaving her face.She could feel the weight of his gaze pressing against her skin, but she stubbornly kept her eyes trained on her plate, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a glance.
"Aurora, please pass Jake the salad bowl," Angel requested politely.Aurora hesitated. Her fingers tightened around the bowl before she slid it across the table without looking up. "Here you go," she muttered.
But fate had other plans. Jake reached out at the same time, and his fingers brushed hers just barely, yet it sent a jolt through her body. Her heart skipped a beat, and before she could stop herself, she looked up.Their eyes locked.There, in that quiet moment, no words were spoken. But so much was said.The pain. The regret. The yearning. It was all there.
Aurora blinked rapidly and turned away, afraid she might break down in front of everyone.
"Baby, what will you have?" Maxwell asked gently, trying to ease the tension."I'll just have juice. I've lost my appetite," Aurora replied flatly.
"But—" Angel began.
"Don't try to convince me, Angel. You're at fault here, remember?" Aurora snapped, her voice clipped and cold.Angel raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, fine. But at least try to eat something."I said I'm fine. The juice will do."There was an awkward silence before Maxwell leaned in with a nervous smile. "Aurora, I know this might sound a bit personal, but… I've been curious about something, and I really want to ask."
Aurora nodded. "Of course, Max. You can ask me anything. You're like a brother to me, apart from being a close friend."Maxwell took a breath. "Would you… like to get married someday?" Jake froze mid-chew. His head snapped up, his jaw tense as he turned to Maxwell with a confused, questioning glare.
Aurora didn't hesitate. "Of course I'd love to get married. To Mark Wilson, preferably. He's handsome, successful… an eligible bachelor."
Silence.
Jake's fork clattered against his plate.
Oh God… did I really just say that out loud? Aurora thought. The conversation I had with Angel was still spinning in my head—I didn't mean to say his name in front of Jake. What is wrong with me?
Angel choked on her water and coughed violently. "Wha—what did you just say?" she asked, eyes wide in disbelief.Aurora felt Jake's stare intensify. She didn't need to look to know he was fuming. His hands were clenched into fists on the table. The veins in his forehead were bulging, his jaw grinding with rage. He looked like he could murder someone right there and then.
Maxwell shifted uncomfortably. He hadn't meant to start a firestorm.He wasn't expecting her to mention Jake's name—of course not, not after everything—but Mark Wilson? Jake's direct rival? That was a low blow.Jake didn't say a word. He pushed his chair back and stood."Excuse me," he said sharply and walked out of the room without sparing anyone a second glance."I'm also going to bed," Aurora announced stiffly. "Aurora, at least finish the juice," Angel pleaded.
"I'm full," she snapped. "Goodnight."
And with that, she stormed out of the dining room.Later, Jake barged into the study and sank into a chair beside Maxwell."Hey, bro, where did you run off to?" Maxwell asked, concern etched in his tone."I needed some fresh air," Jake muttered, dragging a hand down his face."I'm sorry, Jake," Maxwell said after a pause. "I shouldn't have asked her that question in front of you. I knew she wouldn't mention your name… but I thought she'd say she wasn't ready or something. I just didn't expect…"
Jake scoffed bitterly. "Or were you hoping she'd mention your name instead?"
Maxwell looked down. "No, I wasn't. I knew she was still mad at you… but to mention his name? Bro, I can't lie—it was brutal. I can't even describe how I felt when she said it."
Jake's eyes darkened. "She's doing this on purpose. She wants to punish me. And she's succeeding." He turned to Angel. "Angel, do you know anything about this? About Mark?"
Angel raised a brow, folding her arms. "Why are you asking me? I know nothing."
But her eyes said otherwise.Jake leaned back, sighing deeply, his thoughts running wild.He had promised himself he wouldn't give up.But tonight, her words had cut deeper than any wound ever could.