Rebirth After Being Betrayed by My Husband by Isabella Reed

Chapter 194

+8 Pearls

Ethan walked beside Lily, still shaken by the encounter. “As my devoted wife, shouldn't you be jealous that some

random woman touchedand insist on takinghto scrubclean?” he asked, feigning

disappointment.

Lily arched an eyebrow at him, arms crossed. “Do | look like | have that kind of tto waste? Besides, who told

you to catch her in the first place?”

Ethan blinked, his mouth opening as if to explain. Would she believeif | said it was just a reflex?

“Don’t even think about using that excuse,” Lily snapped, narrowing her eyes.

Caught off guard, Ethan chuckled nervously. Despite her annoyance, he found her jealousy endearing. “You

know,” he said, his voice soft, “you're kind of cute when you're mad.”

Her glare intensified. “And you're irritating when you're not taking this seriously. Why are you smiling anyway?

Enjoying the fact that another woman was all over you?”

His smile disappeared instantly, and he shook his head in a panic. “No, no! Of course not. | just... I'm happy you

care enough to be jealous. It means you love me.”

Rolling her eyes, Lily waved him off. “Let’s focus on finding Aurora, shall we? Are you coming or not?”

“Coming,” Ethan pouted, reaching for her hand. “But how about this-you punishwhen we get

Lily considered his words for a moment before nodding. “Maybe.”

“In bed?” he added, grinning mischievously.

home?”

Lily stopped in her tracks, staring at him in disbelief. “Why do you always think about that? What happened to

your legendary self-control?”

He grinned cheekily. “Well, with you around, all my self-control flies out the window. Besides, isn't it the best way

to express my love for you?”

Lily blushed, biting back a laugh. “Enough already. Let's find Aurora.”

They continued through the dimly lit hallway, guided by a waiter who directed them toward a quieter part of the

venue. The corridor was eerily deserted, with only a faint light flickering overhead.

As they reached a door that was slightly ajar, Lily paused. “Do you think she’s in there?” s whispered.

Ethan shrugged, glancing at the door. “Only one way to find out.”

Lily took a deep breath and stepped forward, pushing the door open cautiously.

They moved cautiously through the dim hallway, their steps echoing lightly against the wooden floor. When Lily

reached out to knock on the slightly ajar door, it opened abruptly. Standing before them was a petite woman,

bundled in a plain dress with a beanie pulled low over her head and a scarf wrapped snugly around her neck.

The transformation from the glamorous performer they had just seen on stage was striking.

“Are you Miss Aurora?” Lily asked gently, her voice steady.

however, caught the fleeting reaction. Her posture stiffened, and she clutched her scarf tighter, as if shielding

herself. Her mind raced with possibilities. Who are these people? How do they know my real name?

In this bar, she was only known as the “Mysterious Woman.” The idea that someone might know her true identity

made her uneasy.

“I'm sorry, you must have the wrong person,” she said briskly, stepping around them. She didn’t get far. Two

imposing bodyguards suddenly appeared, blocking her path with crossed arms.

“What is the meaning of this?” Aurora demanded, turning back to face the couple. Her voice quivered, but her

eyes blazed with defiance. “Who are you, and why are they stopping me?”

Lily stepped forward, offering a calm smile. “We just want to talk to you, Miss Aurora.”

Realizing she was cornered, Aurora clenched her fists and exhaled sharply. “Fine. What do you want?” she asked

through gritted teeth.

“Can we talk somewhere more private?” Lily suggested, her tone gentle yet firm.

Aurora studied them closely. They didn’t look threatening, but she wasn’t ready to let her guard down. “No,” she

replied curtly. “I'm not going anywhere.”

Sensing her unease, Lily softened her voice. “We mean no harm, | promise. This is about an opportunity for you-

something that could change your life.”

Something in Lily's sincerity made Aurora pause. Against her better judgment, she nodded reluctantly. “Alright,

but it better be quick.”

Minutes later, the three of them were seated in a cozy, private lounge at a nearby upscale restaurant. Aurora sat

stiffly, her wary gaze darting between Lily and Ethan.

Lily wasted no time. She laid out her proposal with transparency, explaining how she wanted to launch Aurora's

singing career and use her talent as part of a larger plan involving the famous singer Riley.

“So, letget this straight,” Aurora said, her voice laced with skepticism. “You want to makea star, but also

useas a tool in spersonal vendetta against Riley?”

Lily nodded confidently.

Aurora stared at them for a long moment, then leaned back in her chair with a dry laugh. “Do you two even

realize that Riley is my idol?”

Lily froze, her mind blank for a moment. “What?”

Ethan blinked, equally caught off guard. “She's... your idol?”

Lily turned to him with a sharp glare. “You didn’t think to tellthis?”

“How was | supposed to know?” Ethan defended himself, raising his hands in surrender. “I can’t read minds, you

know.”

Lily narrowed her eyes. “Talking about other women’s hearts now, are we?”

“Wifey, no! You're misunderstanding,” Ethan said, his tone pleading.

“Am I?” she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

+8 Pearls

Ethan sighed, his shoulders sagging. “Alright, it's all my fault. I'm sorry. Now, what do we do?”

Their comical exchange made Aurora stifle a chuckle. Clearing her throat to regain their attention, she said

firmly, “Even if Riley wasn’t my idol, I still wouldn't agree to your plan.”

“Why not?” Lily asked, leaning forward, her determination unwavering.

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