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

"No, Aveline, you're overthinking this," Gernard said urgently, his gaze sincere. "You probably don't know this, but every time I saw you before, I felt this strange sense of connection, like I wanted to be closer to you. At the time, I just thought it was odd, but looking back His voice softened as he continued, "When I found out you were my sister, I was genuinely happy. Don't say things like that again-it'll really upset me."

now, I think that was the bond of family-it's just that I didn't realize it."Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

Aveline smiled at him. "That's why I wanted to clear the air. It avoids so many misunderstandings."

"You're right." Gernard nodded in agreement, then glanced at the elegant box in front of her. "Now, go ahead and open it."

"Okay." Aveline nodded and opened the box, revealing a beautiful gemstone bracelet, its stones clear and radiant.

Her eyes lit up as she exclaimed, "I love this bracelet!"

Gernard's face broke into a smile. "I'm glad you like it."

"There's something I've been meaning to tell you," he said, his expression suddenly more serious.

"Oh?" Aveline, still admiring the bracelet, looked up at him in curiosity. "What is it?"

"It's about the time you were kidnapped. Do you know who was behind it?" Gernard asked, his eyes watching her carefully.

Aveline shook her head. "I have no idea."

Gernard sighed. "It was Russell."

"What? That's impossible!" Aveline's face paled as she instinctively denied it.

How could it have been Russell?

Why would he do something like that?

But then, as her thoughts spiraled, she remembered how her vision had been taken away during her captivity. It suddenly clicked-her captor must have known her, which explained why they kept her blinded. And now, hearing Gernard say it was Russell... it started to make sense.

Her face turned even paler.

She had never once suspected him. How could it have been him?

Gernard, seeing the shock on her face, said gently, "I knew it would be hard for you to accept, which is why I've kept it from you for so long. But this is your life, and you deserve to know. After thinking it over, I decided it was time to tell you. No matter what you choose to do, I'll support you."

Aveline's voice was distant as she muttered, "I need some time to process this."

"Take your time to think it through. If you need anything, you know where to find me," Gernard said as he stood up, offering her a reassuring look before quietly leaving the room.

The room was large, beautifully decorated, and comfortably warm, with the subtle signs of the approaching New Year visible in every corner.

But despite the cozy surroundings, Aveline felt an icy chill deep within her soul, a coldness she couldn't shake. Wrapping her arms around herself, she tried to fight it off.

Her mind wandered to all the moments she had shared with Russell-the memories flooding back. They had been through so much together, and he had helped her more than once...

In her heart, Russell had been more than just a good friend. He had felt like family, someone she could trust completely.

But now... all that trust had been shattered.

How could he have done something like this?

Aveline closed her eyes as if trying to block out the painful realization. Perhaps, deep down, the signs had been there all along. She just hadn't wanted to see them.

She later shared what she had learned with Selena, who, to Aveline's surprise, didn't seem shocked at all.

"What's with that look?" Aveline asked, clearly puzzled by Selena's lack of reaction.

Selena gave a small, knowing smile. "It's not all that surprising, really. I've long suspected his feelings for you What surprises me isn't that he did it, but

t that he went this far. Didn't he think that if the truth ever came out, he'd lose you completely-even as a friend?"