Elliot led Aeisha to a steakhouse in the mall, a place so luxurious it felt worlds away from anything she would have dared to enter alone. The soft lighting bathed the pristine tables in a golden glow, and Aeisha couldn’t help but gape at the opulence surrounding her.

Elliot noticed her reaction and smirked. “You’ll need to get used to this. Your lifestyle is going to change.”

Aeisha frowned, unsure how to respond. “There’s no point in getting used to it,” she said softly. “After a year, we’ll go our separate ways, and all of this will disappear.”

For a moment, his expression flickered, revealing something unspoken, but the moment passed as quickly as it came. He sighed but said nothing, signaling the waiter to take their order.

Elliot took charge, ordering for both of them, sparing Aeisha the challenge of navigating the complex menu. As they waited, he began asking her questions—simple ones at first.

“What’s your favorite food?” he asked, his tone casual.

“Pasta,” Aeisha replied immediately.

“And dessert?”

“Choux à la crème,” she said with a small smile.

“Interesting. Favorite color?”

“Pastel purple,” she answered.

He raised an eyebrow. “Pastel purple? Is that even a color?”

Aeisha laughed softly. “Of course it is! There are so many colors beyond the rainbow.”

Elliot nodded, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “I see. And your favorite flower?”

“Tulips.”

He seemed to commit her answers to memory, his composed expression softening slightly.

When the food arrived, they ate in comfortable silence, but Aeisha couldn’t suppress her curiosity. “What about you? What’s your favorite food?”

Elliot’s answers were vague—“Whatever’s convenient” or “I don’t really have a preference.” His nonchalance left her more puzzled than before.

As they continued their meal, Elliot’s gaze shifted toward the entrance of the steakhouse. His brow furrowed slightly, and his jaw tightened, though his expression quickly returned to neutral.

“Is something wrong?” Aeisha asked, following his line of sight.

“It’s nothing,” he replied, his tone calm but distant. “Just eat.”

Though unconvinced, Aeisha chose not to press further. Unknown to her, Lance had already slipped away, silently investigating whatever—or whoever—had caught Elliot’s attention.

After dinner, Elliot drove them home. The quiet hum of the car and the stillness of the night seemed to ease Aeisha’s nerves, and she leaned back in her seat, allowing herself to relax.

The tranquility shattered in an instant.

Out of nowhere, another car rammed into theirs, jerking them violently to the side. Aeisha screamed in shock, clutching her seatbelt as her heart pounded in her chest.

The car skidded, but Elliot’s hands stayed firm on the wheel, quickly regaining control. “Duck down!” he commanded, his voice sharp and authoritative.

Terrified, Aeisha obeyed, crouching low as the deafening sound of gunfire erupted around them. Glass shattered, and metal groaned under the assault. Each jolt of the car sent fresh waves of panic coursing through her.

Through the chaos, she saw Elliot reach under his seat, pulling out a gun with practiced precision. Her eyes widened in disbelief as he rolled the window down just enough to return fire.

The sharp cracks of his weapon mingled with the cacophony outside, and Aeisha pressed her hands over her ears, trying to block out the terrifying noise. Despite the danger, Elliot remained calm and focused, his movements calculated and efficient.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the car screeched to a halt in an isolated area.

“Stay here. Don’t look. Don’t move,” Elliot ordered, his voice cold and firm.

Too shaken to argue, Aeisha nodded, huddling in her seat as he stepped out of the car. His tall, imposing figure disappeared into the darkness, the sound of gunfire resuming moments later.

Aeisha sat frozen, her breathing shallow and uneven. She prayed for the nightmare to end, her mind racing with questions. Who were these attackers? Why were they targeting Elliot?

After a tense few minutes, the chaos ceased, and silence blanketed the area.

“It’s safe now,” Elliot’s voice called out, breaking the oppressive stillness.

Aeisha hesitated before unbuckling her seatbelt and stepping out of the car. Her legs wobbled beneath her as her eyes searched for him.

Elliot stood a few steps away, his figure illuminated by the dim light of a streetlamp. Without thinking, Aeisha ran to him, tears streaming down her face as fear and relief collided within her.

She threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. “I was so scared,” she sobbed, her voice trembling.

Elliot hesitated briefly before wrapping an arm around her, his hold steady and reassuring. “You’re safe now,” he said quietly, his tone unusually gentle. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Elliot lay in the hospital bed, a fresh gauze wrapped around his torso and a hospital gown replacing his torn shirt. The sterile scent of the hospital clung to the air, the soft hum of the heart monitor the only sound in the room. Sitting beside him, Aeisha gently wiped his face with a damp towel, her hands trembling slightly as her mind replayed the events of the past few hours.

Earlier, after escaping the ambush, Aeisha had thrown her arms around Elliot, overwhelmed with relief. But when she saw the blood staining his shirt, panic had set in. "You’re hurt!" she had cried, tears streaming down her face. Her heart had ached at the thought of losing him.

