The moment the suite door opened, Nina Walsh was pinned against the wall by the man.
Tears streamed down her face, but as she looked at Aiden Sinclair's noble, cold features now flushed with a desire she had caused, a spark of pride ignited within her.
'What's two years of a hidden marriage, when I get to sleep with the man at the very pinnacle of Crestfall society?'
An unknown amount of time passed. Nina curled up under the covers, her body aching as if it had been taken apart. From outside the blanket, she heard Aiden Sinclair's cold voice.
"Have they caught the person who drugged me?"
"I don't want to hear it. Just cripple her hands."
Soon, the sound of running water came from the bathroom. When Aiden Sinclair emerged from his shower, he put on a crisp, handmade suit. The very picture of a reserved, elite professional, he was like a completely different person from the frenzied man of minutes ago.
"I have things to do at the office. Take a taxi back yourself." His tone was flat, devoid of any emotion.
"Aiden, tomorrow is our second anniversary..."
Before Nina could finish, the sound of the door closing cut her off.
After leaving the hotel, she thought about it over and over and decided to get checked out. She found a nearby hospital.
"You're pregnant. It's been over a month. Go home and tell your husband."
'Pregnant?'
She couldn't believe it. She was actually pregnant.
'Besides Aiden Sinclair, I'm finally going to have another family member.'
'Tomorrow is our second wedding anniversary. What could be a better gift than this?'
...
In the early hours of the morning, the sound of a car engine broke the silence outside.
Nina, who had fallen asleep at the dining table, startled awake. Slippers in hand, she ran to the door to greet him.
The door opened to reveal a drunken Aiden Sinclair being helped inside by a beautiful woman.
Her face looked familiar. Nina remembered seeing her on TV—she was Clara Jacobs, a popular actress.
Clara Jacobs's eyes swept over Nina's apron and slippers, then glanced at the food on the dining table before she ordered, "Maid, go make a bowl of hangover soup."
Used to this, Nina said, "Let me help Mr. Sinclair."
"No need. I'm his girlfriend. I'll take him up to rest."
Nina reached out to take him, but Clara pushed her aside and, with practiced ease, helped Aiden up to the second floor.
Ten minutes later, Nina pushed open the bedroom door carrying the hangover soup. Aiden was holding the woman, murmuring the word "Wife."
Nina stood frozen in the doorway, her gaze wooden as she watched Aiden nuzzle his head into Clara's chest, a clingy term of endearment spilling from his lips.
In two years of marriage, he had never once called her "wife," not even in private.
Nina stole another glance at Clara Jacobs. 'Who is she?'
"Put the soup down. You can clock out now."
Clara ordered again. Nina glanced at Aiden, set down the bowl, and turned to walk out into the hallway.
"Aiden, stop getting handsy. Drink the soup first."
The door wasn't closed, and the woman's intimate voice drifted out, completely undisguised.
The sound grated on Nina's ears. As she came downstairs, her mind was filled with the image of Aiden holding Clara and calling her "wife."
She stumbled out of the villa, utterly dejected. Her mind was a tangled mess as she wandered the streets for hours. Only when the sun began to rise did she turn and run back.
'They were married. She had to trust him. He always had a sense of restraint; even when drugged, he had only sought her out for release.'
The villa was quiet when Nina ran back inside; there was no trace of the other woman. Relief washed over her, and she ran lightly up the stairs to the second-floor bedroom.
On their king-sized bed, Aiden's sleeping face was serene. In his slumber, he lacked the aloof coldness that usually kept everyone at a distance. His strong nose, the curve of his thin lips, and his perfect jawline created a flawless profile.
'No matter when she looked at him, his face seemed to convey a single message: he could do whatever he wanted. So handsome, with such a good body...'
'He actually brought another woman home last night!' Rage flared in Nina's heart, and a reckless audacity took over. She raised her hand and slapped Aiden across the face with a loud CRACK.
Aiden Sinclair's eyes snapped open, his deep gaze fixed on Nina, filled with impatience and irritation.
A sudden fear gripped Nina, and she quickly hid her hand behind her back.
"Aiden, you're awake?" The sound of the slap had startled the person in the bathroom.
From behind the half-open bathroom door, Clara Jacobs appeared, her bare legs on display, wearing nothing but one of Aiden's white dress shirts. She was the epitome of sexiness.
Nina froze. 'Clara is still here?'
True to her status as a star accustomed to the spotlight, Clara showed no embarrassment at being seen. Instead, she said calmly, "Ma'am, could you trouble yourself to find some clothes for me?"
Only then did Nina notice the shreds of fabric scattered on the floor by the head of the bed. It was Clara's dress from yesterday.
'Just how rough had they been last night?' An image of Aiden and Clara, skin on skin, flashed in Nina's mind, and a wave of nausea churned in her stomach.
"Go get her some clothes," Aiden commanded as he sat up in bed.
Nina looked at him, bewildered, and met his unwavering gaze.
After a few seconds, Nina relented. She walked into the closet, found a new set of clothes, and brought them to the bathroom.
Aiden was already up and getting dressed in the walk-in closet. Nina felt a boulder pressing down on her heart; every second she remained there was agony.
She tried to go downstairs, but Aiden stopped her.
"Tie my tie."
Nina pretended not to hear, keeping her back to him as she continued to walk away.
"Don't make me repeat myself," Aiden's impatient voice rang out.
'Every time she angered him, he would find new ways to torment her in bed, leaving her with a suffering she couldn't speak of.'
Nina gave in once again. She turned and walked back to him. The man's tall frame loomed over her like a mountain, radiating an oppressive aura.
She reached for his tie and skillfully knotted it, holding her breath the entire time. She was afraid that if she exhaled, her tears would come pouring out too.
Aiden looked down at her. Her face was a mask of suppressed pain and confusion, her expression utterly wronged.
He gently brushed his knuckles against her cheek, a playful look in his eyes. "Jealous? Hmm?"
His voice was husky, like a shot of pure, potent hormones.
"No," Nina denied, turning her head away.
"Good. Don't forget our agreement. The one who gets jealous, loses."
Aiden smiled and leaned down to kiss the corner of her lips.
It was an intimate gesture, yet to Nina, the kiss felt like a shard of ice, so cold it made her heart tremble.
The bathroom door opened, and Aiden released Nina and walked out.
Clara's saccharine voice immediately followed. "Aiden, I'm craving breakfast from Seasons. Will you take me? Please?"
Aiden's magnetic voice replied instantly, "Alright. Let's go together."
Nina stood on the balcony, watching as Aiden drove away with Clara.
The villa's main gate swung shut. Nina sank weakly to the floor, covering her small face with her hands as tears streamed through her fingers.
'There was only one day left. How could he challenge her like this, even at the very end!'