Page 151 of Code of Heart

It looked like holding her hand for no reason at all. Like scooping her into his arms after a nightmare and rocking her back to sleep. Like the quiet, stolen kisses—on her temple, her cheek, her lips—when he thought she wasn’t paying attention.

And what had she given him in return?

Her lips parted on a shaky breath. She had reminded him constantly that he was onprobation. That he had toearnher forgiveness. She wielded that hurt like a weapon, as if punishing him could somehow undo the pain he had caused her.

She was punishing both of them.

It had to stop.

They’d rushed into physical intimacy before their emotional foundation had a chance to form. That washermistake. And it was one she needed to own—tonight.

With renewed purpose, she pushed away from the boutique window and set off down the street, her mind clear for the first time in weeks.

She would fix this. Not with a grand gesture…but with honesty, vulnerability, and the truth.

Because if there was one thing she was certain of now…Levi was worth it.

CHAPTER 63

Aurelia

Aurelia sped through the streets of Joia City, mentally rehearsing what she would say to Levi the moment she walked through the door. She was done worrying, done waiting, and done with the distance Levi insisted on keeping between them.

She had never been shy about initiating physical contact before, mistaking it for genuine affection, so why should she hesitate now to initiate a conversation about what she wanted? About what she needed? About how much it hurt that he hadn’t even asked if she wanted her wedding ring back.

It was a regular conversation. How hard could it be?

She had rushed into asking for a divorce out of fear and self-preservation, regretting it ever since. But stubborn, aggravating Levi still slept upstairs like they were polite strangers instead of two people bound by marriage. A marriage neither of them had wanted to end…unless she had read him completely wrong.

No. She wasn’t going to overthink this. She wasn’t going to fall back to believing she wasn’t enough. She wasn’t that caged bird anymore. She was done with self-imposed confinement.

It was time to be fierce and fight for herself, for him, and their future together. Time to spread her wings andfly.

The moment she pulled into the driveway, she flew out of her car and through the front door, determined to demand the conversation they had both been avoiding.

But before she could even get a word out, Levi appeared in the hallway, relaxed and looking absolutely mouthwatering. His dark green eyes locked on hers with something unreadable burning behind them.

“You’re coming with me,” he said, taking her hand without hesitation.

“Levi, I—”

“No arguments, Aurelia.” His fingers tightened gently. “Come with me.”

Levi gently tugged her forward and led her right back out the door.

Aurelia’s hard-earned courage sputtered and died the moment Levi laced his fingers through hers and guided her into his SUV. The engine rumbled to life, and Levi drove in comfortable silence, his fingers drumming against the steering wheel in a slow, rhythmic beat that felt almost…nervous.

She studied his profile, trying to decipher whatever secret he was hiding, but he gave nothing away.

The silence stretched too long. Her resolve snapped back into place as she turned toward him, determined to say what needed to be said. If he thought he could avoid this conversation, he had no idea who he was dealing with.

“Levi, we need to talk,” she blurted, before he could deflect.

He cast her a sidelong glance, a small, knowing smile tugging at his lips. “I know. We will. Once we get there.”

She blinked.What?

“Listen, I—wait, what?”