The morning sunlight streamed gently through the sheer curtains, filling the room with a warm, golden glow. Lainey Fisher slowly cracked open her heavy eyelids. Her tired eyes swept across the spacious bedroom, searching for any sign of him. He was already gone. She pushed herself up and rubbed her aching forehead—yeah, she’d definitely had way too much to drink last night. The pounding headache was proof.

Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, she stretched her arms high, soaking up the sun. Sunny days really did have their charm. A small smile tugged at her lips. When you can’t choose your circumstances, the best thing you can do is face them gracefully.

After freshening up in the bathroom, she checked out her wardrobe. Half of it was stuffed with dresses from this year's latest collection. Most were way too revealing for her taste, so she went with a more demure, dusty-pink vintage-style dress and plopped down on the sofa. It was only nine in the morning, but she had nowhere to go—no friends in America and completely unfamiliar with her surroundings. Bored, she flipped through a financial magazine, but nothing sank in.

An hour later, Lainey wandered downstairs. She meandered through the hotel lobby until she found herself in the cozy hotel café. A sleek black Steinway pBraydeno caught her eye. As she stepped closer, the café manager recognized her right away and hurried over. “Mrs. Wilson, is there anything you need?” he asked, his tone polite as ever.

Lainey blinked, caught off guard. So they knew who she was? Not totally shocking, considering the over-the-top wedding that had gone down here yesterday. And since the hotel was owned by Wilson Group, it made sense. Actually, on second thought, this might make things easier.

“May I use the pBraydeno?” she asked softly, nodding toward the grand instrument.

“Of course, Mrs. Wilson. Feel free. Would you like anything else? Something to drink or eat?” The manager offered a friendly grin.

She shook her head. “No, thank you. I just want to play.” With that, she walked over, lifted the lid, and let her slender fingers dance across the keys. A crisp, clear sound filled the room.

The melody of Richard Clayderman's "Mariage d'Amour" floated through the café. It was one of her favorite pieces, the kind she often dreamed about. But dreams were just that—dreams. Right now, she was wide awake in reality. As she played on, she unknowingly drew the attention of several guests.

Aries Wilson strolled in, wearing a sharply tailored black Armani suit that fit him like a glove. From a distance, he spotted the figure in the pink dress at the pBraydeno. He'd only stepped out to run a few errands, and when he got back to the hotel, she wasn't in their room. If the staff hadn't tipped him off, he wouldn't have known she'd wandered down here.

The café manager noticed Aries standing there. “Sir,” he acknowledged.

Aries waved him off. “Carry on. Bring a coffee and a glass of milk over here,” he instructed, making his way toward Lainey with an easy, elegant stride.

Deeply lost in the music, Lainey didn't notice Aries until she finished the piece and turned, jumping slightly at the sight of him. She looked a little startled but didn't say a word.

“What's the matter? Don't recognize me anymore?” Aries asked, a hint of amusement in his voice. Was it really that shocking to see him? Just moments ago, she'd been playing with a peaceful smile, and now she looked like she'd seen a ghost. Was he that intimidating?

Lainey shook her head and stood up. “I was just... surprised.”

“Really?” In one quick move, Aries pulled her into his arms. “What if you wandered off? How would I find you then?” His words sounded almost caring, but Lainey caught the sarcasm laced underneath.

“I'm not a kid. I won't get lost,” she shot back, a bit of sass in her voice. If she wasn't so afraid of losing her way, she would've explored a long time ago instead of roaming aimlessly around the hotel. The place was so huge, anyone could get turned around after a few wrong turns.

The whole reason the wedding was in New York was to keep her from running. Now, in a country she didn't know, she had nowhere to escape to.

Aries chuckled and guided her to a seat by the window. A waiter brought their drinks over in no time.

“I want the coffee!” Lainey slid the milk out of the way.

“Kids shouldn't drink coffee,” Aries remarked casually.

Lainey's eyes narrowed. “I'm twenty years old.” How could he seriously mistake her for a child?

Aries gave her a slow look up and down. “If you hadn't told me, I would've guessed underage.”

