𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆'𝒔 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑷𝒂𝒕𝒉 | 18+ "ᴡhᥱrᥱ shᥲdoᥕs ᴇmbrᥲᥴᥱ ʜᥱᥲrts"

6. His sweet little flower

It had been twenty minutes, but she still couldn’t find a cab. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she fought hard to keep them from falling down her cheeks. Then, her gaze landed on someone—his back turned toward her.

Beside him stood a car, and he was talking on the phone.

At the sight of him, the tears she’d been holding back spilled over. Without hesitation, she ran toward the man and wrapped her arms tightly around him, clutching his shirt with trembling fists.

Ayden was caught off guard by the sudden embrace. A frown crept onto his face as he turned around, a mixture of surprise and concern in his eyes. He noticed Aeni clinging to him, her grip fierce despite her fragile state. Silently, he ended his call and slipped his phone into his pocket.

“Ayden,” she whispered, her voice cracking.

He gently lifted her face, and when he saw tears glistening in her eyes, his heart tightened painfully. He hated seeing her like this. Without a word, he pulled her into a comforting embrace, one hand stroking her hair while the other rested on her waist.

“Fairy, what are you doing here all alone, hmm?” His voice was soft but filled with worry.

He cupped her cheek, wiping away her tears, never letting go of her waist.

“Why are there tears in your eyes? Why were you crying? Tell me, did someone hurt you?” His tone grew firmer, the last words laced with quiet anger.

Aeni slowly released her grip on him, brushing her wet cheeks with trembling fingers. She blinked away tears, her face the picture of innocence.

“Tell me, baby. Why were you crying?” he pressed gently, his fingers tracing her cheeks tenderly.

She shook her head and whispered, “No… I wasn’t crying.”

“Why lie? I saw you.” His voice was gentle but firm.

“No, I wasn’t. I was just waiting for a cab, but…” Her voice faltered.

“But what, hmm?” he urged.

“I waited so long… I even booked one, but none were available nearby. I got scared, and tears started forming, but I held them back. I didn’t actually cry.” She shook her head, innocence radiating from her every word.

She paused, then continued, ““But I don’t know why, when I saw you, the tears fell anyway. Seeing you made me happy, but I wasn’t crying—just tears came.”

Ayden chuckled softly, touched by her honesty and the happiness in her eyes upon seeing him.

He reached out, gently patting her head. Aeni smiled—she loved the comfort he gave her.

“Come, I’ll drop you home,” he said, taking her hand. She nodded immediately, a smile lighting up her face.

Just then, a voice called out from behind them.

“Ayden, who’s she?”

They turned to see a pretty girl approaching.

“Do you know her?” the girl asked again, stepping closer.

Aeni smiled politely. “I’m Aeni. Who are you?”

“I’m his fiancée,” the girl said, pointing at Ayden.

The word “fiancée” hit Aeni like a blow. Her face drained of color, and it felt as if her heart shattered into countless pieces—like something precious was snatched away from her, though it was never hers to begin with.

Tears welled up again, and she lowered her gaze to hide them.

Ayden noticed immediately. His eyes darkened with anger as he glared at the girl, voice sharp and commanding,