Chapter 7 Betrayal

Center Avenue was renowned for its prestigious properties, and my attire today didn't quite match the usual standards of the area. Once I had mentioned my address, there was no taking it back, so I simply nodded in confirmation. "Yes." Shaun appeared to recall something but refrained from asking further. "Sure, I'll send you there." As we drove past Folly Street, he unexpectedly pulled over. I assumed he was stopping for some quick shopping across the street, but to my surprise, he parked in front of a dessert shop. "Come on, I'll take you home after we grab a bite to eat." After my hospital visit and the impending dinner hour, I was feeling quite hungry. However, I hesitated. This particular dessert shop on Folly Street was Aaron's favorite, and I had been avoiding anything associated with him since the incident of last night, even though he wasn't around now. Despite my reluctance, I couldn't refuse Shaun's kind offer. I reluctantly got out of the car and followed him into the dessert shop. The shop assistant greeted us warmly and began explaining the various dessert options available. Watching Doctor Shaun select a croissant in a familiar manner, it was evident that he was a regular customer here. He bore some similarities to Aaron, but there were notable differences. He clearly had a fondness for the desserts offered here, but he overlooked the macarons. I gazed at the macarons for a moment before deciding on a slice of mango crepe cake. I'd had the opportunity to taste their desserts once before. On one occasion, Aaron had bought the dessert on his way home from the office. However, it wasn't for me; it was leftover from Julie. In his eyes, I only merited leftovers, things that no one else wanted. "Do you want this?" Shaun asked the shop assistant to pack the mango crepe cake for me and then pointed at the macarons. "Pack these too and put them in her bag." I was taken aback and quickly waved off the shop assistant. "No need." But Shaun paid the bill right away. "How much is it?" The shop assistant stated the amount, and Shaun settled the bill before bringing the bags to the car. "You didn't have to buy these for me," I said, feeling guilty about the expense. "I noticed you were eyeing the macarons as soon as we walked in. I figured you must like them." It was Aaron who loved macarons. "Thank you." "You're very polite," he said as he started the engine and helped me fasten my seatbelt. "Enjoy them when you get home. Don't let them go to waste." "Can I eat these with my illness?" I asked. He glanced at the traffic ahead and replied, "It seems you haven't been eating properly for a while, and your eating habits are irregular. You should eat whatever you want." Soon, we arrived at the villa. I got out of the car with the paper bag and bid him goodbye. "See you tomorrow." "See you." As the car gradually faded from view, I turned and walked back inside the villa. When I entered the house, I spotted a pair of men's leather shoes. Aaron had returned before me. Was he angry that I wasn't home? I briefly contemplated it but concluded that I was overthinking. He didn't care where I went, so why would he be concerned about my return time? Most likely, he had left early for the office and had encountered Julie there. I didn't find him in the living room on the first floor. Clutching the treatment plan and holding the dessert, I ascended to the second floor. My initial plan was to enter our bedroom, as I usually did. But as my hand reached for the doorknob, a sudden thought struck me: how would I face him if he was inside? It was likely that he would kick me out and send me to the guest room. I decided it would be better to head to the guest room now instead of engaging in a confrontation. I tiptoed into the guest room and softly closed the door behind me. However, as soon as I did, a hand forcefully pushed the door open. Aaron stood there, glaring at me and then at the paper bags I was holding. His expression was furious. "Where were you?" he demanded. He didn't wait for me to respond, or perhaps he didn't need a response. He leaned in and sniffed my neck as though marking his territory. "What's that scent on you?" I sniffed as if just realizing it. There was a faint hint of bergamot fragrance. "Perfume," I replied truthfully, my voice sincere. But he didn't believe me. "Who gave it to you?" "I took a taxi..." "A taxi?" His gaze was predatory, as if I were his prey. "No taxi company would use luxury cars. Tell me the truth." I knew Aaron had an eye for cars, something I lacked. He must have seen me getting out of Shaun's car. "It was a friend." I couldn't bring myself to meet his eyes as I lied. Looking at him would only increase my anxiety. "Which friend?" I didn't have many friends, and Aaron knew that. If he wanted to, he could count them on one hand, and none of them drove luxury cars. "A new friend..." My stammering explanation was frustrating him. "Who's this person who gave you a ride?" He snapped rudely. I stared at him in shock. "What person?" I had kept my distance from Doctor Shaun, and there was nothing untoward about our interactions. Why was Aaron jumping to conclusions? He went into his room and threw a stack of photographs at me. "Look at these." I picked up the scattered photographs from the floor. They showed Shaun and me at the dessert shop, and one of him opening the car door for me. We hadn't done anything inappropriate. He was simply a new friend. "Doctor Shaun is just a friend." "Stop lying to me." He backed me into a corner, leaving me with no escape. "I didn't..." Suddenly, he seized the back of my neck, causing intense pain that made it difficult to breathe. "Let go, Aaron..." "No wonder you acted that way yesterday. So, you've found yourself a new man." When Aaron was angry, I knew it was best to comply as much as possible. "It's not what you think, Aaron..." He refused to listen and forcefully bit my lips. A wolf's fang was a menacing weapon, and even a slight bite could cause my lips to tear. I couldn't even cry out for help. His strength was overpowering, and I nearly lost my breath as he gripped my waist. I had no concept of how much time passed before the punishment temporarily halted. My mouth was filled with the taste of blood, and I could see traces of it on his fangs. It was evident how forcefully he had bitten me. We had never shared a kiss. Lovers often described kissing as sweet, but for me, it was nothing short of devastating. Perhaps it was because we were not truly lovers. He wasn't finished with me yet. With a firm grip on my chin, he whispered harshly into my ear, "You must accept the consequences for betraying me."