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Aurora recognized the marks. They were just friction burns from her earlier struggle.
She withdrew her hand, a flicker of awkwardness in the motion.
“It’s nothing. Just a few scrapes.”
She tried to dismiss him again. “You can go now. I can handle it on my own.”
Lucas‘ gaze darkened.
He hadn’t expected that even now, Aurora still wouldn’t tell him the truth.
Why couldn’t she just open up to him for once and say what had really happened?
“You think this is nothing?”
Aurora, not catching the weight in his voice, replied casually, “Yeah, it’s fine. A good night’s sleep and I’ll be back to normal.”
She just wanted to hurry and take a shower.
But when she looked up again, her eyes met his dark, steady, and unflinching.
“What is it?” she asked, still a little confused.
“Rora, I need you to stop pretending to be so strong all the time,” he said, voice low, filled with care and quiet frustration.
“You can lean on me. You don’t have to carry everything alone.”
Aurora froze.
No one had ever said anything like that to her before.
Her mother had raised her under strict discipline, never showing much warmth.
It was that cold upbringing that had taught her to be self–reliant, to face everything head–on without expecting help.
But now, for the first time, someone was telling her she didn’t have to.
She didn’t know how to respond.
“I…I get it. Just go, okay?” she said, her voice a little off, her gaze darting away.
The bathroom was small, and with both of them standing so close, it felt like the air had thinned.
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Every breath she took was filled with Lucas‘ presence.
Lucas looked at the dirt and bruises covering Aurora’s body, and his heart ached for her.
So, he relented. “Alright. Take your time. If you need anything, just call me.”
With that, he turned and left.
The moment the door closed behind him, Aurora finally let out a long breath and sank fully into the bathtub.
Today had been exhausting–physically and emotionally.
Everything she’d gone through felt unreal, almost too much to process.
Right now, all she wanted was to wash away the day, let herself unwind, and stop thinking about everything that had happened.
By the time she stepped out, Lucas was standing by, towel in hand, drying his wet hair.
He wore nothing but a simple bathrobe.
The cool, detached air he usually carried was still there, but now it was softened by something more human, more real–less like an untouchable figure, and more like a man.
Aurora’s cheeks flushed slightly at the sight.
“You done?” Lucas asked, glancing her way.
She gave a soft “mm.”
Without hesitation, Lucas picked up the hair dryer. “Let me dry your hair.”
Aurora wanted to refuse, but seeing how naturally he offered, she didn’t have the heart to turn
him down.
If he wanted to help, why not let him?
She deserved a little care too, didn’t she?
So, she accepted, letting herself relax into the moment.
Sitting at the edge of the bed, she watched as Lucas stepped up beside her.
He was tall, and when he stood over her, his shadow seemed to wrap around her like an embrace.
Something about it made her heart skip a beat.
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His large, well–shaped hands moved gently through her hair, careful and precise, not pulling or tugging even once.
Aurora could his care in every motion.