He was doing this on purpose. She was sure of it. Would he have even dared marry her if she were underage? Sure, their marriage was forced, but that didn't mean she'd just roll over and obey every command.

“I... want... coffee... now,” Lainey told the waiter beside them, each word slow and deliberate.

The waiter glanced uncertainly at Aries, but Aries just watched in silence.

“If you don't get it, I'll fire you,” Lainey suddenly declared.

Across the table, Aries nearly choked on his coffee. This bold woman was already pulling rank as the CEO's wife on day one.

The waiter hesitated, then nodded. “Yes, Mrs. Wilson. Right away.” He quickly removed the milk.

Lainey glanced at Aries opposite her, her fair cheeks flushing pink as she dropped her eyes.

Watching her, Aries burst out laughing. “What happened to that commanding CEO's wife presence?”

“None of your business!” Lainey stood up abruptly and accidentally bumped into the waiter bringing her coffee. “Mrs. Wilson, your coffee.”

“Forget it. I don't want it anymore.” With that, she rushed out of the café.

At that moment, the head butler approached Aries. “Sir.”

“If you've got things to handle, go ahead. I'll catch up with Lainey,” Aries said, rising with a charming smile and heading after her.

He left behind a confused waiter and butler, both watching him go.

Lainey wandered through the garden, the pebbled path feeling nice under her feet. Her hand rested gently on her chest as her heart raced. What was I thinking back there? That jerk just stood by and watched the whole thing.

No, she needed to go home! They'd schemed to keep her trapped in America, saying they should do both the wedding and honeymoon here. It was all a setup.

But after circling around, Lainey still couldn't find the hotel entrance that led back to her room. She was way too embarrassed to ask for directions—that'd be just humiliating.

"Why'd they have to build this place so huge anyway?" she muttered, getting more and more frustrated. Feeling nothing but sorry for herself, Lainey sank onto an outdoor wooden bench, propped her chin on her slender arm, and watched the fish swim lazily in the pond.

"I'm so jealous of you," she whispered to the fish, tears welling in her eyes.

Aries had followed her from the café, circling through the garden just like she did, until she finally sat down on the bench. He shook his head with a mix of exasperation and amusement, then walked over.

"If you're tired, go back to the room," Aries called from above her.

Lainey looked up, meeting his gaze with a sad, lost expression.

"Still not going? Suit yourself. I'm heading back," he said, strolling past her in another direction.

"Wait up!" Lainey's steps couldn't keep pace with his long stride, so she had to jog to catch up.

Aries flopped onto the bed and closed his eyes again, not moving a muscle—like he didn't have the strength to lift a finger.

Lainey looked at him, noticing how vulnerable he seemed. This was a side of him she'd never seen before, a softness that tugged at her heart.

She bent down and slipped off his shoes. Then she noticed he was still in his suit jacket, shirt, and tie—no way was he comfortable like that.

Biting her lip, she hesitated. But after a moment, she reached out to remove his jacket. "Aries... Aries, can you move a little?" she pleaded, but he didn't respond.

With a struggle, she managed to get his jacket and shirt off. Now... what about the pants?

He had a fever. She needed to get him into something more comfortable. After a beat of indecision, she steeled herself. In his weakened state, he wasn't aware—she could always deny everything later if he asked.

Her hands trembled as she undid his belt. Cold fingers grew even colder as she gathered every ounce of courage to pull off his trousers.

Finally, she got him changed into soft pajamas and pulled the blanket up. She noticed the cold sweat beading on his forehead.

Feeling totally helpless, Lainey sat by the bed, watching him. Then she went to the bathroom to wet a cloth and placed it on his forehead.

He hadn't taken any medicine either, she guessed. Seeing him suffer like this made her heart ache in a way she couldn't explain. What was wrong with her? She stood there, staring at Aries in a daze.

Walking out of the bedroom, she headed to the kitchen. She stirred the bubbling porridge gently, letting it simmer longer to thicken.

