Chapter 5

“What are you doing here?” Ella whispered sharply as she stared at the callboy. “And why are you even putting on a mask?”

The ballroom lights shimmered against the black mask covering half of his face. Around them, the music had faded into nervous murmurs as guests watched the strange scene unfold.

A dangerous smile curved against his lips.

“I saw the way they were treating you,” he said calmly. “And I didn’t like it.”

Ella’s heartbeat skipped.

There was something terrifying about how calm he sounded. Kingsley, on the other hand, looked furious.

“You!” Kingsley snapped. “Who do you think you are to interfere between me and my wife?”

Aiden tilted his head slightly.

“Your wife?” he repeated with amusement.

“Funny. You don’t treat her like one.”

Kingsley’s jaw tightened.

Before he could speak again, Kourtney crossed her arms dramatically.

“Oh please,” she scoffed. “Ella really brought her little toyboy here to cause a scene.”

Ella clenched her fists in humiliation.

Aiden noticed immediately.

His gaze darkened beneath the mask.

“You should be careful with your words,” he warned quietly.

Kourtney rolled her eyes. “Or what?”

The temperature around them suddenly seemed colder.

For one dangerous second, Ella thought Aiden might actually lose control.

Instead, he calmly reached for Ella’s hand.

“Come with me.”

Ella blinked in surprise.

“What?”

“You don’t belong here.”

Kingsley stepped forward immediately. “She’s not going anywhere with you.”

Aiden finally looked directly at him.

“And you can stop me?”

The challenge in his voice silenced the room.

Kingsley’s face darkened with anger, but before he could react, Ella suddenly pulled her hand free and sighed heavily.

“Enough,” she said quietly.

Everyone looked at her.

Ella forced a smile.

“I’m tired.”

Then she turned toward Aiden.

“I have a big treat for you.”

Aiden raised an eyebrow behind the mask.

“A treat?”

“Yes,” Ella said firmly, though sadness lingered in her eyes. “Come with me.”

Without waiting for anyone’s permission, she walked away from the ballroom.

Aiden followed behind her.

Kingsley stared after them with blazing eyes.

Something about that masked man bothered him deeply.

Not just because he defended Ella.

But because the man carried himself like someone powerful.

Someone dangerous.

And for the first time in years, Kingsley felt threatened.

Outside the hotel, the cool night breeze brushed against Ella’s face.

She finally exhaled deeply.

“Thank you,” she muttered.

Aiden slipped his hands into his pockets. “For what?”

“For helping me back there.”

“You looked like you needed help.”

Ella laughed bitterly. “I always need help in that family.”

For a moment, silence settled between them.

Then Ella suddenly smiled mischievously.

“But enough about that. Tonight, I’m treating you.”

Aiden chuckled softly.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at a restaurant near the city center.

It was simple, warm, and crowded with late-night customers.

Aiden looked around with amusement.

The waitress approached them with a smile.

Ella quickly ordered, “Two crispy chicken burgers and two smoothies.”

The waitress nodded and left.

Aiden leaned back in his chair.

The waitress returned with the burgers and smoothies.

Ella noticed the teasing smile on his face.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“No, say it.”

“Is this the big treat you’re talking about?”

Ella crossed her arms dramatically. “Isn’t this big?”

Aiden laughed softly.

“Yes,” he said. “It’s huge.”

Ella narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“You’re mocking me.”

“Maybe a little.”

She shook her head while trying not to smile.

For the first time in a long while, she felt relaxed.

No pressure.

No humiliation.

No pretending.

Just peace.

Aiden quietly watched her across the table.

The more he looked at her, the harder it became to look away.

Ella was beautiful even without trying.

But what fascinated him most was the sadness she kept hiding behind her smiles.

Aiden subtly made a signal toward a waiter standing near the counter.

The waiter immediately recognized him despite the mask.

His eyes widened.

Within minutes, several staff members rushed toward their table carrying luxurious dishes.

Expensive seafood.

Premium steak.

Golden desserts.

And finally,

A bottle of wine worth two thousand dollars.

Ella nearly choked on her smoothie.

“What is all this?!”

The waiter bowed politely.

“Complimentary treats for our honored guests.”

Ella looked horrified.

“There must be a mistake.”

“No mistake, ma’am.”

The waiter carefully opened the expensive wine.

Ella stared at Aiden suspiciously.

“You did this?”

Aiden innocently sipped his smoothie. “Did what?”

“Don’t act innocent.”

“I’m just handsome.”

Ella burst into laughter.

“You’re unbelievable.”

Aiden leaned slightly closer.

“But you’re smiling now.”

Her laughter faded slowly.

Their eyes met.

Back at the ballroom, Kingsley had completely lost his patience.

He searched everywhere for Ella.

Parking lot.

Lobby.

Garden.

Everywhere.

His anger grew stronger with every passing minute.

“She really left?” he muttered darkly.

Kourtney folded her arms.

“Why are you even stressed? Isn’t that what you wanted? She embarrasses you anyway.”

Kingsley ignored her.

Something felt wrong.

Very wrong.

Then suddenly,

Through the glass windows across the street, he caught a glimpse of Ella inside a restaurant.

His eyes narrowed immediately.

“What is she doing there?”

Kingsley’s expression darkened instantly.

“Maybe she came here with one of her boyfriends,” he muttered bitterly.

Jealousy burned violently inside him.

Even though he openly cheated on Ella, the thought of another man touching her made him furious.

Kingsley crossed the road immediately.

Back inside the restaurant, Ella suddenly paused while eating.

Her stomach twisted uncomfortably.

A wave of nausea hit her hard.

She quickly covered her mouth.

Aiden frowned immediately.

“What’s wrong?”

Ella stood up suddenly.

“Excuse me… I need to use the toilet.”

She grabbed her bag quickly and hurried away.

Aiden watched her carefully.

Something about her expression worried him.

Inside the restroom, Ella locked herself inside a stall and leaned against the wall heavily.

Her breathing became uneven.

Her hands trembled as she slowly reached into her bag.

Then she pulled out a pregnancy test kit.

She stared at it silently.

Her mind flashed back to that night.

She quickly took the test.

Then waited anxiously.

Seconds felt like hours.

Finally,

Two lines appeared.

Positive.

Ella froze completely.

Her eyes widened in shock.

Then slowly,

A smile spread across her face.

She touched her stomach unconsciously.

“I’m pregnant…” she whispered emotionally.

Tears filled her eyes immediately.

Ella laughed softly through her tears.

She felt relieved.

Excited.

Happy.

All at once.

Outside the restroom, Aiden checked the time again.

“What’s taking her so long?” he muttered.

Something felt off.

He finally stood up.

“Let me go check on her.”

At the same moment, Kingsley entered the restaurant.

His sharp eyes immediately landed on the luxurious table.

Expensive dishes.

Premium desserts.

And the wine.

His expression changed instantly.

“What the hell…”

He picked up the wine bottle carefully.

“This wine costs two thousand dollars,” he whispered in disbelief.

Then anger replaced the shock.

“Is she insane? Where did she get money for this?”

His gaze darkened.

Aiden stopped outside the ladies’ restroom.

“Ella?” he called softly.

A few seconds later, the door opened slightly.

Ella stepped out.

“Are you fine?” he asked carefully.

Ella quickly nodded.

“Yes. Thank you.”

She forced a smile.

“I’m okay.”