Chapter 148
Chapter 148:
On the drive home, Helena didn’t say a word.
When Alden asked what was wrong, she hesitated. But seeing the concern in his eyes, she decided it was time to share her burdens. Her story unfolded slowly, starting with scattered memories and her unexplained connection with Marcus.
“Marcus used to run a restaurant near an orphanage. Perhaps I met him there before my memories vanished. And my mom—no, I mean Gemma—she said I was p>
She swallowed hard, struggling with the next part.
“Gemma said I was born from an affair my dad had. But that doesn’t sound like him at all—he wasn’t that type of man. It seems more likely that he found me at the orphanage and took me in p>
As she spoke, tears began to form in her eyes.
“I might just be someone abandoned at birth p>
“Please, don’t think that p>
Alden swiftly interrupted Helena’s tearful admission.
In an instant, he enveloped her in a tight embrace, pressing her cheek against his chest.
Listening to his heartbeat, strong and reassuring, Helena felt a wave of comfort as his voice filled her ears with gravity.
“Your lineage is irrelevant. What truly matters is that you are Helena, and you are now my wife p>
As his words sank in, the tears Helena had been fighting began to cascade down her cheeks.
Resting her head on his shoulder, overwhelmed by emotion, she gave a firm nod.
Throughout their journey home, they remained entwined, finding solace in each other’s embrace.
When they finally reached home and closed the door behind them, Helena, overwhelmed by her feelings, raised herself on her tiptoes and planted a soft kiss on Alden’s cheek.
For a brief moment, time stood still for both of them.
ℝ𝑒𝒶𝒹 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝒸h𝒶ρtєrs 𝑜𝓃 g𝓐l𝑛ovєls.𝓬0𝓶
Helena blushed deeply. Overwhelmed by the situation, she made a split-second decision to pull away.
Alden, however, was quicker. He caught her arm, drawing her back into a warm, secure hold.
“Alden p>
Helena barely had time to protest before he sealed her lips with his, in a kiss that was both passionate and tender.
The kiss, charged with emotion and yearning, left her reeling. Without warning, he lifted her effortlessly, carrying her toward the bedroom.
As her head touched the plush pillow, reality began to dawn on her. Her initial impulse was to push him away, but the moment had already taken on a life of its own. Alden’s breaths became more labored.
Looking into his eyes, Helena could see an intense longing that mirrored her own, awakening a deep, primal response. She surrendered to the feeling.
Helena shut her eyes, giving in completely to the moment.
Everything unfolded smoothly at first. But then, a large, warm hand moved beneath her clothing, Alden’s slightly rough fingers brushing against her waist. Every muscle in Helena’s body tightened unexpectedly. She endured, trying not to let it show—for his sake.
Suddenly, her inner turmoil burst forth, and she let out a cry of distress.
Time seemed to pause in that instant.
Shortly after, Alden ceased all movement, swiftly drawing the blanket over her and enveloping both her and the thick blanket in a warm embrace.
Taking several deep breaths to calm herself, Helena reopened her eyes, feeling as if she had narrowly averted a terrifying ordeal.
She gazed at Alden, who was visibly holding himself back, and her voice broke.
“I’m sorry! I thought I was over it. It seems I’m not fully healed yet. I didn’t mean to react like that. I p>
“Shh p>
Alden interrupted her gently. He brushed the tears from her cheeks, his tone tender and reassuring. “We don’t need to hurry. There’s plenty of time for us—we can go at your pace p>
Helena responded with a sincere nod.
With a comforting smile, Alden continued, “Just one thing, though—you’ll have to make a compromise, too p>
Her body stiffened once more.
Alden chuckled softly. “Relax, it’s not what you’re thinking. Tonight, I just want to be close to you—no other intentions, I promise p>
Heat rushed to Helena’s cheeks, yet she nodded in acceptance. She had doubts about being able to sleep with him so close.
Surprisingly, once nestled in his arms, she drifted off more quickly than she had anticipated.
While Helena slept soundly against him, Alden stayed awake, gazing at her calm expression. However, tranquility eluded him, and he had to take a cold shower to settle his desires.
As he watched Helena, a wry smile tugged at his lips, and he murmured, “You really know how to torture me p>
Reflecting on her earlier distress, he gritted his teeth and whispered, “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure everyone who has caused you pain will face their consequences—no one will escape p>