She turned down the heat and set the spoon aside. A sliver of moonlight spilled into the kitchen, making her glance out the window, lost in thought. Once upon a time, she'd dreamed of a simple life—a humble home, a husband to cook for. But now?

Her so-called husband, the man she was married to in name only, had twisted every situation to trap her and keep her locked in this cage. No matter his mood, she was just an outlet for his frustrations.

So why was she feeling sorry for him? Shouldn't she just leave him be? Let him suffer and get sicker? A husband like him wasn't worth it.

But her thoughts were cut short by the sound of sizzling, snapping her back to reality. She reached out and turned off the heat, laughing bitterly at the pot of porridge.

She kept it warm on the stove, then grabbed some cold medicine from the first aid kit, hoping he'd take it when he woke.

Back in the room, Lainey found their dog, Snowball, sprawled contentedly on the bed, lazily flicking his tail with his eyes closed.

"Snowball, off the bed. Aries is sick today—you sleep in your own bed, okay?" she gently coaxed, carrying him to his little dog bed.

Snowball watched her as she turned away, then followed her everywhere, finally settling at her feet when she gave up. His eyes stayed open as she sat by Aries's bedside.

Her cold hand brushed against his handsome face, still burning hot. "What am I supposed to do?" she whispered.

She mixed up a packet of cold medicine and propped Aries against the bed with a pillow. Spoonful by spoonful, she tried to feed him carefully, but he swallowed none of it—the liquid just trickled down his jaw.

"How are you supposed to get better if you won't take your medicine?" she murmured, the words barely reaching his ears.

Out of options, she took the medicine into her own mouth and pressed her lips to his, feeding him the liquid.

After getting him to take it that way, she wiped his mouth with a tissue.

The night passed with Lainey sitting by his side, watching over him. By four in the morning, exhaustion finally won, and she fell asleep at his bedside.

As dawn broke and the eastern sky slowly lightened, Aries opened his heavy eyelids. He scanned the familiar room and ran a hand over his aching forehead. Turning his head, he saw Lainey asleep beside the bed, her face peaceful, though her brow was slightly furrowed even in sleep.

Aries reached out to touch her face, but he was just too weak and drained. His thick brows knitted in frustration, and a low groan escaped him.

The noise woke Lainey. Her eyes flew open to see Aries trying to sit up. "You're awake? Feeling any better?"

Her cool hand pressed against his forehead. "You still have a fever! Let me get your medicine." She rose to grab it from the table, but stumbled, her legs numb from sitting all night. Her knee hit the floor hard, pain shooting through her.

Even with the thick carpet, a blue bruise bloomed on her knee. Lainey got up, grabbed the medicine, and returned to his side.

Aries watched her without a word, a warmth spreading through his normally cold heart. But it was gone in a flash, like it had never been there.

"What?" Lainey handed him the water and pills. "Take your medicine. Why are you staring at me like that?"

Feeling his intense gaze, she looked away, uncomfortable.

Aries took the water from her hand but set it on the nightstand without drinking. He slapped the pills out of her hand, scattering them across the floor.

"You..." Lainey spun back to face him, stunned.

"What about me?" Aries's voice was roughened from the illness.

"You're sick. You've got a fever—don't you know that?" She turned to get more medicine, but he stopped her.

"I'm not taking it," Aries growled, gripping her wrist firmly.

"How are you supposed to get better if you don't?" she argued, taking in his pale face and hoarse voice. Yet he still stubbornly refused.

"I said no, and I meant it! I don't need you taking care of me!" His eyes flashed with anger. A simple cold or fever was nothing to him.

Lainey pulled free from his grip. "If you didn't want me here, you shouldn't have put me in this position."

As they reached the elevator, Aries Wilson came to an abrupt halt, causing Lainey Fisher—who'd been trailing behind with her head down—to smack right into him. "Ouch!" she yelped.

"Got dollar bills glued to the floor or something?" Aries teased, catching her reflection in the glass corner, her head still bowed like a scolded puppy.

Lainey scowled. "You're the one who slammed on the brakes."

Aries sidestepped and draped a long arm around her shoulders. "Better?"

