Chapter 20
Snowflakes
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I noticed my
I was already tired by the time I got home. When I parked my car in the garage, husband’s car there too, which told me he had returned earlier than usual. So unlike him to be home this early.
I alighted, raked my fingers through my hair, and stepped into the hall, meeting Ana as she came forward to greet me. I let her take my coat.
“Will you have your dinner now, Madam?” she asked. I paused, staring at her for a moment.
Anabella. Forty–two years old. A single mother to a young teenager. She had been working for Ares Bani long before I ever stepped into his life. She would definitely knew about his escapades with Lencia.
Searching her eyes, those innocent irises, I finally lowered my gaze and gave up. I have been Ares‘ wife for four years, sleeping beside him in the same bed, and yet I only found out about his infidelity thanks to my reporter friend, Dove.
I bit my lower lip as the realization struck me. Bringing Ana to testify might cost her the job she desperately needed. She was struggling already.
“I’m fine. I’ll skip dinner.” My voice came out quietly before I headed for the spiral stairs.
I pushed open the door of our matrimonial bedroom and stepped in, expecting to see Ares, but he was nowhere in sight. I nearly sighed in relief. He must be in his study.
I walked to the closet, hung my bag, then headed to the bathroom, reaching for the zipper at the back of my dress. But the door opened softly behind me, and his fingers came, slow, tender, to help pull down the zipper, exposing my back to my waist.
Ares.
He always knew how to pamper a woman, how to make her feel like she was the center of the world, except now I knew it was all an act. If those feelings had been real, I would be the luckiest woman in both the human region and the wolf territory.
“You didn’t tell me you were going out,” he murmured against my ear. I gently pulled away when his fingers brushed down my bare waist.
“I only went for a walk,” I lied, turning, but he caught my wrist. I had no choice but to lift my gaze to him.
He looked handsome, breathtakingly so, but also confused by my recent withdrawal. I was the
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woman who always melted in his arms. He tugged me closer, leaning in to kiss my neck, but I placed my palm flat on his chest, pushing him away gently.
“I’m tired, Ares. Let me take my bath p>
I turned again, hoping he would let me go, but his voice stopped me.
“About
you working… since you insisted, I’ve found you a safe job p>
My eyebrow shot up immediately. A job for me? No. He meant nothing good by that.
“What safe job p>
“Charity Coordinator. You know Frosty Airline And Resort F.A.A.R, usually hosts a holiday charity. I decided you will represent the humans this year. You’ll coordinate the charity. It’s safer than becoming a profiler. You’ll be helping the needy, not chasing criminals who might kill you p>
His last words were clenched between his teeth. He was running out of patience, and I wondered why.
But a charity coordinator?
“I appreciate your offer, but I’ll humbly turn it down because p>
“The documents were finalized today, honey.” He cut me off, holding up the papers I hadn’t noticed in his hand. “Tomorrow morning we have a meeting with our investor. It’s very important, and you must be there p>
I went silent. Anger boiled hot through my veins. He finalized documents in my name without telling me?
“I am working as a profiler, Ares. You can’t take that away from me.” My gaze locked on his, but he didn’t budge, not even an inch, even when I stepped forward. “You don’t want me to be a profiler because you’re concerned about me, or because you’re scared I might become strong without your help p>
He flinched, his defenses cracking for a moment. My energy picked up the emotion. Stunned, but he masked it quickly with a tight jaw.
“You are my wife, Snow. Your safety is my responsibility,” he gritted out.
“And I am working as a profiler. I don’t care what you say. I have the legal right to choose my profession. If you wanted a housewife so badly, you shouldn’t have been so careless p>
This time he was truly stunned.
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Chapter 20
I tried to walk away, but he grabbed my arm, too tightly.
Finished
“I see your human family is filling your head with nonsense,” he said coldly. “They’re the ones manipulating you into becoming a nuisance, huh p>
“They frighten you that much? The Frosts?” I murmured. His brows drew together, surprised.
“I will protect you from them if I must.” His tone was final as he released my arm. “Tomorrow morning, be ready. You can refuse to be the charity coordinator, but that means the needy won’t be getting free supplies this holiday. All because of you p>
With that, he left the room, leaving me shaken and hollow.
My knees weakened, and I dropped onto the bed, biting my lip as I wondered how we had gotten here. We rarely argued. He had never gripped me this hard before. I looked down at my arm; it was already turning red.
Ares Bani was losing himself and I knew it was only a matter of time before he truly snapped.
As for the charity event… I had no choice. I couldn’t find it in my heart to let the needy suffer because of my battle with him. This holiday must be good for them… and for me.
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Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.