?Chapter 863:


    After a quick breakfast, Jett was whisked away by Maia to tend to Dayton, leaving me to return to my room alone.


    Perhaps it was because we had agreed to help Alden with the banquet—a mission far from safe—that the guards’ behavior had shifted. The wary eyes that once scrutinized our every move now carried a hint of respect. The suffocating surveince had eased, and for the first time, it felt like they saw me differently.


    Back in my room, my mind drifted to Cody, an unease settling in my chest. Before I could dwell on it, a sharp knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.


    Assuming it was Jett, I pulled the door open without hesitation. “Back already?” I asked absently.


    But it wasn’t Jett. It was Alden. For a brief second, I just stood there, caught off guard.


    “What are you doing here?” I asked warily.


    Alden leaned casually against the doorframe, a smirk ying on his lips. “What, not happy to see me?”


    I scoffed. “We’re not exactly friends. Why would I be?”


    His head tilted slightly, amusement flickering in his gaze. “Worried your husband might get the wrong idea?”


    Something about the way he said it made my stomach twist, but I kept my expression neutral. “Obviously.”


    Alden chuckled under his breath. Without waiting for an invitation, he nudged past me and strolled into the room, making himself at home on the sofa. His gaze sweptzily around, as if he were assessing something.


    Then, without any preamble, he stated, “You two aren’t actually married, are you?”


    I stiffened, momentarily thrown. Quickly masking my reaction, I snapped, “Stop talking nonsense! Get out!”


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    But Alden only chuckled. “If you were really married, even if you were given separate rooms, there would be some trace of him here. But this ce?” He gestured around. “Not a trace of men’s stuff. What, not getting along?”


    As he spoke, he stood and began closing the distance between us, his steps slow but deliberate. Despite his age, he was tall—towering over me in seconds, effortlessly backing me into a corner.


    My breath caught in my throat. “W-What do you think you’re doing?”


    Alden lifted a hand, his long fingers brushing against my cheek. His touch was cool, yet it burned in a way I couldn’t exin.


    His gaze lingered, sharp and unreadable. Then he mused, “Look at you — so in. No wonder your husband might not be interested.”


    His words were a p to the face. Irritation red hot in my chest, and without thinking, I stomped down hard on his foot.


    “Ah!” Alden let out a sharp yelp, his smirk vanishing as pain twisted his features.


    Seizing the chance, I shoved him away, my breath heavy, my re like fire. “What do you want? Say it already and quit ying games!”


    Straightening himself, he coughed lightly, rubbing his foot before finally dropping the teasing act. “I just wanted to know if you and Edward are actually married.”


    Crossing my arms, I shot him an irritated look. “And if we are? If we aren’t? How is that any of your business?”


    Alden raised a brow, his smirk returning, though this time, it was less yful. “If you’re not, that’s good. If you are… well, it doesn’t change much.”


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