"There are people watching. Ever heard of public decorum?" She tried to shrug him off but couldn't. She shot him an irritated glare.

"You're my wife. Big deal," Aries said, though Lainey could hear the hollow ring in his words.

The elevator doors slid open, and she went quiet, letting him steer her inside.

On their way out, the hotel manager passed by with a knowing smile and a polite nod. Just before the doors closed, Aries spotted someone lurking in a shadowy corner of the lobby, and his smile cooled, edged with something sharp.

The black sedan pulled away from the hotel and disappeared down the long stretch of road.

Lainey spent the afternoon curled up in an armchair, the TV droning in the background. As evening crept in and Aries still hadn't shown, her eyelids grew heavy and she drifted off.

Aries had been stuck in meetings at the branch office all afternoon. By the time he got back to the hotel, darkness had settled in. The driver pulled up to the entrance. "Sir."

"Park it. I'll head up," Aries replied coolly, stepping out and striding toward the revolving doors.

Lainey jolted awake the moment Aries walked in. "Did you mean that?" Skepticism was written all over her face. His behavior baffled her. Why on earth would she have feelings for him? Even if she were the last woman on Earth, she wouldn't fall for him.

"No affection? Not even a little?" Aries' lips curved into a smirk. "Then why the rush to deny it?"

Lainey faltered. "Cut the games. Eat something or just keel over!" she snapped, though a tiny pang of pity for his illness crept in. She would've helped anyone in his shoes, not just him.

Normally, Aries would've lost his cool over a comment like that, but tonight? He only offered a faint smile. "If I kick the bucket, you'd be a widow. Wouldn't you miss me?"

"Why would I care? Your fate isn't my problem," Lainey shot back, turning her head away, thrown by his uncharacteristically warm vibe.

It had to be her imagination, she told herself—some weird side effect of his illness messing with her head.

"Then what's with the worried look?" Aries seemed to savor their back-and-forth. Her mouth said one thing, but her eyes told a different story.

"Worried? Me?" Lainey forced a tight smile. "Why would I lose sleep over you?"

Aries pulled her into his arms. "You changed my clothes. Stayed up all night by my side. If that's not worry, what do you call it?"

Lainey took a step back, eyes wide. Even in his weakened state, his grip was iron.

Sick or not, he was still a force to be reckoned with, she thought, trying to squirm free.

"Hoping for a reward, maybe?" Aries raised an eyebrow. "Name it, and it's yours."

All the color drained from Lainey's face. She recoiled, stung. Was that all he thought of her? That her care came with a price tag?

"Scared?" Aries murmured.

"Scared of what? I'm just impressed you figured me out so fast," Lainey shot back, bitterness flooding her chest. How stupid she'd been to think genuine care actually mattered. To him, she was just someone driven by greed—nothing more.

Aries patted the spot beside him on the bed. "Come here."

Reluctantly, Lainey moved closer and perched on the edge of the mattress. Aries traced her face with light fingers. The exhaustion there was impossible to miss—the telltale sign of a sleepless night.

"If my father hadn't forced this marriage, things might've been different," Aries admitted.

Lainey met his eyes. "So this is all because I was your dad's choice?"

"Exactly," Aries said. "You're beautiful. If you weren't, I wouldn't have looked twice."

His words cut like ice, leaving her cold all over. "You could've said no to the wedding."

Her own parents had pushed her into this, too. Why should she be the only one paying the price?

"I hoped you'd refuse. But here we are. Was it the Wilson family money?" Aries' hand slid across her cheek, making her shiver.

Facing him, Lainey declared, "You got me. I married for money. I'm a woman who chases wealth."

"I don't mind. I can give you everything material, but love? That's off the table."

"No! I don't want any of that!" Lainey protested. She'd already sacrificed so much—for her family, for him.

Aries leaned in, his breath hot against her neck as his hands roamed her back.

"Please, don't," Lainey begged, eyes swimming. Pride gone, she pleaded with him not to strip her of whatever dignity she had left. All he wanted was her body. But her heart? Had she accidentally handed that over these past few months? Why did it ache like this?

