Chapter 14
Kinsley checked her phone countless times today, but there was still no reply from Aaron.
She rushed home the moment class ended, only to find the house still empty.
He must be busy.
Was he busy dealing with this?
Or did he simply not care at all?
Though restlessness gnawed at her, she had no choice but to wait.
She didn’t want to call him.
Even though she was his legal wife, she didn’t truly feel like one.
Fortunately, the online frenzy surrounding the story began to fade; many of the posts had vanished.
Kinsley let out a breath of relief.
Perhaps he had intervened.
Was it because of that text she sent?
Even though the hateful posts were gone, a lingering ache remained in her heart.
If her classmates ever found out she was married to Aaron, would they mock her just the same?
She had never felt this flustered or helpless; she only wished for him to come home soon.
Night fell.
He still hadn’t arrived.
She didn’t have the heart for dinner; she just waited.
Deep into the night, as she lay in bed, she finally heard the faint hum of the elevator.
She bolted upright—he was home!
She clutched the blanket nervously.
But after waited for a long time, he still didn’t return to the bedroom.
Unease prickling her skin, Kinsley headed downstairs.
Aaron’s blazer was tossed carelessly over the sofa—he was back, all right.
But where was he?
She checked room after room, finally finding him in the wine cellar.
Aaron stood with his back to the door, a bottle of whiskey before him—it was impossible to tell how much he’d already finished.
He poured half a glass, tilted his head back, and downed it in one go.
Then, he poured another.
“Aaron? You’re back?”
She walked over and sat beside him.
Her heart twisted with a sharp ache.
His tie was loosened, hanging messily against his chest, and three shirt buttons were undone.
A lock of hair fell over his forehead, dulling the usual sharpness of his gaze.
When he saw her, his hand paused for a split second, but he still tipped the glass back to drain it.
Kinsley reached out and took the bottle away.
“You should drink slowly.”
He didn’t answer.
The air between them felt thick, heavy with something unresolved.
“Aaron, the negative posts online are gone. Thank you.”
“It was nothing.”
He looked over at her, but his eyes were vacant, as if he were looking right through her, fixated only on that bottle.
Kinsley moved the bottle further away.
“You’ve had enough. Let’s go back to the room and rest.”
He stared at her for several long seconds, his voice dropping into a ragged rasp.
“Let me drink, please?”
Kinsley’s heart squeezed even tighter.
“What happened? Talk to me.
“Maybe it’ll make you feel a little lighter.”
He gave a bitter, mirthless laugh and shook his head.
“You shouldn’t know.
“Knowing too much...
“It only leads to pain.”
This was a side of him she had never seen before:
Broken, yet stubbornly defiant.
She reached for another glass and poured them both a drink.
“I’ll drink with you. And if you’re willing, you can tell me what’s wrong.”
Aaron took the glass, his eyes flickering with a momentary brightness before they dimmed again.
“You don’t need to get dragged into my family’s mess.”
“Is it about... that situation?”
He remained silent.
“I’m here with you.”
She tapped her glass against his, downed her drink, and gave him a soft, sweet smile.
Aaron held his glass, staring at her, momentarily dazed.
He finished his drink in one go, then offered a stiff, awkward smile.
They continued to drink in silence.
Though not a word was exchanged, Kinsley felt closer to him than she ever had before.
Even their heartbeats seemed to synchronize.
After a while, Aaron set his glass down.
His gaze driftedinto the distance, losing its focus..
“Do you think,” he said, “that my life is something to be envied?”
Without a second thought, Kinsley replied, “Yes.”
He offered a bitter smile and went back to his drink.
“Sorry. I shouldn’t burden you with my negativity.
“If there’s any more hate online, tell me immediately.
“I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
His voice was a whisper, heavy with exhaustion yet resolute.
Kinsley felt tears welling up and blinked them back rapidly.
The man before her had finally revealed his true self.
Without his armor, he was vulnerable; he was capable of being hurt.
She could stay out of it, let him shoulder the burden alone, and still collect her paycheck.
But in that moment, she desperately wanted to embrace the weary man who was still trying to shield her.
She knew that if she took this step, she would be setting herself up for a painful departure when those six months ended.
But for once, she wanted to follow her heart.
She slid off the bar stool.
“You can treat me like a hollow tree. Speak your secrets into me, and they’ll be gone. I’ll keep them safe.”
He shook his head with a sad smile.
“I can’t. It wouldn’t be fair to you.”
“It’s okay. I don’t care.”
Kinsley wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned into his chest.
Aaron’s spine went rigid; it took several seconds before he dared to hold her, his voice a barely audible tremor.
“But I care.”
Their eyes locked, and their breathing grew uneven.
His voice was ragged.
“Kinsley, do you have any idea what this means?”
She smiled.
“Aaron, I’m not drunk.”
She hooked her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his.
“No, Kinsley...” he gasped, his body leaning back, trembling.
Her fingers traced his jawline, sliding down to his open shirt.
“Aaron, if you’re drunk, or if you don’t want this... just tell me.”
His gaze ignited.
He pulled her tight and crushed his lips against hers.
“I’m not drunk.”
His kiss was fervent, bordering on unhinged; his body shivered with the intensity of his need.
Kinsley found herself breathless, swept away by the storm of him.
She loved his madness, but she loved his authenticity even more.
She realized then that the feelings she had been desperately suppressing could no longer be contained.
Under the amber glow of the wine cellar lights, the very air grew heavy and thick.
The room began to echo with the sound of their ragged, desperate breaths.