Chapter 13 We got back to my apartment in silence . Rozen hadnt said a word since dragging me out of that bar . His jaw was clenched , his eyes dark , and I could feel the tension radiating off him like heat . I stepped inside first , tossed my coat over the couch , and crossed my arms , waiting for whatever storm he was about to unleash . He didnt make me wait long . You should come back to the estate , he said firmly . I blinked . Excuse me ? I want you there . I let out a dry laugh , turning away from him . Weve already talked about this , Rozen . Im not going back . I have a project to handle . My team needs me . And you- I spun back to face him . You dont need me . That was the deal . I need you , he said , voice low . I stared at him , caught off guard . Theres no event . No party . No banquet . So what are you even talking about ? I dont care about parties , he snapped . I just want you there . Something in me twisted . He wasnt yelling . He wasnt forcing . But there was something in his tone like desperation barely veiled beneath control . I folded my arms tighter . Youre acting strange . This … isnt you . Why are you doing this ? What happened ? He looked at me . And for the first time in weeks , I saw through the wall he always put up- the calm , calculated man was gone , replaced by someone real . Someone conflicted . Someone hurting . Without saying a word , he pulled out his wallet , opened it , and slipped something from inside . He held it up . I squinted . It was his usual ID slot but it was empty . The photo of the mystery woman the one Id found in his library was gone . I looked at him in confusion . Why did you- Before I could finish , he reached into his coat and handed me something . His name etched in silver . I stared at it . Whats this ? He shoved his hands in his pockets , not meeting my eyes . What am I supposed to do with your black card ? I asked , eyebrows furrowing . Bribe myself into moving back in ? 60 % 19:26 Fri , 18 Apr And then it clicked . My fingers tightened around the card . The one we joked about . That ridiculous , teasing deal we made during those awkward early days of this marriage . If someone falls in love , they lose . And the winner pays . Youre joking , I said , staring at him . A laugh escaped my lips , more from disbelief than amusement . You cant be serious . Rozen , that was a joke- So youre laughing while Im confessing to you ? he cut in , voice sharp . I blinked . I just … didnt expect it . You- You cant be in love with me . The words landed like a stone in the pit of my stomach . I opened my mouth , but no words came out . My chest was tight , my thoughts racing . No , this doesnt make sense- I tried to fight it , Rozen said , stepping closer , voice low and rough . God , I tried . I told myself it was just attraction . Just duty . Just guilt . But it wasnt . He reached out , brushing his fingers along my wrist where the bracelet still clung like a secret . I kept checking it , he whispered . Not because I wanted to control you . But because! needed to know you were safe . Because you mean something to me . Because somewhere along the way … I fell in love with you . I shook my head . No no , dont say that . Why not ? he challenged . Because I wont believe it . His jaw tightened . And then , before I could say another word , he grabbed my face and kissed me . Like he was trying to make me feel everything he couldnt say . It wasnt gentle . It wasnt sweet . It was raw and overwhelming , and when I gasped , he deepened it , as if he was proving a point with his hands , with his lips , with the way he pulled me close like he couldnt stand the space between us . When he finally pulled back , I was breathless , dazed . His hands stayed on my waist , anchoring me . Chapter 13 19:26 Fri , 18 Apr м . When he finally pulled back , I was breathless , dazed . His hands stayed on my waist , anchoring me . 60 % I want you , he said , voice ragged . Whether you like it or not . Youre not running away again . Youre not pretending this doesnt exist . I opened my mouth to argue , but he cut me off . Were going back home . Rozen- My wife , he finished , locking eyes with me . You wont leave my side again . I wanted to push him away . Wanted to scream that he was being ridiculous . That this wasnt what we agreed on . That I didnt believe in love anymore . That I didnt trust him . But I couldnt . Because part of me deep down had been waiting to hear those exact words . 19:26 Fri , 18 Apr Audrey's biggest regret? A one-night stand with Floyd, her secret love for eight years. Despite his arranged marriage and his family's troubles, he kept rescuing her. She thought she was just a fling,...