Forbidden Desires

Chapter :72 A shift into Fate

"I am a gentleman. My father raised me to act with honor. But that honor is hanging by a thread that grows more precarious with every moment I spend in your presence."

— Anthony Bridgeton

Aiden's POV

Aiden sat across from Raine, his palms sweating as he listened to her talk about her little sister and her mom.

This was supposed to be a way to get her off his mind.

Not for his obsession to grow even more.

What am I doing? he thought, watching the way her lips curved around the rim of her glass as she sipped her orange juice.

She probably doesn't feel the same way. Or... does she?

Across from him, Raine's heart pounded.

This is just a casual conversation between two friends. Nothing more.

That's what she told herself.

So why was she asking about Cara?

"How's Cara?"

Aiden paused.

For what felt like forever.

Finally, he exhaled and said, "I wouldn't know. I haven't seen her. Haven't spoken to her."

Raine's mind started spinning.

If he hasn't reached out to Cara... why is he here with me?

She pushed the thought away. Here I go again, overthinking.

But then again... what if I'm right? What if he's been feeling what I have these past few months?

Her mind drifted back to that night.

The heat. The pleasure. The fact that it wasn't just them—Cara was there too.

She was still lost in thought when her gaze dropped to his hand.

The wedding band on his finger mocked her.

A sharp wave of jealousy and sadness hit her at once.

This is crazy.

I'm happy. I have no intention of leaving Clayton. I'm not ruining my relationship because I can't get some rich society man out of my head.

She straightened, forcing herself to snap out of it.

"So... how's married life?" she asked, keeping her voice light.

Aiden smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes.

He looked down at his hand like it was the first time he'd truly seen the ring.

"This?" He let out a dry chuckle. "My marriage was arranged. In my world, that's just how it goes. We don't get to choose."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's not something I expect you to understand."

Raine felt a pang of sympathy.

"That must be awful," she murmured.

Aiden shook his head. "Don't feel sorry for me. I'm okay."

A beat of silence passed before he added, "I'm married in name only. I've never touched my wife. We don't even share the same bed."

Raine's breath caught.

"She was there, though," he continued, his voice lower now. "When I overdosed. She nursed me back to health. Left her life behind to be closer to the rehab center, just to take care of me."