Chapter 4

Aidan lit a cigarette.

In the curling smoke, he mumbled, "No."

"Then what are those red marks on her neck?"

Aidan paused for two seconds. "Mosquito bites, maybe."

Liam frowned, half-believing, half-doubting.

Aidan blew out a smoke ring and sneered. "Besides, what if I did? You don't want to be with her anyway, so why not just get a divorce?"

Liam's reaction was furious. "No, we can't divorce! Elara and I have known each other for so many years, there's still something between us. It's just... now Chloe's pregnant, and at this point, I can't leave her."

"Ha." Aidan scoffed disdainfully. "Trying to have your cake and eat it too, Liam. You're such a scumbag."

Liam was silent for a moment, then, as if making a firm decision, he said, "Aidan, the next time Elara loses her memory, let's switch back."

"We'll see when she loses her memory next time."

Without a definite answer, Liam grew even more uneasy.

He stared intently at Aidan, his face grim. "I just feel like the atmosphere between you and Elara is all wrong, Aidan. Promise me, you absolutely won't touch her!"

Aidan stubbed out his cigarette, opening his mouth to speak just as I strode over, CT report held aloft like a verdict.

"I have good news! The doctor says my neural pathways have fully regenerated. No more memory loss!"

Liam went rigid. "That's...impossible."

Aidan's face, however, split into a genuine, radiant grin. "Really? Elara, that's incredible!! Come on, let's go home and celebrate!"

I slid my arm through his, turning to leave.

But Liam grabbed my arm. "Elara, don't go! Actually, I-"

I cut him off impatiently. "Mr. Stone, even if you're my husband's friend, touching me without permission is really classless."

Without a backward glance, I walked away, leaving him standing alone.

Back home, Aidan swept me into the bedroom before the lights could come on.

His kisses were fierce, raining down on my neck.

"Elara," he breathed, the word ragged. "Never leave me. Promise me."

Lost in the darkness, I murmured. "Okay."

At my word, Aidan became a beast unleashed. He claimed me with a fierce, tireless hunger.

Just as we were nearing the peak, the lights slashed on.

In the doorway, Liam stood still, his eyes burning with rage.