Aries chuckled softly. "You sure about that?"

She knew she was holding back, torn. Did seeing her like this actually satisfy him? Was this what he wanted?

"No!" Lainey bit down on her lip, knuckles white as she gripped the sheets.

"Lainey Fisher, you won't get away that easily. You walked into this marriage. Walking out takes more guts than saying 'I do.'"

Tears streamed silently, soaking into her hair as she turned her head, closed her eyes, and let the darkness swallow her whole.

Aries got up and headed to the bathroom, the sound of running water echoing behind him.

Lainey knew the routine: he'd shower to rinse off the sweat—and, maybe even more importantly, any trace of her scent, like it disgusted him.

Aries stepped out of the elevator and into the top-floor penthouse suite. The soft murmur of the TV greeted him as he opened the door, and there was Lainey, passed out on the couch. He shrugged off his suit jacket, tossed it onto a chair nearby, and headed straight for the bathroom. Soon, the sound of the shower echoed through the suite.

The noise stirred Lainey awake. As her eyes fluttered open, she spotted the black jacket draped over the chair—he was back. She got up quickly and made her way to the bedroom. The closed bathroom door and the rush of water confirmed it. She picked up his jacket and hung it neatly in the closet.

Lainey settled back onto the sofa, waiting for Aries to come out. They had things to talk about.

Aries emerged in a white robe, giving her a casual glance as he passed through the bedroom.

"Um, hey..." Lainey hesitated, trying to find the right words to get his attention.

He stopped and turned. "Were you talking to me?"

"Of course! Who else would I be talking to—myself?" Lainey kept her tone civil, but their conversations never seemed to start on the right foot.

Aries watched her with amusement before pulling her into his arms. "Is this how the Fisher heiress behaves?" He caressed her cheek.

A spark of defBraydence flared in her chest. She prided herself on her manners, unlike this man who constantly invaded her space.

"I don't even know what to call you," she murmured.

"You can call me Aries or husband." He chuckled, tightening his grip on her waist and pulling her closer. "And next time, speak up if you want my attention. I can't hear you if you whisper."

Lainey pressed her hands against his chest, desperate to keep some distance. The thought of calling him "husband" made her stomach flip.

"Can you let go of me now?" she breathed, her pulse quickening. Fighting him was pointless and she knew it.

He ignored her protest. "Just say what you need to say."

Lainey pressed her lips together. Fine. If he wasn't going to let go, she'd just get to the point.

"When are we going back home? Aren't you busy?" she asked softly.

"Eager to leave?" Aries studied her face, amused by how badly she wanted out. He had no plans to grant her wish just yet.

Lainey nodded.

"But I'm in no rush. So what are you gonna do about it?" He smirked, brushing a hand over her face. "Disappointed?"

If she weren't in his arms, Lainey might have had a comeback ready. He was doing this on purpose. She regretted bringing it up now. Knowing him, he'd probably prolong their stay just to spite her, ignoring everything she had waiting back home.

Aries laughed softly. "Your angry face is adorable." He pinched her cheek before finally letting her go.

Lainey backed away, putting as much space between them as possible. "From now on, let's keep it this way. No touching, no invading my personal space," she declared, her voice steadier than she actually felt.

Aries watched her with a knowing smile, saying nothing. His little wife was so naive.

He moved into the living room and picked up a financial magazine to flip through. Not wanting to provoke him further, Lainey retreated to the bedroom.

After a while, she stood by the bedroom door, stealing a glance at him before ducking back inside.

The phone on the coffee table lit up and rang. Aries picked it up. "Hello?"

"Sir, you haven't had dinner yet. Shall I prepare something?" Mr. Lee's voice came through.

"Yes, we'll be right down," Aries replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he set the phone down. He stood and walked into the bedroom. Lainey was perched on the sofa, chin in her hands, staring out at the moonlit sky.

She saw his shadow fall over her in the soft glow of moonlight and looked up. "Uh, Aries..."

"We're going downstairs for dinner," he announced, then headed into the bathroom to change into casual white clothes.

