جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 80

The next morning, Aidan cut their trip short and rushed their return to New York, even though they were supposed to stay for two more days. He barely spoke a word. He didn’t explain why they were leaving early, nor did he mention anything about ending their honeymoon ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, Malikha, who still struggled to move properly because of her injured foot, could only sit there and watch as Aidan silently packed their belongings without sparing her a glance.“We’re going home now?” Malikha asked softly from the edge of the bed.Aidan was organizing his suitcase while waiting for Theresia to return with new clothes for Malikha. Her luggage had been left somewhere in the middle of the pine forest during the chaos the night before.“Yes. Isn’t that what you wanted last night?” Aidan replied coldly, his tone edged with sarcasm.He didn’t even look at her.Malikha fell silent immediately, the

“I don’t mind at all. Perhaps I could ask Mr. Caesar for permission to bring Malikha along so she can stay involved in the discussion regarding this project. What do you think, Mr. Caesar?”Bruce decided to test his luck by asking Aidan directly for permission to invite Malikha to dinner. Aidan nearly lost control and punched Bruce in the face right then and there, if not for the reminder in his mind that he had to remain cold and composed.“Malikha never goes out at night alone unless she’s with me. I’m not sure I can allow it. Besides, I don’t think Malikha’s position is important enough for this project,” Aidan replied flatly, refusing to give his permission.Bruce merely nodded with a faint smile.“In that case, I’ll contact CEO Grant again regarding the dinner plans. And as for the approved design, I believe our designer will arrive at Estrela tomorrow.”CEO Grant nodded w

For as long as he could remember, the only sweet, love-filled kisses Aidan had ever given belonged to Malikha. No matter how often his lips claimed he hated the woman who had trapped him, the woman who had nearly cost him his life, the truth hidden deep inside his heart had never once changed.In fact, his desire to keep Malikha only grew stronger now. The moment another man appeared to have feelings for his wife, panic and jealousy consumed him completely. He was so unbearably jealous that every plan he once had to take revenge on Malikha slowly began to crumble apart.Aidan had never been a patient man in bed, but Malikha somehow made him surrender in ways no one else ever could. Around her, he lost all of his usual aggression and instead found himself craving every soft, lingering moment that demanded tenderness and time. His kisses traveled slowly from her neck to her collarbone while his hand tightened gently around her chest, and it was only then that Malikha fin

Malikha remained silent throughout the entire drive. Sixteen years had passed since everything that happened with Aidan back in high school, and not once during all those years had she ever returned to LA. Now that she was finally back, an uneasy nervousness kept twisting inside her chest. Her fingers continuously fidgeted against each other in her lap, squeezing and rubbing together as if she could somehow calm herself down through the motion alone. Aidan noticed it. He glanced at her more than once, catching the stiff tension in her posture and the anxiety written across her face, yet he chose not to say anything about it.When they arrived at the King family mansion, Caleb Konstantine was already waiting in front of the luxurious estate to welcome Aidan. The moment they saw each other, both men immediately pulled one another into a tight embrace after so many years apart.“Why do you rarely ever come to New York?” Aidan asked the moment they released each other.“Mars handles King

When they arrived in front of the tomb, Aidan still held Malikha’s hand tightly as he pulled her forward. The two of them now stood before the sealed stone door of the mausoleum. Malikha began crying harder, her breathing uneven and broken as she stared at Aidan with pure terror written across her face. The memory of being locked by him inside the wine cellar came rushing back without mercy. Since that day, darkness and enclosed spaces had become her greatest fears, and just remembering it now was enough to drain all color from her face.“Please... don’t put me in there. I’m really sorry,” Malikha pleaded through desperate sobs, crying even louder this time as she continued begging him. Aidan remained still, but the expression on his face slowly softened. He stepped closer to her, looking as though he wanted to let go of everything he had been carrying.“Can I trust you again? You betrayed me once... can I really trust you again?” Aidan asked quietly, his eyes filled with exhaustion a