Revenge amnesia upgraded to his brother (Norah and Lucien) novel Chapter 163

Chapter 163

Norah’s Pov

The car moved smoothly through the quiet morning streets of Paris.

I curled up in the backseat, pressed against Lucien.

His familiar scent wrapped around me, bringing a strange sense of calm.

Finished

He told his assistant to turn up the heater. Then he reached over and covered my ice–cold left hand with his

own.

The warmth from his palm slowly eased the violent trembling that still shook my body.

I turned to look out the window. The street scenes flashed by as the sky lightened. The early sun cast a soft golden glow over the city.

A bakery worker was yawning as he opened the store’s shutters. A milkman pedaled leisurely by on his bicycle.

“Where are we going?” I finally asked, my voice a little steadier now.

“Home.”

Home?

I didn’t ask more.

The car eventually entered my familiar neighborhood and stopped outside my old apartment building.

This was where our love had begun.

Lucien got out, came around, and opened my door.

In the elevator, the only sound was our breathing.

He stood behind me, his warm chest pressed against my back. He wrapped his arms around me gently, his chin resting in the curve of my shoulder. His breath brushed my neck, sending a shiver of sensation through me.

“Remember?” he said, his voice tinged with nostalgic amusement. “The first time I brought you here, you were so nervous you forgot to breathe.”

My face burned instantly. “I… I didn’t…”

“You did.” The corners of his lips turned up slightly. “You liked my scent.”

He whispered close to my ear, “Your body is far more honest than your memory, Norah.”

He was reenacting that first time.

I didn’t push him away.

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Chapter 163

Finished

Ding-

The elevator doors opened.

He took my hand and led me to the familiar door.

“Open it,” he said.

I hesitated.

I was afraid of what I might find inside–traces of another woman.

He seemed to see through my hesitation. He took my hand and pressed my thumb against the fingerprint lock.

Beep-

The door unlocked.

My print was still registered.

I took a deep breath and stepped inside.

No dust. No mess. No trace of Amélie’s perfume.

Everything was exactly as I’d left it three years ago.

In the entryway, my usual slippers were waiting.

On the living room sofa, the cushion I used to hug during movies was in its place.

On the kitchen counter, my favorite mug stood quietly on the rack.

Sunlight poured through the huge floor–to–ceiling window, casting warm pools of light on the polished floors. The air carried only Lucien’s faint cedar wood scent.

This didn’t look like an abandoned empty apartment. It looked like a home waiting for its mistress to

return.

Almost without thinking, I walked toward the bedroom.

I pushed the door open. The large bed where we’d shared so many intimate moments was still made with my favorite gray linens.

I opened the walk–in closet.

One side was filled with Lucien’s suits and shirts. The other side was packed with dresses and outfits in my

size.

A bittersweet warmth rose uncontrollably from deep in my heart.

He really had been waiting for me to come back.

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Chapter 163

I moved to the design desk by the window–my old favorite spot.

On it, my half–finished sketches from three years ago were still spread out.

Finished

I reached out, my fingertips lightly tracing the paper. Memories I’d tried to bury–of dreams, of love–came rushing back.

It was here I’d sketched Lolita, here I’d drawn Phoenix Rising from the Ashes.

It was also here I’d given him my first time.

The sound of running water came from the bathroom. Soon, Lucien walked out holding a clean bathrobe.

“Go take a bath. Wash off all the scents you don’t like,” he said, handing it to me.

After my bath, I opened the bedside drawer looking for a hair tie.

Inside lay a familiar black velvet box.

I froze.

I recognized it–I’d picked it out myself when preparing Lucien’s birthday gift years ago.

My hands shook as I lifted the box and opened it.

Inside were a pair of elegant platinum cufflinks.

They were shaped like a small bird tangled in thorns. The bird’s eyes were set with two black diamonds.

I’d designed them myself. I’d named them Eternal Thornbird.

“This… this is…”

“The birthday gift you prepared for me. Right?” Lucien’s voice came from behind me, low and rough.

“I thought… I thought it was lost in the fire…” I said, trembling.

“I saved it.”

I spun around, looking at him through tear–blurred eyes.

“You tried to run into the fire that day. I knew what you were looking for,” he said, stepping closer and kneeling in front of me, his gaze full of endless pain and regret. “Your sketches, your hard work… and this. Norah, how could I let any part of you burn?”

“Lucien…” I couldn’t hold back anymore. Clutching the box, I broke down again.

He didn’t speak. Just stood and pulled me tightly into his arms, letting my tears soak his shirt.

His broad, warm hand stroked my back again and again.

“Cry. Let it all out…” His chin rested on the top of my head, his voice gravelly. “I’m sorry, Norah. From now on, ‘I’ll never make you shed another tear.”

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Chapter 163

I don’t know how long I cried.

When I finally had no strength left, I slumped against him, still letting out soft whimpers.

Finished

He cupped my face and gently kissed the tear tracks–from my forehead, to the corners of my eyes, down to the tip of my nose.

Then he laid me on the bed and tucked the covers around me.

“Sleep a little longer,” he whispered, bending to kiss my forehead.

As he turned to leave, I reached out and caught his hand.

Without a word, he lay down beside me and pulled me into his embrace.

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