?Chapter 172:


    Before Ellie could finish her words, Kaiden pressed his lips against hers. Her eyes widened in astonishment.


    The next day, sunlight seeped through the window into the master bedroom, bathing Ellie, whoy on the king-sized bed. Enveloped in the bright yellow light, she seemed to glow, her skin taking on a golden hue.


    Ellie was not used to the cold. In winter, when she slept at night, she liked to snuggle close, unconsciously leaning toward a source of warmth. Leaning against the headboard, Kaiden looked down at the woman curled up on his legs like a kitten, waiting patiently for her to wake.


    Ellie had work to do in the afternoon, so she had set her rm to wake up early enough. However, when the sound of the rm finally roused her, she wore a bitter and annoyed expression. Her face was rosy, and her lips were pursed as usual.


    Looking at her, Kaiden softly pinched her chin and asked, “Have you thought it through?”


    Ellie’s mind was a nk canvas. She gazed at Kaiden with drowsy eyes and slowly furrowed her brow.


    “What seems to be the matter?” Kaiden asked, his eyebrows arching in curiosity.


    Ellie shot him a scornful nce, then turned and swung her legs out of the bed. Yet, the moment her feet touched the floor, they gave way. Unprepared, she nearly copsed, but Kaiden caught her by the waist.


    “You’re struggling to even stand?” With one arm, Kaiden lifted her back onto the bed. Shouldn’t she consider some form of exercise?


    “My hands are throbbing! And my legs—they’re like jelly!” Ellie’s voice rang out, echoing her frustration.


    She was beyond tired and had barely slept. To top it off, this man had the audacity to bind her wrists with a tie! His presence was bing unbearable.


    Kaiden, taken aback, understood the weakness in her legs—but her hands? That puzzled him. It was only then that he noticed the faint red lines on her wrists, the remnants of the tie’s embrace.


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    Gently holding her wrists, Kaiden murmured, almost to himself, “You’re quite fragile, aren’t you?”


    Ellie, uninterested in engaging further, fixed her gaze on the floor-to-ceiling window, willing her legs to regain strength.


    She presented a delicate profile. Many hadbeled Ellie as aloof and graceful, but since their marriage, Kaiden had found her tender, soft, and endearingly cute.


    When she felt his arms around her again, Ellie protested, “Hey, Kaiden!”


    “Stay still,” he insisted, carrying her toward the bathroom.


    Yet, Ellie did not begin brushing her teeth immediately. She looked at Kaiden for a moment and said, “Please leave. I need some privacy.”


    Kaiden nced down at her, teasing, “Ellie, are you sure you’re steady enough?”


    Ellie shut her eyes, regretting herck of dedication tobat training. If only she had been more diligent, she wouldn’t feel so helpless against Kaiden now.


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