Chapter 46
Chapter 46
VENUS
It was already dark when I stepped inside. The house was dead silent-the kind of silence that makes your skin crawl. The lights were off, and for a split second, I thought maybe he wasn’t home.
Wishful thinking.
I flipped the switch.
And there he was.
Sitting on the couch, back straight, eyes vacant. Staring into nothing. Like a damn ghost.
Creepy.
“Aaron p>
His head turned slightly. Slowly. Too calm.
“Venus,” he said flat, cold, controlled. Like a knife resting against your throat.
“Why are you sitting in the dark p>
A beat. Then he asked-no, accused-
“You told Gianna p>
He already knew. The question was nothing but a courtesy. One last out.
I didn’t take it.
“I… Yes. I did p>
He gave a single nod. Barely a reaction.
“Hm p>
That was it?
“That’s all you’re going to say?” I asked, heart pounding. Watching him like he might explode. Or worse-not. “Why were you with my mom today p>
His voice came low, almost amused. “Why were you in her room p>
“She’s my mother p>
“And I’m her son-in-law. Can’t I visit my mother-in-law p>
I scoffed. “You know we’re not that kind of couple p>
His gaze turned razor-sharp.
“Not what kind p>
“Not a real one. We’re pretending, remember p>
He leaned forward slightly, voice like silk stretched over steel.
“Would you have preferred I lied to her? Hidden our wedding p>
“I hate lying to her,” I snapped. My voice cracked with the truth of it.
He stood, slow and deliberate. Like a predator stretching after a nap,
“Well then… suck it up p>
He took a step forward. Then another.
“I was tying up loose ends p>
My stomach twisted.
“Loose ends? Is that what my mother is to you p>
He stopped just inches away, eyes gleaming with something dark. Too dark.
“Anything-or anyone-who can ruin my plan is a liability, Venus.” His voice dropped. “That includes people you care about p>
He was in my space now. Stealing the air, stealinny breathy His dhe rred dangerously close to mine.
Successfully unlocked!
“You better pray Gianna doesn’t go spilling what she has no business spilling p>
His breath ghosted over my skin. My heart thundered, but I held my ground.
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Chapter 46
Then he smiled. Cruel. Cold.
“Dinner? I cooked p>
I blinked.
“…What p>
He stepped back like nothing had happened-like he hadn’t just threatened my entire world with the same tone someone uses to ask for the remote.
“You’ve been out all day,” he said casually. “You must be hungry p>
What the hell was going on?
My voice slipped out before my brain caught up. “Famished p>
He turned on his heel. “Come p>
He led me to the dining table, each step quiet, calculated. He pulled out a chair for me. Waited until I sat. Not a word. Not a twitch.
Too quiet.
Then he served me a plate and I blinked.
“Wait… is that creamy mushroom risotto p>
He nodded. Served himself. Sat across from me. Just like that.
Like he hadn’t been sitting in the dark plotting psychological warfare ten minutes ago.
I didn’t touch my fork.
He noticed, of course he did. He always did. He chewed, swallowed, then smirked like a serpent.
“Poisoning you would be far too quick, Venus p>
I rolled my eyes but didn’t smile. “Just making sure p>
I muttered a quick prayer-because you never know-and took a bite.
And oh my God.
It was good. No. It was amazing.
“You… made this?” I asked, suspicion thick in my voice.
He nodded once, calm as ever. “From scratch p>
“I didn’t know you could cook p>
He shrugged. Like it wasn’t impressive. Like it wasn’t infuriating that a man who looked like that also knew how to use truffle oil correctly.
I narrowed my eyes. “Okay. What’s the angle p>
He paused, fork halfway to his lips.
“Excuse me p>
“You’re acting like a psychopath one minute, then feeding me gourmet risotto like some husband on a cooking show. What do you want, Aaron p>
He set his fork down slowly. Leaned back in his chair. Eyes locked on mine.
“Does everything I do need to be part of some manipulative agenda p>
“Yes p>
He actually laughed-low, deep, but real.
“My mother taught me to cook p>
That threw me off.
I blinked. “Seriously p>
He nodded, fingers drumming the table absently.
“Every Sunday growing up. She said no son of hers would depend on a woman to feed him p>
A shadow crossed his eyes. Something old. Something heavy.
“She taught me how to knead dough, bake crusts, temper chocolate. She made it a ritual. Our thing p>
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My fork slowed in my hand.
There was something raw in his voice. Something that didn’t match the cold, calculated man I’d come to know.
“That’s… unexpected,” I said softly.
He tilted his head. “Why? Because I know how to threaten and sauté in the same breath p>
“Because you act like emotions are a weakness. And trust is a scam p>
His jaw flexed. But he didn’t deny it.
Instead, he leaned in again. Elbows on the table. Voice low.
“You’re right to be suspicious, Venus. I am dangerous. I do have motives. And no, I’m not a real husband. But that doesn’t mean everything is performance p>
I swallowed.
He was too close now-not physically, but emotionally. Prying. Digging.
“So what was this, then?” I asked, quiet. Direct.
He didn’t blink.
“It was dinner. And a reminder p>
“Of what p>
His voice dipped into a whisper, the kind that slides under your skin.
“That I can destroy or comfort. Feed or starve. Hurt or hold. And that you, Venus… don’t get to choose which version I am p>
The silence that followed felt thick.
And somewhere deep in my gut, I knew-
He wasn’t just trying to scare me.
He was testing me.
Trying to see which version of him I’d flinch from. Which version I’d still sit across from.
I took another bite. Held his gaze.
“Well then, cookboy,” I said coolly. “Next time, throw in some garlic bread p>
His lips twitched.
“Good girl p>
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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.