Unwilling Bride: The 1V5 Love Drama novel Chapter 389

Chapter 389 You’ve Never Given Me A Hug

Chapter 389 You’ve Never Given Me A Hug

+10 Free Coa

The air between the two men was thick with hostility, sharp enough to draw blood. Keith asked in a frigid tone, “Are you living here?”

“I am.”

That single word snapped Keith’s last nerve. An icy aura began to radiate from him, chilling the surrounding air. “By what right?”

Laurent looked him dead in the eye. “If you want to go a round with me, I’m game anytime. But what are you so worked up about. Keith? You and the others have had far more opportunities to spend time with her than I have. If you didn’t have the guts or the skill to move in, that’s your problem

Ava finally sensed the brewing storm. She turned around, saw the explosive tension between them, and rushed over. She threw herself between them, her heart pounding as she looked from one to the other.

“Can we please just talk this out calmly?”

Laurent shot Keith one last look before leading the way into the living room.

Though Keith was seething with rage, he forced himself to settle his breathing and rein in his lethal aura. “Ava,” he said softly, “is he really staying here with you?”

Ava stole a cautious glance at Keith’s face. “Yes. Didn’t you all agree that Laurent should take over my training? His place is too far from here, so I agreed to let him stay temporarily.”

Keith didn’t find any comfort in her explanation.

During this time, the rest of them had been on their best behavior. Even though they each technically had a designated room in this villa, not one of them had actually stayed the night.

While it wasn’t exactly a happy arrangement, it had been acceptable because everyone was in the same boat. No one was “special.”

But now, Laurent had barely returned, and he had already taken up residence! It was just the two of them in this house!

How could he not be furious? He was angry that Laurent had moved in, but deeper down, he was terrified that Ava was starting to see Laurent differently. Regardless of how it happened, the fact that she had said yes changed everything.

“Ava? What about me, then?” Keith’s voice dropped to a low, quiet murmur. It wasn’t an accusation; it was almost a plea. “I thought we all held the same place in your heart.”

He let out a faint, hollow laugh, looking incredibly fragile. “He gets to stay, while I’m the one who has ro leave?”

“Weren’t we all forced matches for you? Is there actually a hierarchy in your heart after all?”

Ava felt like she was sinking into a swamp. She looked at him, realizing that if Keith had shouted at her or

12

Chapter 389 You’ve Never Given Me A Hug

+10 Free Copis

demanded answers, she might have been able to handle it. But his vulnerability made her feel a crushing weight of guilt. She began to wonder: Am I really playing favorites? She had always prided herself on being a “master of balance.” treating them all with equal kindness.

“No! I’m not playing favorites!” Ava stepped closer and tugged at his sleeve. “I truly just thought his commute was too long and he was getting back so late at night. That’s the only reason I said yes.” She looked up at him. “It was inconsiderate of me. Please don’t be angry, okay?”

Keith looked over at Laurent, their gazes clashing in midair.

He reached out and stroked Ava’s hair. “How could I ever stay angry with you? I could never be mad at you, Ava. At most. I’m just sulking at my own inadequacy.”

Laurent watched from the sidelines, a smirk of pure derision touching his lips. What of performance. The man was a better actor than Ryan, who worked in the entertainment industry!

And yet, Ava was falling for it hook, line, and sinker.

Keith, the fragile, noble gentleman? It was enough to make Laurent laugh out loud. The man was a predator masquerading as a gentle soul.

“Are you really not mad anymore?” Ava asked.

“Of course not.” Keith looked into her eyes, “Ava… can I move in, too?”

Ava’s brow furrowed slightly. Keith immediately added, “Am I not allowed?”

His expression looked as though he were about to shatter. Ava let out a long, internal sigh. She reached out and gave him a brief hug around the waist. “Fine. If you want to move in, move in. But it’s a long way from your office.”

“That doesn’t matter,” Keith said. His expression cleared instantly, blooming like a spring breeze; there wasn’t a trace of that “fragility” left.

Laurent didn’t interfere. It was a silent pact among the five of them not to sabotage each other’s emotional progress with Ava.

Seeing that Keith had calmed down, Ava breathed a sigh of relief. She was just glad they hadn’t come to blows. However, it suddenly hit her: with five men in the mix, could she really maintain this balance forever?

From across the room, Laurent beckoned her. “Ava, come here a second.”

Ava walked over to him. “What is it?”

Laurent reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face. “You’ve never given me a hug.”

#00

О

22