When Lainey snapped out of her thoughts, Aries was already dressed and ready. "What? Aren't you hungry?"

"Oh." She rose to follow him.

The moment the door opened, Aries pulled Lainey into his arms again. Mr. Lee stood at the entrance, bowing courteously. "Sir, ma'am, this way."

Lainey stiffened, but Mr. Lee's knowing gaze stopped her from pulling away.

In the elegant first-floor dining room, a line of waitstaff stood at attention by the door. As Aries and Lainey approached, they bowed in unison. "Sir, ma'am."

Lainey swallowed her discomfort, accepting this new reality as the future Mrs. Wilson, though a trace of melancholy lingered as she glanced at Aries, his face as unreadable as ever.

The opulent gold-themed restaurant was clearly reserved just for them—no other guests in sight. The long table was laden with the hotel's signature dishes.

Aries pulled out a chair for Lainey, waiting until she sat before taking his place across from her.

The waitstaff and Mr. Lee stationed themselves nearby.

Lainey shifted awkwardly, holding her utensils but hesitating to eat.

Aries narrowed his eyes slightly, watching her with amusement before placing a serving on her plate. "Eat. What's got you daydreaming?"

"Oh." She nodded, picking up her knife and fork. "But can they leave? It's hard to eat with so many people watching."

Aries chuckled. "Let them watch if they want. We can just enjoy our meal." He kept adding food to her plate.

Lainey stole glances at him, completely confused. Minutes ago, he seemed indifferent. Now he was being thoughtful. This man made no sense. She took a deep breath and started eating.

Aries ate with his usual elegance and ease.

After the meal, the staff cleared the dishes and brought coffee for Aries and juice for Lainey before stepping back, leaving only Aries, Lainey, and Mr. Lee.

Lainey glanced at Aries as he sipped his coffee, his face emotionless. She took a sip of her juice and stayed silent. "Aries..." she began.

A sudden knock on the door cut her off. Lainey shifted, feeling weak and drained. She grabbed a robe from the floor and wrapped it around herself just as Aries walked out of the bathroom, giving her a casual look before heading to the door. He opened it to find AlBraydenna Barnes standing there.

"AlBraydenna, what brings you here?" Aries sounded surprised.

"Did you forget? You said you'd be back yesterday and I've been waiting. I brought the suit you were supposed to wear tonight," AlBraydenna said, her eyes taking in his damp hair and the towel wrapped around his waist. She could guess what had happened.

But she kept her mouth shut, burying her displeasure and anger deep down.

Aries nodded. "Come in." Maybe the shower had cleared his mind; his voice lacked its usual edge.

It was AlBraydenna's first time in this particular apartment, the one Aries shared with Lainey. She'd always wanted to come but feared seeing something she couldn't handle. In the past, Aries would visit her place after business trips, telling her he'd missed her. But now that he had a wife, his trips ended here instead of at her apartment.

Lainey dragged her exhausted body into the bathroom, catching snatches of their conversation as she sank to the floor, curling into a tiny ball. Her hand clutched her chest, testing for pain. Could it possibly hurt worse than it did a year ago?

A bitter laugh escaped her, tears sliding down her cheeks. She'd lost everything—completely and utterly.

"Aries, I picked this outfit up yesterday for Mr. Lin's birthday party tonight. Do you want to try it on? We still have time for alterations," AlBraydenna offered, gesturing to the suit on the coffee table.

Aries chuckled. "No need. Your choices have always been perfect." He looked at her—the one who seemed to know him best. Or did she? A flicker of doubt crossed his mind.

AlBraydenna nodded. "Alright then, I'll head back. You've been working nonstop for days. Rest well tonight." She hadn't seen Lainey, which was probably for the best. Did she really want to witness them being close, Lainey all sweet in Aries's arms? No. She couldn't bear it.

AlBraydenna stood to leave, but Aries stopped her. "Wait here while I change. We can go to the office together."

"Don't you need time to adjust? After that long flight, you must be exhausted," AlBraydenna said, secretly hoping he'd stay.

