Chapter 5

5

“Just tell me what to do to change your mind. I’ll do anything to make it right. Please… don’t leave me. Don’t break us apart.”

“Would you stop interrupting me when I speak?” Kayden growled.

Aria flinched at the harshness in his voice, a tone she had never heard from her husband before. It cut deep, but she refused to back down.

This was Jayden—her Jayden. Whatever storm had overtaken him, she would weather it. She had to.

Driven by pure desperation and love, she tightened her arms around him, pressing her body flush against his.

She stared up at him with wide, shimmering eyes, then slowly, sensually licked her lips the way she had once read about in those late-night articles meant to “rekindle the spark".

Kayden’s breath hitched. Her soft curves moulded against his chest, and her scent—sweet lavender warmed by sunlit skin—wrapped around him like a drug.

Kayden felt her soft moulds pressed against him, and an intoxicating sweetness of her feminine scent filled his nostrils and enveloped him, igniting memories that sent his heart racing and his throat feeling dry, causing all the blood in his veins to rush in a certain direction.

He could feel that part of his body come alive.

He thought he hated her; he thought he didn't even want to breathe in the same air as her after what she did to him years ago… destroying the future he had foolishly imagined when she chose his twin.

But why was he responding to her touches and obvious provocation? Blood rushed hot through his veins, his body betraying him even as hatred burned in his chest.

Why her? Why now?

“Get out,” he snarled, the words laced with finality.

“Please don’t reject me,” Aria whispered, her voice cracking as fresh tears welled up. “I can’t take it, hubby. Make love to me as you used to… or any way you want. I’m yours. Just don’t kick me out of this room.”

Something inside Kayden shifted.

A chilling aura radiated from him. His gaze turned predatory, dark and dangerous, like a panther stalking wounded prey.

Jealousy and possessiveness roared through him.

‘She was supposed to be mine. Mine alone. Not Jayden’s. Not anyone’s,’ he inwardly roared the words to himself.

And yet here she was, offering herself so shamelessly to him—thinking he was his brother.

The more Kayden's mind drifted to the past, the more anger he felt; in the next second, something snapped within him.

He began to crave something he thought he had long forgotten.

He began to crave all those things he had once yearned for but had decided to lock away in that deep, dark part of his heart.

He was tired of being the cursed one, the one who was left behind, the substitute…the replacement.

He wanted to be the main character now; he didn't want to keep living in the shadows any longer.

But most importantly, he wanted her; he wanted her to beg and scream as she writhed under him.

He wanted it all.

“Fine,” he said, the single word cold as steel.

Relief washed over Aria’s face like a drowning woman breaking the surface. “Thank you, babe,” she breathed. She rose on her tiptoes to kiss him, but the deathly glare he gave her stopped her cold. Heart pounding, she redirected at the last second, pressing a weak, trembling kiss to his chin instead.

“You will obey me,” Kayden commanded, his voice low and authoritative. “You do nothing without my permission. Understand?”

Aria nodded quickly, swallowing hard. “I understand.”

She told herself this was just Jayden in pain—maybe stressed, maybe manipulated by his family. One night of passion and he would come back to her. He always did.

“Don’t you dare regret this later,” Kayden warned, his expression emotionless. Then, without warmth, he issued the order: "Strip".

The word hit Aria like thunder. She stiffened, a flicker of unease twisting in her stomach.

His voice sounded… different. Colder. But she pushed the doubt away.

‘Something is wrong with him tonight. Just please him. Tomorrow, when he’s calm, you can talk about the papers.’

“Yes,” she whispered to herself. “Just surrender tonight.”

When she moved too slowly, Kayden sneered. “Don’t you understand simple English? Get out if you don’t want to. Don’t waste my time.”

“No—wait… I want to,” she said hurriedly.

Her fingers fumbled behind her back, finding the zipper. The sound of it descending echoed loudly in the silent suite.

She pushed the white dress off her shoulders, letting it pool at her feet. Black lace underwear remained. With shaky hands, she reached back again, unclasped her bra, and let it fall.

Her full, perky breasts spilt free, pink nipples tightening in the cool air.

Heat flooded her cheeks. She had never felt this exposed with him before. Usually, it was under soft sheets, lights dimmed, his gentle encouragement guiding her. Tonight felt raw. Dangerous.

Still, she hooked her thumbs into her panties and slid them down her legs, stepping out until she stood completely bare before him.

Her hands fluttered uselessly at her sides. She shifted her weight, toes curling against the carpet, posture slightly slanted in instinctive shyness.

Kayden drank in the sight—her narrow waist, wide hips, smooth skin, and the gentle curve of her breasts. She was breathtaking. He forced his expression to remain cold, swallowing the unwanted surge of desire. ‘She’s pretending. All of this is for Jayden.’

He stepped closer. “Kneel.”

Aria lowered herself to her knees without protest, heart racing. His polished shoes and tailored pants filled her vision.

“Unbuckle my belt,” he ordered, voice rough. “And show me how good that mouth is.”