Breaking Free, Loving Again -The Flash Marriage with Mr. CEO novel Chapter 525

Arwen hadn't informed anyone that she would be coming.

She wanted to surprise Aiden.

There was something strangely satisfying in the idea —of showing up unannounced, catching him off-guard, and then seeing a rare smile of delight on his face.

A small smile played on her lips at the thought as she pushed open the door.

But the moment she stepped inside, that smile froze.

Her brows furrowed at the sight of Ryan standing there, but her gaze quickly shifted —fixing on his hand, which was tightly gripping Aiden's collar.

She wasn't sure what was happening there, but seeing Ryan's hand on Aiden was enough to push her off the edge.

Without a second thought, she charged forward and yanked Ryan away, her movement swift and furious.

And then —without hesitation —she raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face.

The sharp sound echoed through the room, deafening everything.

Ryan hadn't expected it. He stumbled back a step, stunned.

"Arwen, I—"

"How dare you?" Not giving him any chance, she spat, her voice cold and cutting.

He blinked, dazed by both the slap and her anger.

"How dare you lay a hand on him?" she repeated, stepping between them protectively. "What gave you the courage? Had I not warned you enough?"

Ryan looked at her, searching for words, but none came. He was too shocked to gather his thoughts. His eyes were simply fixed on Arwen, urging her to understand him … even if it was for once.

Her breathing was heavy, her body trembling slightly from the surge of emotions coursing through her —rage, and something else that she couldn't name.

She turned toward Aiden then, her eyes softening as she took in the disheveled state of his shirt and the storm still lingering in his gaze.

One look in those eyes, and she could tell there had happened something that made him furious.

He didn't look calm; rather, something had happened that had rattled him.

Her hand rose almost instinctively. He cupped his cheek, her thumb brushing gently over his skin in a quiet effort to soothe whatever had lit the fire inside him.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly, her brows knitting in concern. "Did he do something to you? Did he say something to irritate you?"

Aiden wasn't calm —not even close. But the sight of her, this worried, this close, this furious on his behalf, anchored him in place.

He couldn't let her worry deepen.

"No," he said, his voice rough, but steady. "He didn't hurt me. He doesn't have that capability to begin with."

His gaze shifted to Ryan, fury tightening his brows. "He just tried to claim something that was never his."

Ryan's fingers clenched tightly at that. His jaw ticked as he glowered, ready to retort.