After standing up from the sofa, Brian approached the door and peeked at the peephole.A smile
flashed across his lips when he saw who was waiting outside.
He opened the door and greeted, "Mr.Collins, how are you? It's been a long time since we last saw
each other."
"Mr.Clark? What are you doing here? Where is Ayla?"
The moment Brian opened the door for him, Lucas immediately sensed some danger.Since the man
before him was in Ayla's house, all he could think about was her safety.
"Why are you asking such stupid questions, Mr.Collins? After all, I'm Ayla's husband.I'm more curious
as to why you're so caring towards her."
In that instance, Brian was blocking the entrance with his body so that Lucas couldn't enter.
'Maybe it's fortunate that Lucas and Ayla aren't living in the same apartment, ' he thought.
However, Lucas shoved Brian out of the way and forced his way inside.
"Lala, where are you?"
Despite looking at every nook and cranny of the apartment, Lucas couldn't find Ayla.
"Brian, where is she? What did you do to Ayla?"
Enraged, Lucas marched towards Brian and grabbed him by the collar.
"Where is she? Have you had enough of torturing her?"
"What are you talking about? I haven't done anything to her.Moreover, you ought to realize your
position and mine."
Then, Brian shoved away Lucas' hand.
'How dare you take advantage of her? I won't allow you to lay a finger on her"
"You dare mention your position? I don't care that everyone is afraid of you, Brian.What are you to her?
Nonetheless, stay away from her.Your presence will only cause her sorrow."
If he had known that this would happen, Lucas would have stayed beside Ayla.
In that way, Brian wouldn't be able to approach her.
Unfortunately, Brian found her.
As such, Ayla had to live under the shadow he cast upon her.
"I will cause her sorrow? That's rich coming from you.If you want to blame someone, look at yourself
first.Just now, Ayla was at the airport.You should already realize what she saw there.So before making
a decision, carefully think about if you can truly give her the happiness she deserves."
Brian could only glare at Lucas at the moment.He couldn't do anything yet, as Tatum was a cruel
man.He needed to be careful about his plans.
Stunned, Lucas widened his eyes.
"This is all your fault! You deliberately took her there as part of your scheme.How dare you put
suspicions in her head?"
"My intentions are not what's important here.The fact is, you're cheating on Ayla!"
Brian already realized Tatum's scheme.
Aside from keeping an eye on Lucas, Tatum also let his daughter accompany Lucas back to A City, so
that she could figure out the woman who made him stay in Italy in the past two years.
"That's not true! Nothing happened between that woman and me.If I explain everything to Ayla, she will
surely believe me."
For two years, Lucas and Ayla had shared a wonderful relationship.As such, they could easily fix such
a misunderstanding.With a glare, Brian retorted, "Don't try to drown the truth by raising your voice.
Moreover, Ayla has changed and is different from what she was two years ago.
The same goes for me.This time, I will not hurt her.
However, as long as you're with her, she's just another target for Tatum.
Have you forgotten what happened two years ago?"
Back then, when Ayla's life was in danger, Lucas' subordinate, Aldo, secretly informed him, so he was
able to save her.
However, he didn't dare test his fortune this time.
"I know that you want to get back at me.However, leave her out of it," Brian told Lucas in a proud voice.
For Ayla's sake, he even stopped his illegal businesses for more than two years.He was planning to
turn over a new leaf.
"I suggest you leave already and think things through," Brian added with a stern expression.
Lucas should do what was best for Ayla if he truly loved her.
As he left the apartment, Lucas took the elevator directly to the underground parking lot.
Meanwhile, Ayla was waiting in front of the elevator in the lobby, holding a large bag of groceries.As
such, the two didn't cross paths.
The moment Ayla arrived upstairs, she noticed that the front door remained open.
Meanwhile, Brian was smoking a cigarette in front of an open window.
With a confused look, she asked, "Why is the door open? Someone might break in.Aren't you afraid?"
"You came back.I was afraid that you'd never return."
After putting out his cigarette, he approached her, wondering what to say.
However, all he could do was stare at her and take the bags from her hand.
Earlier, she wanted to drive him out.
However, she still went to the grocery store and bought a lot of things.
"What are you saying? I own this place.If someone's supposed to leave, it's you."
She took the fresh vegetables and fruits she bought to the kitchen.
After putting them in the fridge, she remembered how Lucas used to prepare such things for her.
Nonetheless, Ayla was determined to rely only on herself from now on.
Meanwhile, Brian skimmed through the remaining groceries and found a large bag of instant noodles.
With a worried expression, he asked, "Are you going to eat these?"
However, Ayla only glared at him.
"It doesn't concern you.I don't need your opinion, Mr.Clark."
"I usually don't stick my nose in someone else's business.The high amount of preservative won't be
enough to kill me.Nonetheless, if you're planning to eat those by yourself, I'll throw them away right
now."
Brian grabbed a packet of instant noodles and tossed it into the garbage bin.
"What are you doing?"
Furious, Ayla stomped her foot on his foot.Unfortunately, she was wearing slippers.
Although she kicked his legs a few times with more force, he didn't feel pain at all.
"Stop it! You've been throwing a fit ever since you left the hospital this morning.Don't you get tired of
your temper tantrums?"
A sigh escaped Brian's breath as he gave her a helpless look.
In his head, he figured that she was acting like that because she had learned to live independently in
the past two years.
Moreover, Lucas might have let her have everything she wanted, turning her into a spoiled brat.
Meanwhile, Ayla just sneered at him as she continued to unpack the groceries.She diligently arranged
them into the fridge before closing the fridge door.
When she turned around, Ayla noticed that Brian was still at the kitchen door.
At that moment, she realized aside from not having dinner yet, he must have also missed lunch.
In her head, she wondered if she should let him Starve.
However, she decided to steal her heart and ignore his hunger.
After all, he might leave if he became too hungry.
There was no need for her to care about him.
Brian remained quiet as Ayla went to her room.
After a sigh, he sat down on the sofa and turned on the television.
After flipping through the channels, he found himself watching the financial news.
Meanwhile, Ayla remained restless as she sat in her room.
The faint sound from the television still echoed through her walls.
Although she was holding her phone, she couldn't dial Lucas' number.She was afraid of not being able
to let him go.
Nonetheless, if he wanted to be with the gorgeous lady at the airport, it was something she couldn't
control.
On the other hand, Lucas was standing in his hotel room.
Although he didn't mean to, he was afraid that he had hurt Ayla again.
He had no idea if he could still protect her like what happened two years ago.
Suddenly, Haley approached him with a seductive charm.
"Lucas, why are you drinking alone? I'm also craving alcohol.Allow me to join you."
After getting a glass of wine, she walked up to him and looked into his eyes.
Earlier that afternoon, Lucas left in a hurry.It was already late when he returned to the hotel.
There was no need for Haley to ask what happened to him.Her woman's intuition already figured out
that his problem had something to do with a lady.
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