CHAPTER 85: CHAPTER 85: HE KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AT MIDNIGHT

Stella stared at him.

The light fell across his sharply defined face, and his tall figure almost completely enveloped her.

In just a few days, she would be leaving Meritopia.

This time, once she left, most likely, she would never see him again in this lifetime.

He’d saved her so many times. A dance—could that be enough to repay him?

Maybe, it wouldn’t be so bad.

She calculated quickly in her heart.

Just as she was about to raise her hand—

"Aiden!" A sickeningly sweet, sugary voice rang out at the doorway.

Stella looked up.

A woman in an ice-blue strapless gown stood there, makeup flawless, softly curled hair, looking at Aiden Fordham with eyes brimming with surprise and dependence.

It was Corinne Kensington.

Aiden’s outstretched hand froze in midair; he slowly straightened, the warmth on his face plummeting to absolute zero.

The pressure around him dropped to a terrifying low.

Corinne seemed oblivious, her high heels clicking rapidly as she made her way over.

The hem of her dress swayed with grace.

She strode directly up to Aiden, quite naturally—almost with a bit of show-off—hooking her arm through his.

Her body pressed tightly against his.

"I knew Aiden would keep his promise and come! You always do!"

Her voice was soft and coy, tinged with exuberant excitement.

"Tomorrow is the opening ceremony for the new ’Pear Blossom Tomb’ series—I’m so happy you could come!"

She tilted her chin up, her eyes bright as she gazed up at Aiden, utterly ignoring Stella standing beside them.

"Everyone downstairs at the club is drinking now. Aiden, come celebrate with me!"

Stella tugged at the corner of her lips, her tone flat.

"President Fordham. Thank you for dinner; I’ll be leaving now."

Aiden’s expression was stormy.

He looked at Stella’s cold, distant demeanor, and a sudden, unexplained fury welled up in his chest.

As she turned, he suddenly stepped forward and grabbed her wrist—hard.

He did not hold back.

Stella was forced to stop. She frowned and tried to shake him off.

"Stella." Aiden’s voice was low, taut with suppressed anger. "I have nothing going on with her."

His explanation was blunt and harsh.

Stella found it laughable.

She jerked, slapping Aiden’s hand away with a loud smack.

The movement was swift and decisive.

"President Fordham’s private affairs aren’t my concern." Her voice was chilly, edged with obvious impatience. "No need to explain."

"Goodbye!"

With that, she didn’t look back, heading straight for the door, her posture upright, not a trace of regret.

Aiden watched her walk away with ruthless finality, his hand still suspended in the air.

A torrent of irritation and rage crashed about in his chest.

He wanted to go after her, but Corinne was still standing close by.

He whipped his head around, staring hard at Corinne.

The look in his eyes was cold and menacing.

Corinne shrank under his gaze, her smile faltering.

"Aiden, I... I’ll go back to my room. If you have time, come find me later."

She fled in a hurry!

In the small hours, inside a hotel suite, Corinne collapsed on the carpet, staring at a glaring patch of blood, her fingers shaking uncontrollably.

She grabbed her phone, her voice trembling with sobs and disbelief.

"He—he ran away..."

Before she could finish, she covered her face and broke down in heavy sobs.

Late at night.

"Bang bang bang!"

Urgent, violent pounding rattled the door, threatening to rip it off, brutally shattering the quiet of the room.

Stella wrinkled her brows, annoyed, and got up from the bed, reluctantly making her way to the door.

Just as she opened it, a tall figure burst inside.

It was Aiden Fordham!

Without a word, he yanked Stella—who barely had time to react—into his arms, crushing, fevered lips slamming down over hers.

The kiss was rushed and fierce, brooking no resistance, a consuming force—like centuries of suppressed lava finally finding an escape and about to erupt.

Stella was totally startled by the sudden attack.

She fought to struggle free, her hands instinctively pushing at his chest—only to feel his arm instead.

Wet, sticky—the sensation spread through her fingers, and the air was thick with the scent of blood.

She quickly looked down.

Shock!

His fine blue shirt was soaked with blood—huge swathes stained dark red, nearly black.

"You’re hurt!" she gasped.

But Aiden paid no heed; his body was burning with fever, completely disregarding the wound on his arm—he only kissed her harder, as if he would swallow her whole.

He was like a beast gone wild, only primal desire reflected in his bloodshot eyes.

His scorching kisses trailed down, landing at the hollow of her neck.

Hot breaths spilled out against her ear, his voice hoarse to the extreme, tinged with agony, murmuring—

"Stella, give me..."

"Give me..."

His big hand feverishly reached for the buttons of her pajamas, urgently trying to strip them away.

Stella’s mind buzzed.

This familiar loss of control... Had Corinne drugged him again?

But if he was drugged—why not seek out Corinne to resolve it? Why come to her in this madness?

"Get off!" She bent her knee and shoved hard against him, while her hands struggled furiously.

Aiden seemed deaf to her pleas, never pausing the kisses, forcefully scooping her up and, with a few strides, pinning her onto the soft bed behind.

He gave her no chance to break free.

Reason? What was that? Burned away by the drugs long ago.

Now, all he wanted was her—all he wanted was to possess her, fiercely and completely!

He pressed her down with his weight, her hands pinned tightly above her head, looming over her with a gaze that could have devoured her alive.

"Aiden!" Stella screamed, her voice choked with tears.

"Wake up! Look at me—look! It’s Stella!"

Fear swept over her, overwhelming, tears spilling uncontrollably.

"Don’t do this... Aiden... I’m begging you... don’t make me hate you! I really will hate you!"

"Aiden! Wake up!"

Her cries were desperate and shaking with hopelessness.

Aiden suddenly froze; he lowered his head and stared at the tear-streaked girl below, her clear eyes filled with terror and pleading.

A sudden stab of pain slashed through his heart—his eyes, red from desire, finally grew a little clearer.

Seeing her face soaked in tears, trembling with fright, was like being pierced to the bone.

"Sorry..." His hoarse voice was laden with endless struggle.

He abruptly pushed himself off her, staggering into the bathroom.

"Crash—"

The sound of icy water.

Stella drew a deep breath, her chest still heaving violently.

She rummaged through her purse for a small red pill, holding it tightly, and followed him into the bathroom.

Aiden stood under the shower, head bowed.

Cold water poured from above, soaking his messy black hair, streaming down his sculpted muscles.

His fists were clenched so tightly that veins bulged, his body shuddering slightly as he fought for control.

Blood still streamed from the wound on his arm; the bright scarlet blended with the water, swirling into a pale red puddle on the floor.

Stella stepped up next to him.

"Aiden, take this." Her voice was gentle, soothing. "You’ll be alright after you do."

She gently placed the red pill against his cold lips.

He grabbed her and pulled her close, holding her tight as they both stood beneath the shower, drenched in icy water together...