Ditched Cheating Alpha, I Led My Daughter to Life's Peak novel Chapter 233

"Aiden?" I pick a pillow up, brushing it against his shoulder. I'd rather him claw that then me. Too bad it isn't working. I sigh, putting it aside. Please don't hurt my arm. Please don't hurt my arm. I reach over and nudge his shoulder. "Hey. Are you alright-"

He jerks, sucking in air.

I wince. His hand tightens around my arm, ice grey eyes darting this way and that.

I'm terrified.

His eyes land on me. Then on my arm. He pulls away, quickly. His eyes connect with mine. We stare at each other for a while. Neither one of us moving. Neither one of us breathing, then he turns around. I hold my arm against my chest. He lays against the bed, trying to breath.

I'm not afraid of him. I'm just afraid. Period.

I want to say something, but I don't know what. The silence feels like it has to be preserved. But I have to break it. "Aiden?" I try again. "Are you awake now? Are you alright?" I move closer. "It's okay." I don't know if I'm talking to him or myself.

He sits up before I get the chance to touch him. "Go to sleep, Mia."

I was supposed to let the alarm wake him up. Why didn't I remember that until now? I rub my forehead. "That's why you wanted me to put it for 3, right?" He didn't want this to happen.

Silence.

He pushes his hair out of his face, staring at the wall across from him. He's got his usual cold demeanor, but he looks out of it somehow. Just a bit. If I hadn't just witnessed the look in his eyes when he woke up, I probably wouldn't've been able to tell that it's still there, somehow.

He tried to leave so many times. I kept asking him to stay. "Can I touch you right now?" I ask. "Would that make it worse?"

"I'm fine," he says firmly.

I nod.

"It was just a nightmare. People have those all the time, you know."

I nod again. "I know."

"It's a thing," he says.

I rest my head against his shoulder from behind. I can feel the heat, and the sweat, coming off his bare back.

He leans over, catching his breath. "Your covers," he starts.

I shake my head. "It doesn't matter." I look down at my arm, hoping that whatever's there doesn't bruise. At least visibly. "Can I ask?"

"No," he says.