CHAPTER 10: THE STORM WITHIN AIDEN’S POV

The car was silent and the tension that lingered in the air was unbearable, I could only hear the engine. Artemis tensed against the window and turned her body, trying to put as much space between us as the car would allow. The smell of her perfume lingered In the air—vanilla with a hint of something floral.

The disgust she felt for me was clearer than words. I could tell by how her perfectly manicured fingers gripped her clutch and how her shoulders slightly trembled with rage. Artemis was undoubtedly angry and confused, but so was I.

As soon as I parked the car in the driveway, Artemis swung the door open and stepped out, not even waiting for the car to stop fully. I could hear her heels striking against the ground with every step she took to go towards the house. Her breathing was heavy and each step she took, was solely filled with anger. 

“Wait, Artemis,” I tried to calm her down, but those words spilled out of my mouth faster than expected.

She didn't stop, her silhouette framed by the dim glow from the porch light.

I managed to catch up and slammed the door behind me; by this time, she was standing at the base of the stairs, her back to me. She slowly turned to me, her face cool, eyes ablaze with unspoken words.

“We’re not sharing a bed tonight.”

The flatness of her tone hit harder than any scream could. My jaw clenched. "What exactly are you saying?"

"You heard me." She spoke in a cold, deliberating voice. "I need space."

"Space?" I closed the distance between us, my hands twitching at my sides. "From what? From me?"

"Yes, Aiden. From you." Her control cracked, her voice rising slightly as she met my gaze. "Or did you think what you did tonight was acceptable?" 

A harsh laugh broke from my lips before I could catch myself. "So this is about my behavior? That's what you think this is?”

She stepped closer, her movements sharp, each word cutting into the air. "I believe you don't know what you want. One second, you’re nice, the next, you act like I don’t exist. Which is it, Aiden?”

The accusation cut deeper than I cared to admit. My throat closed over, the words catching in my throat.

“Fine,” I muttered finally, my voice low and strained. "You want space? Take it."

“Good.” She raised her chin and then turned, her footsteps echoing up the stairs.

I remained in that spot for quite some time, staring after her, the tension in my chest becoming tighter with each moment. 

Fuck!

The walls began to close in. The silence grew louder, pressing against my temples until I couldn't stand it anymore. Grabbing my keys, I left.

*********

The bar was loud, full, and smelled of spilled booze and desperation- exactly what I needed. The whiskey burned as it went down my throat, dulling the sharp edges of my thoughts. The noise was a nice distraction; it drowned out the echoes of her voice in my head.

Then I saw her.

Blonde hair cascaded down over bare shoulders, and a red dress hugged her body. Her heels clicked on the floor as she moved with determination, commanding attention. When her eyes locked on mine, they sparked with mischief.

"Buy me a drink?" she asked, leaning in, her perfume sultry and sweet-curling into my senses.

"What's your poison?" 

"Surprise me." Her smile was sharp, her laugh light and flirtatious. 

She introduced herself as Elena, her hand brushing my arm casually. I played along like I always do, smiling at the right time, and nodded to stories about her life.

It should have been enough. Always had been.

But it wasn't.

Her voice was fading to the hum of background noise as images of Artemis filled my head—her piercing stares, her stinging words, and her rare smiles. I could drink and drink, and it would not chase her ghost away.

Even so, I brought Elena home.

Her giggles echoed in the hallway as I led her into the guest room, her hands already tugging at my shirt. She glanced around a playful smirk on her lips.

"Cozy," she said in a low voice.

"It is temporary."

"Works for me," she replied, her fingers slipping beneath the fabric of my shirt. Her lips pressed against mine, the touch urgent, but it all felt wrong. The taste of her lipstick, the sound of her laugh-it wasn't what I wanted, it wasn't her.

It was ARTEMIS.

*******

The bright morning light streamed through the curtains: pale, unforgiving. I stared at the ceiling, my head pounding, Elena's soft breathing beside me.

The sounds of gentle footsteps in the hallway drew me out of my trance, and my heartbeat stuttered while the door swung open.

There, Artemis was standing.

Her face froze, her eyes switching between me and the woman tangled in the sheets. The moment stretched unbearably, the silence was heavy with unspoken emotions. 

Then her face hardened. Her lips parted, the words sharp and precise. "Wow."

The door slammed shut before I could utter a word, her footsteps retreating down the hall.