Chapter 018
“You bitch!” Jennifer hissed, glaring at Alina with pure hate before turning her eyes to Aiden.
“Aiden… it’s not what it looks like. She’s faking it,” she said, stepping toward him.
But Jesse’s cold glare stopped her in her tracks. She froze, understanding his silent warning.
Aiden didn’t hesitate. He quickly walked over to Alina, his face unreadable as he saw the blood running down her face. Without saying a word, he gently lifted her into his arms, holding her as though she might shatter.
He turned toward the door, but just as he reached it, he stopped. His jaw tightened.
“You’re her family,” he said coldly, still staring ahead, “so I’ll let this go. This once.”
His gaze shifted down to Alina in his arms. “But if any of you ever touch her again… I won’t be so forgiving.”
“Aiden-” Jennifer tried again, stepping forward to hold him.
Jesse stepped between them, his arm firm as he pushed her back, not harshly, but with enough force to make it clear she wasn’t
welcome.
Aiden didn’t look at her. He kept his eyes on the fragile girl in his arms as he spoke.
No woman touches me…” he said quietly, “except her.”
Then he lowered his voice, almost tenderly, “Because she’s my woman.”
And with that, he walked out, carrying Alina close to his chest with Jesse following closely behind.
As soon as they were out of sight, Jennifer let out a loud scream. Her voice echoed down the hallway as she stomped her foot hard against the floor.
“This isn’t fair!” she yelled, her chest rising and falling. “Mom, are you seriously just going to stand there and watch them leave?”
Her mother stayed quiet for a second, her expression unreadable. Then she stepped forward, pulled Jennifer into her arms, and gently stroked her hair.
“Shh… Don’t worry, baby” she whispered, voice calm. ” Things would go your way,. I’ll make sure you’re the one walking down the aisle with Aiden, not her. I promise,”
Jennifer’s jaw clenched as she closed her eyes, burying her frustration in her mother’s embrace.
Instead of taking Alina back to her friend’s place, Aiden quietly instructed the driver to head for the Blackwood estate.
When they arrived, Aiden saw that his entire family was outside, waiting anxiously. As soon as Alina saw them, she quickly shut her eyes and pretended to be asleep.
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Chapter 018
Grandma Linda was the first to rush over. When she saw the blood on Alina’s clothes, her eyes went wide with shock.
“Who did this to her?” she asked angrily.
+25 BONUS
Mandy immediately pulled out her phone and called the family doctor without a word.
Aiden carried Alina straight to his room, with the family following close behind. He gently laid her on the bed. As he reached for her top to change her out of the bloody clothes, Alina’s body tensed up.
He noticed right away.
Awkwardly clearing his throat, he stepped back, scratching the back of his neck. “Mandy,” he said, glancing over, “can you help
her change?”
Grandma Linda arched a brow. “Why? Isn’t she your fiancée? Don’t tell me you two haven’t-”
“Mom,” Jessica cut in, shaking her head, “don’t rush them.”
Alina shifted uncomfortably, her cheeks heating at the awkward conversation.
“I’ll help,” Mandy said quickly, noticing Alina’s discomfort.
“Give us a moment,” she added, glancing at Aiden.
He nodded. “We’ll wait outside.”
One by one, the family left the room. Aiden was the last to go, giving Alina a long look before quietly closing the door.
“You can open your eyes now,” Mandy said gently.
Alina slowly opened her eyes.
“What happened to you? Are you in a lot of pain?” Mandy asked, concerned.
“I…” Alina started, but Mandy shook her head.
“It’s okay. We’ll talk about it later. Let’s get you changed first.”
With care, she helped Alina sit up and remove her bloodstained top. Then she walked over to Aiden’s wardrobe, pulled out one of
his crisp shirts, and brought it over.
“Here,” she said softly.
Alina slipped it on without a word. The oversized shirt fell past her thighs, smelling faintly of Aiden’s cologne.
Just as she settled back against the pillows, the door opened again. The doctor entered quietly, carrying a leather bag. He assessed
her injuries, cleaned and dressed the wounds with gentle hands, and handed her a small dose of medication.
“These will help you rest,” he said, his tone kind and professional.
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“Nothing serious?” Mandy asked, hovering nearby.
“Not at all,” the doctor reassured her. “She just needs rest and hydration. She’ll be fine.”
Alina gave a small nod, her breathing already slowing as the medication began to take effect.
“I’ll see the doctor out,” Mandy said, brushing a strand of hair from Alina’s face.
Alina blinked drowsily and gave a faint nod in return.
Alina was still asleep when Aiden stepped into the shower. The warm water ran down his skin, but his mind was far from relaxed. Alina’s face appeared in his thoughts-soft, quiet, and unexpectedly comforting. There was something about her that made him curious, something he couldn’t quite explain.
It felt strange. He had never been drawn to someone like this before. Was it because Alina was the only girl who could touch him without triggering his allergy? Or was there more to it?
He leaned back, closed his eyes, and let the water run over his face. Out of nowhere, his grandmother’s loud voice echoed in his
mind, just as dramatic as ever:
“If you don’t propose to her within two weeks, I’ll hang myself right in front of your house!”
Aiden sighed deeply, letting out a long breath.
“Two weeks,” he repeated quietly to himself, his voice mixing with the sound of water. “That’s impossible.”
Minutes later, he stepped out of the bathroom, his skin still damp, a towel draped over his shoulders. His pajama pants hung low on his hips, his torso bare, droplets of water sliding slowly down the planes of his chest.
As he rubbed the towel through his wet hair, he looked up and paused.
Alina was at the door, clearly on her way out. She stopped dead when she saw him.
Her eyes widened. Her gaze dropped… then rose again… and dropped once more. She couldn’t help it. Her heart skipped. Her
breath caught in her throat.
His chest. His abs. The water dripping down his neck, following the defined line of his collarbone. And then… his Adam’s apple
moved slightly as he swallowed.
She stared, stunned and… distracted.
Aiden walked toward her, slow and deliberate. He reached out, took her hand, and placed it against his chest.
“You can keep staring,” his deep voice whispered. “or touch… if that makes you feel better.”
Her fingertips brushed against his cold skin, and she smiled, enjoying the feeling until….
“What are you doing?”
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Alina blinked, snapping back to reality. Her hand was hanging midair. Her cheeks flushed in panic as she realized she’d been imagining touching him.
Eyes wide, she dropped her hand like she’d just touched fire.
“Don’t you dare take advantage of me,” she mumbled quickly, covering her chest instinctively and turning toward the door.
Aiden blinked, towel still in hand, his brows furrowing.
“Take advantage of you?” he repeated, baffled. “What are you talking about?”
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