"No, I'm fine." He shook his head. "I won't be long. Wait for me."

A small smile finally reached AlBraydenna's eyes. To Aries, work always came first—even over spending time with Lainey in their apartment. A marriage on paper didn't give Lainey the most important part of him—his heart.

Did Lainey think she could steal the place AlBraydenna had held in Aries's heart for over twenty years, in just a few months? Impossible.

Aries returned to the bedroom and noticed Lainey was gone. His gaze landed on the shut bathroom door. Still hiding. She was never proactive, never faced him head-on.

Fine. If hiding was what she wanted, let her. She couldn't hide forever.

AlBraydenna studied the living room decor, knowing it wasn't Aries's taste—which meant it was probably Lainey's influence. That thought brought her a surprising amount of satisfaction. Aries had always been particular about his spaces, preferring dark tones, but here everything was soft and pale. It meant something, didn't it? He didn't care about this place. He was just going through the motions.

A delicate box on the glass coffee table caught her eye. A gift, perhaps. Something from Aries to Lainey, or the other way around?

She reached for it just as Aries appeared—dressed in a sharp black suit, his presence as commanding as ever.

AlBraydenna stood and straightened his tie. "Ready. Let's go." She smiled, linking her arm with his as they left.

The door clicked shut, plunging the apartment into suffocating silence—broken only by Lainey's quiet sobs drifting from the bathroom.

The insistent ringtone from the bedroom finally pulled her from the darkness. She wrapped the robe around herself and checked the caller ID: Mya Aguilar. Wiping her tear-streaked face, she took a deep breath before answering. "Mya."

"Lainey! Finally! I was so worried—I thought something had happened to you!" Mya's relief poured through the phone.

"What could possibly happen to me? I just took the rare chance to sleep in," Lainey said with a smile, the bitterness hidden behind her voice visible only to herself.

Mya nodded. "Oh, I get it!"

"Yeah, I'm not a kid anymore. Why worry over nothing?" Lainey's inner turmoil deepened, Mya's words digging into something raw and bringing fresh tears to her eyes.

"Lainey, make sure you come early!" Mya reminded her, knowing how much Lainey hated these gatherings and might bail at the last minute.

Lainey knew exactly what Mya was afraid of. "Don't worry, I'll be there early," she promised.

Only after Mya had repeated herself and gotten multiple confirmations did she finally hang up.

In a luxurious bar, Aries sat in a private room with Eduardo Fernandez and another man. A selection of expensive whiskeys was spread out before them. "Boss, I arranged full coverage for Mr. Fisher's surgery, as you instructed. Are you sure you don't want to tell Lainey?" Eduardo had tipped Aries off immediately about Michael Fisher's operation and the burden the family had placed on Lainey.

"No need," Aries said flatly. He intended to cut ties cleanly, no looking back. That night, he'd waited at the apartment, expecting her to come to him for help. But she'd said nothing. The Fishers, not a word either. What was she trying to prove?

"Boss, you're colder than I thought. I figured your wife might mean a little more to you than the others," Eduardo remarked, swirling his glass.

Aries paused, his glass halfway to his lips. Did she mean more? Women were interchangeable, satisfying nothing beyond a physical need.

"Stone, I ran into her at the hospital. She looked pale and wrecked with worry," Eduardo added, though his words were clearly directed at Aries.

"Yeah, seemed genuinely concerned. Surprising she didn't mention any of it to you," Stone agreed, well aware of Aries's hardened heart.

"You two talk too much." Aries shot them a glare. Eduardo and Stone were deliberately bringing Lainey up.

"Too interested in my wife, are you?" he asked coolly.

Eduardo grinned. "Boss, don't get mad. It's out of concern for you. Besides, if you don't care, why does it matter what we say?"

"Got too much free time these days, huh?" Aries downed his drink, the burn a welcome distraction.

"Busy? Boss, you've seen how I haven't had time for women lately, right?" Eduardo chuckled.

Aries raised an eyebrow. "Really? How about my private island, then? With a few beauties."

"Just jokes," Eduardo chuckled, taking a sip of his whiskey.