NOVEL WEB Chapter 562: Be it for past, present or even the future that I have yet to see.
Returning to the Winslow Residence, Arwen had only taken a step inside her room when she was pulled back by her arm.
The sudden strength made her gasp, but before she could register what was happening, her back was pressed against the wall, and she was caged in between Aiden's strong arms.
"You … what are you doing?" she asked in a stutter, confused by his sudden action.
Hadn't they been fine?
Then —
She looked into his eyes only to be paused. His eyes looked so dark, as if they had all the needed intent to drown the entire world into darkness.
Was he angry?
Did something happen?
The entire ride back home was pretty silent. Neither he spoke, nor she did —and it remained like that until they arrived. She didn't think much at that time, but now that she was looking at him, it felt like there was something had happened that upset him.
"What's wrong?" she asked again, reaching up to cup his cheeks, her gaze gentle and reassuring as if telling him to believe her.
Aiden's expression only turned vulnerable. He didn't speak, but his gaze seemed to be conveying volumes.
"Husband, —"
"I am sorry, Moon."
"Huh?" Arwen blinked, not understanding. "Sorry? For what? What are you saying, Aiden?" And it was then she saw the blame flicker in his eyes —a regret.
"I said something that made you upset," he said, and her brows knitted in a frown, looking confused. "I can't take back what I said, nor can I make you forget it. But can we not just stay and live in the present, without caring about the past and future? Without caring about the hypothetical theories."
And it was then, she caught what he was referring about.
She thought he didn't care, but he was actually blaming himself for it.
Her heart warmed immediately. When he had said that back over the call, she had felt wronged. But when seeing him like this, it felt like she was wronged. More than her. Worse than her.
Why did he blame himself? Did he not just say what he truly meant?
She had her suspicions about it … more than ever.
But for now, that was not important.
Staring at him, she adjusted her hand on his cheek, moving it at an angle so that their gazes met. "Look at me," she said, her voice tender. "I might be upset, but believe me, it wasn't you who made me upset. Something did, but not you. So, don't blame yourself."
She didn't lie. Although she had gotten upset after he said that he would let go, she wasn't upset with him. She was mad at herself that she couldn't secure her relationship enough to make him unable to let go of her, regardless of the situation.
"As for staying and living with you in the present," her lips curled up subtly, "Husband, trust me, I can't wish to be anywhere else but beside you —be it for past, present or even the future that I have yet to see."
Aiden gazed at her, studying her eyes as if verifying her words. And she didn't interrupt him. When her words did seem to be enough to calm him, she decided to give him what would definitely make him believe it.
Rising on her tip-toes, she pressed her lips against his, pecking him the assurance that he was desperately seeking.
***
Meanwhile, back at Quinn's Villa —
After waiting for a good while, Catrin finally received the call from her secretary, Lia.
While Lia updated her with the details, Catrin's brows only knitted deeper.
"You said it was on the 29th?" she asked to confirm, remembering it was the day Arwen was supposed to get the certificate with Ryan.
She got the Sky Luze mall transferred to her name on the same day. Was this just a coincidence?
"Who transferred it to her name?" she asked, suspicious of it.
"Ma'am, we aren't sure. I wasn't able to track it down. All that I was able to find out was that the property has been under Ms. Arwen's name since then. As for how it happened, the traces are too private to detect."
The line went silent for a moment. Just when Catrin would have disconnected the line out of frustration, she heard Lia speak again.
"And yes, ma'am," she started as if remembering aa detail that she almost forgot to tell. "There is another thing. The transfer deed has been notarised by Mr. Lambert, the magistrate at the Civil Affairs Bureau."
"The Magistrate of Civil Affairs Bureau?" Catrin echoed suddenly, piecing the two and two together.
The only situation the Magistrate of the Civil Affairs Bureau would act as a notary is when the property is being transferred under marriage law.
She didn't need more to hear. Hanging up the call, she had just put her phone down when Emily spoke, "Aunt Catrin, I —"
"You can leave, Emily."
"But Aunt, what if Uncle —"
"You better pray that your Uncle doesn't get a whiff of it," Catrin warned, looking piercingly at her.
Idris had been out on a business trip when she arranged all this. She knew she was taking a risk, but doing all this without his permission, but she didn't think it would be wrong.
Although Idris has disapproved of her idea, as long as Arwen returns, he wouldn't mind it. She was sure she would coax him into understanding her plan. After all, she was doing all this to get their daughter back.
Emily flinched. "Aunt, I am —"
"I asked you to leave straight away, Emily. Don't make me repeat." The edge was very clear in her tone.
Emily didn't trigger her more. Turning, at once she left.
Behind her, Catrin only gritted, realizing the major drawback she had for which she lost Arwen.
It was not Arwen's rebellious nature that had resurfaced again, but the man —Aiden Winslow.
If not for him, Arwen would have long returned home. No doubt she didn't.