“It’s just a graze,” Elliot had assured her, his voice as calm as ever, though she could see the strain in his eyes.

“Could be more than a graze!” she had protested, frantic to get him to the hospital. When Lance and Ace had arrived with backup, Aeisha had begged them to take him in. Elliot had resisted at first, but the fear in her eyes had finally made him relent with a reluctant sigh.

Now, he sat propped up in bed, the calm indifference still visible on his face, but Aeisha knew better.

“I’m fine now,” Elliot murmured, breaking the silence.

Aeisha let out a long, shaky sigh. “Good,” she replied, though her mind was still far from at ease. She looked down at her lap, her thoughts swirling. “Why is this happening to us?”

Elliot’s gaze lingered on the wall, a rare sigh escaping his lips. “It’s my fault,” he admitted.

Aeisha’s head shot up, her eyes wide with confusion. “Your fault? How is it your fault?”

Elliot hesitated before speaking, his gaze still fixed on the wall. “I have enemies around me. Those people who ambushed us—they were after me.” His voice was steady, but there was tension in his jaw, something she had never seen before.

The weight of his words hit Aeisha like a wave, leaving her momentarily speechless. Before she could respond, he turned to her, his eyes serious, as his usual composure returned. “If you want to leave, I’ll understand. This isn’t what you signed up for. I’ve put your life in danger.”

For the first time since she’d met him, Elliot appeared vulnerable. It startled her, but it also steadied something deep within her. She reached out and took his hand, her heart racing in her chest.

“I’m not leaving you,” she said firmly. “I don’t care how dangerous it is. I’ll stay.”

Elliot stared at her, his expression unreadable, before a soft snort escaped him. “Even if it’s dangerous?”

“Yes,” she replied without hesitation, smiling at him despite the gravity of their situation. “And I’ll protect you too.”

A rare smile tugged at Elliot’s lips, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’re being ridiculous.”

“I’m not!” Aeisha pouted, crossing her arms.

Elliot chuckled softly, the sound so rare it made her heart flutter. He reached out and patted her head gently. “Thank you, Aeisha,” he said, his voice quieter. “I promise, I’ll protect you no matter what.”

“I know,” she whispered. “I believe in you.”

As Aeisha stood to fetch his paperwork, Elliot stopped her with a quiet command. “Let Lance and the others handle it. You should stay here with me.”

“I can’t just sit around—”

“Stay,” he insisted, patting the empty space beside him on the bed.

Aeisha hesitated for a moment, glancing at the chair she had been sitting in. “I’m fine here.”

“If you don’t join me, I’ll leave the bed,” Elliot warned, raising an eyebrow with a hint of mischief.

Aeisha sighed in defeat and climbed into the bed, careful not to disturb his bandages. Within minutes, the exhaustion from the day’s events caught up to her, and her eyes grew heavy. Before she knew it, she had drifted off to sleep.

Elliot watched Aeisha as she slept, her breathing even and peaceful. Her face softened in sleep, and for a moment, his cold exterior melted. Something warm flickered in his eyes as he glanced at her, but the moment was short-lived when his phone buzzed.

He quietly called Lance and Ace into the room. The two men entered swiftly, their expressions serious.

“What’s the status?” Elliot asked, his tone all business.

Lance nodded. “We’ve captured a few of the attackers alive. They’re being interrogated now.”

Elliot’s voice was cold as he replied, “Good. I want to know who sent them.”

Ace stepped forward. “We’ve traced the attack back to the same person who tried to kill you a few days ago. Your uncle.”

Elliot’s lips curled into a smirk, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “My uncle still dares to make a move against me. How bold.”

“What’s the plan?” Lance asked.

Elliot’s gaze flickered to Aeisha, still asleep beside him. His expression hardened as he looked away. “Capture him. I’ll deal with him personally once I’m out of here.”

Both men nodded in agreement, their loyalty unwavering. “Understood,” they said in unison before leaving the room.

Elliot leaned back against the pillows, his mind already calculating his next moves. But as he looked at Aeisha, the tension in his shoulders eased slightly. For now, she was safe. And for her, he would make sure it stayed that way

Elliot was still in the hospital, much to Aeisha’s relief. After a lot of insistence from her, he had reluctantly agreed to stay. Despite his tough demeanor, Aeisha wasn’t about to take any chances with his health. While he recovered, Lance and Ace were now assigned to follow her everywhere, a precaution Elliot deemed necessary.

Lance and Ace, Elliot’s most trusted men, never missed an opportunity to tease him. Earlier, they had joked about him being “under his wife’s control.” Elliot, clearly unimpressed, had delivered a punch to each of their shoulders. Aeisha had stifled a laugh, knowing full well how much Elliot hated losing face, even in jest.

“I’m heading to the canteen,” she had said to Elliot. “I’ll grab something to eat.”

