?Chapter 85:


    Their marriage had been a forced arrangement, hadn’t it?


    Hadn’t he beenpelled into it just as much as she had?


    Ellie didn’t rify the situation between her and Erick with Kaiden. Kaiden sneered. It seemed the truth was evident, leaving no room for doubt.


    He studied Ellie’s beautiful face, his eyes filled with a mixture of mockery and irony.


    “Kaiden, I married you because of the Gordon family’s obligations, and you married me to appease your mother. Our marriage is in name only. You…”


    Her words were cut off abruptly as his lips met hers. Eyes wide with shock, Ellie saw his face close to hers, feeling the shape of his lips against hers.


    But the gentle touch quickly turned intense.


    “Let me go…”


    “If this arranged marriage isn’t enough for you,” Kaiden murmured, his voice blending with the closeness between them. “I’ll make you the true Mrs. Thorpe.”


    His hand moved under the folds of her clothing, his touch both scorching and threatening, sending shivers through Ellie.


    “Kaiden, stop this. What are you doing?”


    “I want you.”


    The room’s cool air made Ellie’s skin prickle, the sensation extending to her heart.


    “Kaiden, stop! What’s… gotten into you?” Ellie’s voice was near a roar, filled with struggle.


    “Ellie, this is what it means to be Mrs. Thorpe,” Kaiden stated, implying it was her responsibility.


    Ellie had sought the role of Mrs. Thorpe herself, even braving a downpour to do so.


    “Kaiden, I’m a woman of humble background. Aren’t you lowering yourself by doing this?” Ellie hissed.


    Kaiden’s actions were swift, overpowering her resistance. The inherent physical disparity between them made her efforts futile.


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    Kaiden’s sneer was filled with scorn.


    He wasn’t fooled by her tactics.


    Ellie sensed the tension in his body, the danger escting.


    As his hand reached for her jeans, panic set in.


    “Kaiden, wait. Please, don’t. I’m not ready. You…”


    But her pleas fell on deaf ears. Kaiden seemed like a man blinded by rage, determined and unyielding.


    The entire situation had spiraled out of control—from Erick’s involvement to Cecelia’s ident, which had been orchestrated by Demi’s malice, to Erick’s threat using Cecelia’s life. Now, Kaiden believed Ellie had been unfaithful with Erick.


    Feeling deeply wronged, Elliey immobilized, Kaiden’s grip firm on her wrists. The strong scent of alcohol wafted from him.


    Tears filled her eyes, making her seem even more vulnerable, a mix of fear and sorrow in her gaze.


    Her expression only seemed to fuel Kaiden’s desire to dominate and distress her further.


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