Chapter 141
Chapter 141
VENUS
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Aaron’s grip on my wrist was unrelenting. Not painful-never painful-but firm, like iron forged for the sole purpose of keeping me tethered to him. His eyes were wild, restless, like a caged animal faced with the choice. of tearing down the bars or tearing himself apart.
“You want the truth?” His voice was low, rough, gravel dragged across steel. “Fine. You’ll have it. But don’t think for a second I didn’t have reasons p>
My chest heaved, breath jagged. “Reasons don’t erase lies, Aaron p>
He exhaled sharply, jaw tightening. Slowly, almost reluctantly, he released my wrist, like letting go cost him something. His hands raked through his hair, then dragged down his face as if he couldn’t believe he was about to say this out loud.
“I got the call from Connor,” he said at last, quieter now, though no less sharp. “The day we arrived in Rome. I caught you eavesdropping, I thought you heard the call, but you didn’t.” His throat worked. “He told me Martha and Dain weren’t your real parents p>
The words punched the air out of me. I’d seen it written in the file, but hearing it from his lips made it real. Unavoidable.
I shook my head, trembling. “And you… you just decided not to tell me p>
His eyes snapped to mine. “At first? I thought you’d walk. Tear up the contract. You barely trusted me. If I had dumped that on you then, you’d have run. And I—” He cut himself off, dragging a hand through his hair again. “I couldn’t risk it. I needed the wedding to go through. I needed the company p>
The rawness in his tone cut deeper than his words. But I forced myself to speak, brittle and steady. “And after that? When you knew I wasn’t running anymore p>
His shoulders sagged, weighed down by something heavy. “After that… I had no excuse. No good one, anyway.” His jaw clenched. “The truth is, I started having feelings for you. By then, I’d kept the secret so long I didn’t know how to hand it over without losing you. I was scared. Scared you’d hate me for it. Scared you’d look at me the way you’re looking at me right now p>
My throat closed. My gaze dropped, but the ache in my chest didn’t ease. “I don’t even know what to feel right now,” I whispered. “The file said… both my parents are unknown p>
He stiffened. His gaze hardened, steady, unflinching. “About that p>
My stomach twisted. “What p>
“There’s someone,” he said carefully. “Colton Ashford p>
The name meant nothing. “Who p>
“He came to me while you were in London. Claimed he was your brother. Brought proof.” Aaron’s voice carried that ruthless edge he used when confessing sins he’d already justified to himself. “DNA. Documents.
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Chapter 141
Enough to make me listen p>
My heart lurched. “My… brother p>
He nodded once. “And that’s not all. Remember you thought someone was following you? That was him p>
My head jerked up, horror flooding me. “What p>
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Aaron’s jaw ticked. His voice turned sharp, fury simmering. “He wanted to know everything about you before he approached. Who you were, how you lived. He put a man on you. He even your photo in a magazine and said you looked exactly like your mother p>
My skin crawled. I wrapped my arms around myself, bile rising. “And you didn’t think I deserved to know p>
“I thought you deserved to be safe.” His voice cracked, fire burning in his eyes. “Do you know what Colton did when Gerald took you? He joined the search. He fought with me to get you back. But that doesn’t erase the fact that he had eyes on you without your consent. And you-” His hand hovered inches from me, trembling. “You were still fragile. Still bleeding from every wound Gerald left behind. If I’d told you then, if I’d dropped his name in your lap, you would’ve shattered. And I won’t let that happen. Not again p>
Tears burned hot down my cheeks. “So you decided for me. Again p>
“Yes,” he said without hesitation, voice hard, unapologetic. “Because you’re mine to protect. Every time someone else decided your fate, it scarred you. I was trying to give you space to stand before the next storm hit p>
A bitter laugh escaped me. “When, Aaron? When were you going to tell me? If I hadn’t found the file? If I hadn’t pieced it together myself p>
Silence. Heavy, deafening silence. His jaw locked tight, his chest heaving unevenly. His eyes betrayed him, torn and warring.
“When?” I pushed again, sharper, trembling with rage. “If I hadn’t seen the file, would you have ever told
me p>
“Venus p>
“Don’t you dare say my name like it’s an excuse. Answer me. When p>
He dragged in a breath like swallowing knives. Then finally said, low and raw, “I planned to give it a month. Maybe two. When I was sure you wouldn’t spiral. When I wouldn’t lose you p>
His gaze pinned mine, a storm raging. “You think I don’t know I should’ve told you sooner? You think I don’t know how this looks? But you have to understand, I was playing a game with Richard, with Caroline, with Dorian. Enemies circled like vultures. Every truth I gave you was another weapon against me p>
He added quietly “And you weren’t ready. Your therapist said not to overwhelm you. Colton was even at the hospital, Venus. To see you. But I didn’t let him p>
Tears blurred my vision. My voice broke. “So what then? You were waiting for the perfect moment? When I was healed enough in your eyes? When you decided I’d earned the truth p>
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Chapter 141
His hand shot out, gripping my chin, tilting my face up. His touch wasn’t cruel, but unyielding and desperate. “No. I was waiting for the moment you’d believe me when I said I wasn’t going anywhere. That no matter how twisted, how dark, how dangerous it got, I’d still be here. With you. For you. Always p>
My chest heaved, torn between fury and something I didn’t want to name. His eyes searched mine, burning, demanding, pleading.
“I was wrong to wait,” he admitted, voice raw. “I was wrong to keep it from you. And if hating me helps you breathe, then hate me. But don’t doubt why I did it. Don’t ever think it was because I didn’t care. You’re the only thing I care about p>
Silence stretched between us, sharp and endless. His hand loosened on my chin but didn’t fall away, like letting go would mean losing me completely.
And inside me… I couldn’t untangle it. Betrayal burned hot, but beneath it-ache. That terrible, gut- wrenching ache that whispered he was telling the truth. That every reckless choice came from the same brutal place: me.
“I don’t even know who I am anymore,” I whispered. “Dain and Martha weren’t my parents. Colton Ashford says he’s my brother. And you-” my voice broke, “you’ve been holding all of it, deciding when I get to know p>
His thumb brushed against my trembling jaw. “Then let me help you find out who you are. No more secrets. No more delays. I’ll put the truth in your hands, even if it destroys me. But don’t walk away. Not now. Not after everything p>
My eyes shut, tears spilling hot and helpless. My heart screamed one way, my mind another.
I couldn’t answer him now.
But I stayed.
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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.