Chapter 55
Chapter 55
VENUS
I knew it would be tasking to convince her not to go back to that house.
But I never expected her to be so harsh about it.
I will not cry. I will not cry. I will not cry.
I chanted the words in my head all the way home.
The door clicked shut behind me.
I dropped my purse onto the console, hands shaking harder than I wanted to admit. The hospital air still clung to me- sterile, cold, thick with words I couldn’t un-hear.
He’s still my husband.
God.
I leaned against the door, pressing my forehead to the cool wood. One deep breath. Another.
I’d barely made it halfway toward the stairs when a voice sliced through the silence-low, steady, unmistakable.
“Nice of you to come home p>
I froze.
Aaron.
He stood in the kitchen. Sleeves rolled up, a crystal glass of something dark and amber in one hand. Leaning back against the counter with infuriating calm, eyes locked on me. Eyes that saw everything.
“I-” My voice cracked. “I went to see my mom p>
“I know.” He took a slow sip. “And then what? Planning to run yourself into another disaster before you’ve even sobered up from the last one p>
I bristled. “Don’t start p>
“Don’t start?” His laugh was soft. Dangerous. “Venus, do you even remember half of last night? Because I do. Every damn second p>
Heat flushed my cheeks. “I didn’t ask you to come after me p>
“No, you didn’t.” He set the glass down, pushed off the counter, and stalked toward me. Slow. Deliberate. Predatory. “But I had to. You were a mess. Alone. You ditched the guards tasked to protect you, You acted like a child. You’re my wife, Venus. Everything you do reflects on me. And you were out there, drunk-frolicking with Gerald fucking Marlowe p>
“I handled it,” I whispered. “I-1 p>
“You handled nothing,” he snapped. Now inches from me, towering, that familiar scent wrapping around me like a noose. You were lucky I showed up when I did. Very lucky p>
I looked away. My heart hammered in my chest.
His fingers caught my chin, tilting it back-forcing me to meet his gaze. “Look at me when I’m talking to you p>
God.
“I’m not a child,” I bit out.
“Then stop acting like one,” he hissed. “You think this is a game? Running off, getting drunk, ending up in the arms of men like Gerald? You have no idea how fast that could’ve gone wrong p>
“I-” My breath hitched. “I didn’t even know he was at the club. I went out with Sabine and Gianna p>
The words came out thinner than I wanted. Weaker.
I hated that I sounded so small in front of him. Especially now. Especially after today.
But it was already too late.
Tears burned behind my eyes-hot, sharp.
No. I will not cry. I will not cry.
I blinked hard. Bit my lip. But the tears slipped of Successfully unlocked!
Aaron’s gaze flickered as they caught the first glint of them. His grip on my chin loosened, fell away like the touch had burned him.
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Chapter 55
“You” His voice dropped, rougher now. “What the fuck is wrong with you? Why are you crying p>
“I’m not,” I choked out.
His mouth twisted. “Don’t lie to me, Venus p>
“I’m not lying!” My voice cracked, a sob escaping before I could stop it. I swiped my sleeve across my face. “I just… I can’t p>
I broke off.
I couldn’t say it. Couldn’t say I can’t keep carrying everything alone. That would sound pathetic.
I didn’t want to be pathetic. Not in front of him. Not now.
He exhaled slowly, watching me like I was a puzzle missing its pieces.
“What happened?” His voice was quieter now. Controlled. “Tell me p>
“I-“I wiped at my face again. “I went to see my mom. She’s getting discharged soon. I tried to convince her not to go back to that house. To Dain p>
Aaron’s jaw ticked. His body stilled.
“And she-” My throat closed. “She said she wanted to go home. And when I offered to find her a new place, she said she didn’t want me spending your money. And then p>
I swallowed, words splintering in my throat.
“She said Dain is still her husband.” My voice cracked. “Even after I told her everything he did. What B-Billy tried to do to me. She still chose him over m-me p>
The words tore free like glass in my mouth.
Pandora’s box was open now.
“And the only reason I agreed to m-marry you was for her.” My shoulders trembled. “I do everything with her in mind. That’s selfish of me to say this. She didn’t ask me to. She doesn’t even know p>
Aaron’s eyes darkened as my voice broke-my confession spilling out like a flood I couldn’t stop.
The silence was suffocating.
His gaze dragged over my face-tear-streaked, exhausted, breaking.
For one long beat, he said nothing.
“I’m just overreacting, I guess it makes sense he’s her husband and she loves him. You’d do anything for the one you love wouldn’t you p>
I wiped my tears. Trying to grab on to anything to make it hurt less.
Then his voice cut through the air, sharp as a blade.
“Selfish?” He gave a bitter laugh. “That’s what you think this is? Giving up your life-your choices-for a woman who can’t even see the worth of her own daughter makes you selfish p>
I flinched.
He stalked closer-slow, relentless. Like a predator circling prey already caught.
“No, Venus. You want to know what’s selfish?” His eyes glittered cold. “She is. She’s the selfish one. For letting you bleed yourself dry trying to win love she’ll never give. For throwing you to wolves like Dain and his filth, while clinging to the chains he locked her in p>
“S-Stop…” I whispered, voice breaking.
But he didn’t stop.
“You sacrificed yourself for a woman who would rather defend the man who nearly ruined you, than stand beside you now p>
His jaw clenched, anger cutting away, something darker rising beneath it.
“And you’re standing here crying, still trying to make it make sense p>
Another tear slipped free.
I didn’t want to hear it.
Deep down, I’d always known it was true even before her cancer. But the stupid little girl in me wanted a parent to cling to.
Hearing it only made it worse.
My knees gave a small wobble, breath hitching.
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Aaron moved before I could crumble, one rough hand wrapping around my wrist, the other sliding around my waist Pulling me in. Hard against him.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.