Divorced and Chased by My Alpha Billionaire Ex-Husband
Chapter 52: Hades’s Schemes

Chapter 52: Hades’s Schemes

Sophia’s heart slowed with relief.

Aurora didn’t know. She didn’t know about Hades’s schemes, the lies, the manipulation.

For a moment, it felt like a lifeline had been tossed to her.

But that relief was mixed with something else—a tug of disappointment.

Part of her wished Aurora did know, that she didn’t have to carry this alone.

She couldn’t let her mother be dragged into the mess. She had to protect her, even if that meant deceiving Aurora.

Sophia swallowed, her mind racing to keep up. She offered Aurora a small, shaky smile. "I didn’t mean to hide it from you... I’m sorry." She hesitated before adding, "It wasn’t deliberate. I just... didn’t know how to say it."

Aurora’s expression softened further, still holding Sophia’s phone but looking at her with concern. "Why, though? I thought we always shared things like this. You could’ve told me."

Sophia bit her lip. "I wanted to... but Hades, well, you know how complicated he can be. We’ve had our ups and downs, and I didn’t want to burden you with it, especially when I wasn’t sure where things stood."

She was playing along now, the words coming easier as she leaned into the half-truths. "I didn’t want to worry you until I was sure."

Aurora nodded slowly, still holding Sophia’s gaze. "But you’re sure now? You and Hades are together?"

Sophia’s stomach twisted, but she forced a smile. "Yes. We’re... still together." The lie felt heavier than before, but it was necessary. Aurora believed it, and she couldn’t shatter that belief right now.

"I’m sorry for keeping it from you," Sophia added, lowering her eyes. "I didn’t mean to make you feel left out. I was just... figuring things out myself."

Aurora reached out and gently touched her arm. "I understand. I just want you to know you don’t have to go through things alone, okay? I’m always here."

Sophia smiled, this time more genuinely, grateful for Aurora’s kindness, even if it was built on a fragile foundation.

"Thank you," she whispered.

---

Lucas woke to the sharp sound of metal clinking against metal.

His eyes fluttered open, and he raised his head, wincing from a dull ache in his skull.

His surroundings were dim, the room around him giving off an abandoned, forgotten feeling.

Dust clung to the cracked walls, and debris littered the ground.

He glanced down at himself and realized with a surge of frustration that he was tied tightly to a chair, ropes biting into his wrists and ankles.

Panic flickered through his mind, and then, in a rush, the events of the night before came back to him.

He remembered being in Aurora’s hospital ward, watching over her as she rested.

His hand had been gently holding hers when the buzzing of his phone broke the silence.

He had answered quickly, trying not to disturb her.

"Sir, I’m back from the hospital," Amos’s voice had come through the line.

"Thank goddess," Lucas had muttered, clearly relieved. Amos’s absence had left him buried under an overwhelming workload.

"I stopped by the office," Amos continued. "There are a few documents you need to sign. Once you’ve taken care of those, I can help with the backlog."

Lucas had sighed in relief. "I’ll be there."

Standing up quietly, he had looked at Aurora, noting how peaceful she seemed, her breaths steady and calm.

He had leaned down, placing a soft kiss on her hand before whispering, "I’ll be back soon."

With that, Lucas had left the ward, walking out of the hospital.

As he made his way down the dimly lit corridor, he felt a strange presence behind him, footsteps that seemed too close for comfort.

He had turned, but no one was there.

Shaking off the uneasy feeling, he had continued outside.

But just as he had stepped onto the street, something heavy struck him on the back of the head.

Pain shot through his skull, and he had collapsed to the ground.

Darkness quickly closed in on him, but not before he caught a glimpse of a familiar face—Hades.

Now, back in the present, Lucas’s jaw clenched as he shook off the memory.

The sharp clinking sound of metal continued, echoing through the empty room.

He looked around, scanning the shadows, trying to figure out where the sound was coming from.

Suddenly, the door creaked open.

Lucas’s eyes snapped to the doorway, and his heart lurched in his chest as Hades stepped in, shutting the door behind him with a casual click.

A slow smirk spread across his face as he sauntered closer.

"Hello, crybaby," Hades greeted, his voice dripping with mockery.

Lucas’s eyes blazed with fury, his body jerking instinctively as he strained against the ropes binding him to the chair.

The tightness of the cords bit into his skin, but all he could feel was the rising anger inside him.

So it was Hades who had kidnapped him!

Lucas gritted his teeth and struggled harder, trying to free himself.

Hades watched him, amusement flickering in his eyes as a dark chuckle escaped his lips.

"Well, look where you’ve found yourself, huh? All after marking Aurora," Hades taunted, leaning casually against the wall.

"I wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t kidnapped me," Lucas snapped, his voice sharp, frustration biting at every word. "What exactly do you want from me?"

Hades’s smirk widened. "I told you before. All I want is for you to back off—stay away from my Aurora."

"She’s not yours," Lucas growled, his voice deep with possessiveness. "She’s mine. She’s my mate!"

Hades chuckled, his laugh a low, dark sound that echoed in the room. As he moved, Lucas didn’t notice the glint of silver in Hades’s hand, hidden by the thick gloves he wore.

Lucas’s thoughts were consumed by one thing—ensuring that Hades understood Aurora would never belong to him. She was his, forever. His voice rang out, firm and sharp.

"I’ve marked her. There’s nothing you can do about it. We can’t even reject each other. You’ll never have her, Hades."

In a flash, Hades swung the silver rod he had picked up without Lucas realizing.

It struck Lucas squarely across the face with a brutal force.

The impact sent Lucas’s head snapping to the side, a sharp metallic taste filling his mouth as blood poured from his split lips and nose.

His vision blurred, everything going blank for a moment.

A flat ringing sound echoed in his head, disorienting him as he slumped forward, gasping.

Dizzy and barely able to focus, Lucas felt the world spinning around him, the pain radiating from his face like a searing heat.

Hades dropped the rod with a casual thud, rolling up his sleeves as he stepped closer. "You don’t deserve her, Lucas," he hissed. "You’re weak. You can’t even fight for yourself. How do you expect to fight someone like me? What hope do you have to protect Aurora?"

Through the haze of pain and dizziness, anger surged through Lucas once more.

His fists clenched tightly as the ropes dug into his skin, and with a burst of rage, he braced his body against the chair.

Without warning, the ropes around his arms tore apart like they were made of paper, snapping under his strength.

Hades’s eyes widened in shock, and for the first time, a flicker of fear crossed his face.

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