Breaking Free, Loving Again -The Flash Marriage with Mr. CEO novel Chapter 494

Only Aiden knew how much her hesitation was killing him.

She was withdrawing from him —and he would give up anything to stop that from happening.

So, when she stopped him from helping her, he didn't insist. He stepped back, ready to give her the space she seemed to need.

But what he didn't realize … was that she wasn't withdrawing from him.

She was retreating from the situation, acting out of fear.

And then —her arms wrapped from behind, making his heart skip a beat.

He froze —not just in place, but in time. Her touch, her hold, stopped everything.

"Did I disappoint you as well?" her voice soft and aching.

The words cut through him. They snapped him out of his stillness, making him realize just how deep her fear ran.

Taking her hands, he turned to face her, looking at her. The tears were no longer just welling in her eyes —they were now rolling down her cheeks, making her look lost … defeated.

"Moon, you can never disappoint me," he said, his voice both gentle and unwavering. "Why did you even think that?"

He cupped her face in his hands, urging her to meet his eyes.

"You didn't disappoint me," he repeated firmly again. "You never would because you are meant to be happiness … my happiness. Always."

Arwen stared at him through fresh tears. She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes, as if grounding herself in his warmth.

"Please never be disappointed in me. Please," she whispered.

"Shh, Moon! I told you —I am not disappointed in you. I never will be. Trust my words, trust me. Will you?" he asked softly, almost pleading.

But she didn't respond.

After a beat, she spoke again —this time in a whisper that was soaked with years of pain.

"All my life, I just wanted to make her happy. I did everything that I thought would make her happy," she said, shaking her head. "But no matter what I did, I was never enough. I gave up my dreams, my passion, even myself —and still, it was never enough for her. Nothing I did was enough to make her proud … or happy."

Aiden felt his heart clench, the weight of her words settling deep in his chest. If he weren't holding her, his fists would have clenched until his knuckles turned white. But with her in his arms, his touch remained gentle —soft and steady, for her.

Arwen pulled away and sat down in the warm water. She dipped her fingers in, staring at the surface as if trying to find something that wasn't there.