Ace had immediately stood up, his loyalty to Elliot never wavering. “I’ll come with you,” he had said.

As they walked down the corridor, Ace had broken the silence. “Thank you,” he had said, his voice sincere.

“For what?” Aeisha had asked, confused.

“For staying with Elliot,” he had clarified. “It means a lot to him… and to us.”

Aeisha had smiled faintly. “Elliot’s the one who accepted me first, Ace. I’m just doing what feels right.”

Ace had nodded, but his expression remained thoughtful. “I hope you’ll keep sticking with him, no matter what.”

His words had lingered in Aeisha’s mind as she had replied, “I’m not someone who leaves the people I care about. I’ll stay with Elliot until the end.”

Ace’s expression softened slightly. “I hope so.”

Just as they reached the corner of the hallway, a voice had called out, freezing Aeisha in her tracks.

“Aeisha!”

She had turned slowly, her heart sinking when she saw Zeus and Daisy standing there. They were near the obstetrics clinic, which had made her stomach churn. Of course, they’d be there together.

Daisy’s eyes had landed on Aeisha first, then shifted to Ace, who stood protectively at her side. Her lips had curled into a cruel smirk, clearly looking for trouble. “Why did you leave the wedding?” she had asked, her voice trembling as tears had formed in her eyes.

Aeisha had raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by Daisy’s theatrics. Ace, meanwhile, had regarded Daisy with the same look one gives a pest—mild annoyance mixed with disdain.

“Are you serious right now?” Aeisha had asked, shaking her head.

“I don’t understand why you left,” Daisy had said, her crocodile tears threatening to spill over. She had glanced at Zeus, clutching his arm pitifully. “Mr. Ackerman, I apologize for my sister. I’m so sorry for her being unfaithful to you.”

Her words had caught Aeisha off guard, but not in the way Daisy had intended. Aeisha couldn’t help but laugh—a real, full-bodied laugh that echoed through the hallway. Ace had joined in, his booming laughter making Daisy’s face twist in irritation.

“Why are you laughing?” Daisy had snapped, her tone sharp.

Wiping a tear of amusement, Aeisha had replied, “How dare you stand there and talk about being ‘unfaithful’? You cheated with Zeus while he was supposed to marry me. And now you’re standing here, pregnant with his child, saying you're apologizing for me because I’m unfaithful? You make me laugh so bad!”

Daisy’s eyes had widened, her hand instinctively covering her stomach. Zeus, on the other hand, had looked livid.

“You’re lying!” Daisy had shrieked. “How do you even know about that?”

“I saw you,” Aeisha had replied coldly. “And I heard you. Did you really think I wouldn’t find out? You wanted to humiliate me in front of everyone at my own wedding. That’s why I left. Not because of guilt, but because I have self-respect.”

“That’s not true!” Daisy had cried.

Zeus had stepped forward, his expression a mix of anger and disbelief. “Where’s your proof?” he had demanded. “If Daisy is pregnant with my child, where’s the evidence?”

Aeisha had rolled her eyes and smirked. “I don’t need evidence. Just wait a few months, and you’ll see for yourself. Don't act like you're stupid, Zeus. You and Daisy made the child together—don’t act like you're the victim here.”

She had turned to leave, satisfied with her words. But as she started to walk away, Zeus had grabbed her arm.

“Don’t act so high and mighty,” he had hissed. “You cheated on me first!”

Aeisha had frozen, the audacity of his accusation making her blood boil. She had spun around, ready to give him a piece of her mind, when she had felt a strong arm snake around her waist.

Startled, Aeisha had turned her head to find herself face-to-face with Elliot. His expression was cold and calculating as he stared Zeus down.

“Who’s this?” Elliot had asked, his tone sharp. “And why are you taking so long? I was waiting for you.”

Zeus had glared at Elliot, his jaw tightening. “I could ask you the same question. Who are you?”

Elliot’s lips had twitched into a smirk, but his grip on Aeisha’s waist had tightened. “I’m her husband,” he had said casually, his words like a dagger aimed at Zeus.

The color had drained from Zeus’s face as the reality of the situation hit him. Daisy had looked equally stunned, her earlier bravado completely gone. Elliot had taken Zeus’s hand off Aeisha’s arm, his presence commanding.

Elliot had glanced down at Aeisha, his expression softening slightly. “Are you ready to go?”

Aeisha had nodded, still trying to process what had just happened. “Yes. Let’s go.”

Without another word, Elliot had turned them around, guiding her away from the scene. Aeisha could feel Zeus and Daisy’s stunned gazes boring into her back, but she hadn’t cared.

As they walked away, Elliot had leaned down and whispered, “Next time, don’t wander too far. I don’t like waiting.”

Despite the tension, Aeisha couldn’t help but smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

For the first time in a long while, she felt like she had the upper hand. And with Elliot by her side, she was ready for whatever came next.