NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 538: This is for you.
Arwen stared at Aiden's face for a second longer before moving her hand, her fingers trailing gently over his forehead to ease the creases between his brows.
"You don't look your best today," she murmured softly. "You look like you are carrying a great burden on your shoulders … that's exhausting you from the inside. What is it?"
Aiden was momentarily caught off guard. He never thought she would be able to read him so easily.
But she did.
That too … perfectly.
But now, what could he say to her?
Arwen noted the flicker of trouble in his expression and gently moved her finger to caress her skin.
"If it's something you are not sure you can tell me yet, don't force yourself," she said quietly. "I understand that not everything is meant to be shared right away.
Though it pained her to see that hesitation in his eyes, she truly understood where it came from. After all, they were still there —cultivating their relationship and bond. And bonds and relationships like that take time to get built.
Aiden's brows furrowed slightly at her words, but Arwen only smiled and nodded.
"Yes, I won't press," she continued, her voice soft but firm. "I will wait for the day you feel ready to tell me everything —without fear, without hesitation. Until then, just know … I am here with you, ready to hear it all whenever you are ready to share."
She said with a quiet strength that made something shift in him.
He wanted to explain —tell her his silence wasn't about mistrust. That the reason for his hesitation wasn't what she thought. But the words wouldn't come, knowing that he would not be able to explain to her what it was then, if not what she assumed it to be.
So instead, he nodded.
Arwen's smile deepened slightly, a flicker of understanding in her eyes.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot to ask," she said suddenly, recalling something she had meant to ask earlier. "You came home so late tonight. Did you manage to eat dinner?"
Although he had said that he would, she wanted to confirm it with him.
Aiden gave a slight nod. "I did, but Mr. Jones told me you cooked something today."
"Yes, I did," she nodded. "I prepared a few dishes that I thought you would like. But it's fine, I don't resent you for not showing up."
She tried to shake off the tinge of disappointment that had lingered earlier.
"I can have it now," Aiden said, and her head snapped toward him, her eyes slightly wide in surprise.
"You will have it now? But … didn't you say you had your dinner already?"
He nodded. "I did —but that was hours ago. I haven't had a midnight meal in a while … and suddenly, I am craving one. If you would join me, it would be perfect."
Arwen narrowed her eyes at him, looking unconvinced. "You are not saying that out of guilt, are you?"
Aiden gave a faint smile, biting his lips. "No," he said, shaking his head. "I meant it.
She studied him for a beat, then sighed, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. "Fine. If you are craving for it, then."
With that, she removed the throw blanket draped over her and extended her hand, letting him help her to her feet.
As they moved toward the kitchen together, she said, "I had asked Mr. Jones to put the food into the refrigerator. We need to check if it's still there. If it's not … then consider it your bad luck. You missed the chance of having it. I will cook you some instant noodles"
"I haven't been that unlucky," Aiden responded confidently, and Arwen gave him a look — her lips pursed and one brow raised.
"Then, sir, you should know —everything and everyone gets a first time. Pray that today is not one for you."
He chuckled, the sound low and genuine, and she couldn't help but smirk back, the tension from earlier slowly lifting.
Outside, the night settled deep and still, wrapping the estate in its velvet hush. But in the kitchen, under the soft yellow light, the air was filled with warmth, and comfort.
————
The next morning, Arwen woke up slightly late. But she had already expected it to be like this. After all, by the time she got to bed last night, it was already a few hours before dawn.
But what surprised her in the morning was the empty space beside her. As far as she remembered, Aiden hadn't been any early as well, but seeing how cold his side of the bed felt, she could tell he had woken quite early.
Did he not sleep well?
Her eyes darted in search of him around, but when she didn't see him, a frown settled between her brows.
He couldn't possibly leave early again, could he?
Just as the thought crossed her, she heard him from the door.
"Who are you looking for so early in the morning?"
Arwen at once turned to look and found him standing there. Pursing her lips, she said, "Certain someone, you probably don't know. He has recently grown a habit of leaving early without giving any heads up."
Aiden raised a brow before nodding. He got her taunt well, but he chose to simply accept it rather than commenting on it.
She then narrowed her gaze at him. "By the way, can I ask you where you went, waking this early in the morning?" She folded her hands over her lap, waiting to hear him answer. She could tell he went out.
Her gaze darted to look at him from head to toe, before settling onto his hand, in which he held a box.
A familiar box of chocolates.
"This …" she asked, not understanding.
Aiden followed her line of sight and then hummed softly. "This is for you."
"For me?" she asked.
And he walked to her and before extending it to her. "Yes, for you."