?Chapter 931:


    His words hit me like a p, dragging back memories of my fevered ramblings. My stomach churned with humiliation. My face burned so hot I thought I mightbust. Shame crashed over me like a tidal wave, and I wished the ground would just swallow me whole.


    But then, a slow, knowing smirk curled at the corners of Alden’s lips—like a cat that had just caught the canary. Before I could react, he leaned in and pressed a feather-light kiss to the corner of my mouth, exhaling a deep, satisfied sigh.


    “Ailyn, I really like you,” he admitted. “I never knew something like this could feel so good. Can we do it more often?”


    A chill ran down my spine. What? Outwardly, I was a married woman. If Dayton and Maia ever found out about this, I wouldn’t stand a chance. They’d kill me!


    “We’ll talk about itter,” I blurted, shoving him away in a flustered panic. My hands fumbled as I hastily pulled on my clothes, my only thought being to get out of there as fast as possible.


    Just as I was about to bolt, Alden reclinedzily against the pillows, his hands tucked behind his head. A faint smirk yed on his lips as he said, “Ailyn, aren’t you curious why I came looking for you today?”


    There was something in his tone—a subtle undertone that made me pause, curiosity sparking just enough to keep me from running.


    Makenna’s POV:


    Curiosity gnawed at me, taking hold of my thoughts. Slowly, I turned, my gaze locking onto Alden’s face. His mischievous smile stretched wider, teasing me without a single word. Exhaling, I said, “Go ahead. Spill it.”


    Alden tilted his head, feigning innocence, though the yful gleam in his eyes betrayed him. “Ailyn, kiss me, and I’ll tell you.”


    “You!” My teeth clenched. This brat! Even now, he had the audacity to mess with me. Pushing down the frustration rising in my chest, I huffed, “Suit yourself.”


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    ring fiercely at him, I spun around and strode toward the door, my steps sharp with irritation.


    But Alden was faster than I expected. He sprang from the bed, and before I could react, he caught my arm, stopping me in my tracks.


    I tilted my head, ready to re him into submission, only to be met with his exaggerated look of wounded innocence. “Alright, alright, I’ll tell you now. Don’t be mad.”


    I let out a sigh and turned back toward him, only to bepletely blindsided by the sight of his bare body.


    My breath hitched, and I quickly tore my gaze away, my voiceing out more flustered than I liked. “You… you should put some clothes on first!”


    Alden pouted, mumbling under his breath, “You’ve already slept with me, so what’s the point of being shy now?”


    His words made my expression darken in an instant. I shot him a sharp re, my eyes brimming with warning.


    Reading my expression, Alden sighed dramatically and trudged back toward the bed. He grabbed his clothes and dressed at a painfully slow pace, mumbling all the while, “Hmph, you’re so cold. Use me and toss me aside like I’m nothing.”


    “Stop spouting nonsense!” I snapped, my face burning with a mix of embarrassment and exasperation. But no matter how much he tested my patience, there was no getting rid of him.


    Once he was finally dressed, I took a deep breath, pushing aside the irritation wing at my nerves. My expression hardened. “Alright, what is it you wanted to tell me?”


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