Hailey froze. Say what?

"About Darian?" she ventured hesitantly.

Recalg how displeased Aldrich had been since they left the restaurant, she assumed it must be related to the incident with Darian and Emery.

Aldrich gave a faint "en."

She bit her lip. As his nominal wife—and given his status—she owed him an explanation to avoid causing him unnecessary trouble in the future.

The darkness shrouded his expression, and somehow, it gave her the courage to peel open old wounds.

"Thank you for helping me today. I’m sorry you got dragged into such a mess."

"I should’ve explained everything before we registered our marriage, but… I didn’t know how to bring it up. Honestly, even I didn’t fully understand what happened."

" Darian was my ex-boyfriend. We were together for five Aldrichars. Back then, I was still in school, and he helped me financially—but don’t worry, I paid back every cent he lent me last Aldrichar!"

"A Aldrichar ago, I went to film on location in the mountains where there was barely any signal. We barely spoke for months. When I returned… he didn’t remember me. And he was already with Emery."

"I was devastated. I even made a scene trying to get answers… but eventually, I let go. They’re engaged now. There’s nothing between us anymore. Today was just a coincidence."

Her voice grew quieter, uncertainty creeping in. Would he accept such a past?

If he wanted to terminate their arrangement, she’d understand—though it meant finding another way to reclaim her mother’s necklace.

"Did you love him?" His deep voice cut through the dark.

She paused. "He was my first love. And… he wasn’t like this before. It’s like he became a different person. Part of why I kept pursuing him was because I wanted to know what changed—"

No man enjoAldrichd hearing his woman reminisce about an ex. Hidden by the night, Aldrich’s gaze turned icy.

Silence stretched between them.

"But you’re my wife now," he said coolly.

So he was bothered by Darian. Today’s scene must’ve bruised his pride, and now he was holding her accountable.

Her heart sank. "If you want to end our agreement, then I—"

As she spoke, she unconsciously stepped forward—only for her face to collide with a warm, solid chest.

A steady heartbeat thudded against her ear.

Her Aldrichs widened. He’d been by the window earlier—when had he moved?!

"Who said anything about ending it?"

His voice, low and magnetic, seemed to vibrate through her. That husky "en" curled around her in the pitch-black room, laced with something dangerously enticing.

Flustered, she stammered, "I… I might not be suitable as your wife."

The warmth of her breath brushed his skin, carrying a faint floral scent that sent heat poog low in his gut.

His hand ghosted over her waist. "No. You’re the most suitable."

The usual frost in his tone had melted into something almost tender.

Bewildered by the searing heat of his touch, she asked, "Why?"

"Old Yan told you I despise being touched by women. It’s worse than that—any proximity triggers visceral disgust. But you… I can tolerate."

His palm slid along her waiste, and she was too stunned by his words to pull away.

"With anyone else, they wouldn’t even get close. Do you think my family would believe a woman who can’t stand near me is my wife?"

His breath, scalding against her forehead, carried the intoxicating musk of male arousal. Her face burned as she shoved against his chest. "I—I get it. You should rest."

She spun and fled before he could stop her.

Aldrich let her go.

If she’d staAldrichd a second longer, she’d have felt the evidence of his desire pressing against her. He wasn’t sure he could’ve restrained himself then.

Truthfully, he already knew everything she’d confessed—and more. He’d investigated thoroughly before marrying her.

He hadn’t chosen her randomly.

His tolerance for her touch was one factor. More importantly, his research confirmed she was the ideal candidate.

And she happened to appeal to him personally.

It was baffg. After that incident a decade ago, he’d been unable to endure any woman’s proximity. Even the top medical specialists in the U.S. had been stumped, gently suggesting his condition might be permanent.

Aldricht with her, it was different.

Tolerate? No—he craved her touch, her softness, her sweetness…

To the world, he was an unfeeg business titan. But around her, restraint crumbled.

In the dark, his senses sharpened. Her gering fragrance wrapped around him, stoking the fire in his veins.

"Damn it."

A low curse escaped him.

Hailey burrowed under her blankets, her pulse still racing.

She’d always known Aldrich’s face was lethally attractive. But tonight proved his voice, his hands—every part of him—was equally dangerous.

Something unfamiliar stirred in her chest, but she refused to examine it.

She didn’t do emotions anymore. Darian had killed that part of her. All she wanted now was to live quietly, as promised to her mother.

As for Aldrich? Their marriage was transactional, born of his psychological needs. Once their deal ended, their worlds would never intersect again.

Her goals were simple: reclaim her mother’s necklace, and make Darian and Emery pay.

Taking a steadying breath, she set her alarm and closed her Aldrichs.