All Chapters of RAGING FLAME: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

The reception was in full swing. The air buzzed with the excitement of friends, family, and well-wishers who surrounded Amira and me, handing over gifts and offering congratulations. I watched as Amira was embraced by all her close friends, their words of support and love echoing in the large venue that had been so meticulously decorated. Her smile was radiant, lighting up the room, but I could see the subtle shift in her mood when Mia, one of her closest friends, mentioned that Ryan couldn’t make it to the wedding.She tried to hide it, but I knew her well enough to see the hint of sadness in her eyes. Her lips still curved in a smile as she nodded and listened to her friends, but the brief shadow that passed over her expression was unmistakable. A flare of frustration shot through me. Why did she care so much that Ryan wasn’t here? It gnawed at me more than I wanted to admit. I tried to push it away, focusing on the joy of the day, but the irritation lingered in the back of my mind.

The soft light of morning spilled through the curtains as I slowly awakened, my body still warm and comfortable in the sheets. I reached out instinctively, expecting to find Aiden beside me, but the bed was empty. I sat up, blinking away sleep, feeling an unexpected heaviness in my chest. It was a strange feeling to wake up alone after such an eventful night.After taking a moment to gather my thoughts, I pushed the covers aside and slipped out of bed, my feet touching the cool floor. I freshened up in the bathroom, my mind drifting back to the moments we shared last night—the intimacy, the laughter, the warmth of his body next to mine. I tried to shake off the lingering feeling of solitude as I made my way downstairs, the scent of something delicious wafting through the air.As I entered the kitchen, my heart fluttered at the sight of Aiden standing at the stove, flipping pancakes. He wore a simple white T-shirt that hugged his frame just right, making my cheeks heat with a rush of a

As Aiden closed the bedroom door, sealing us inside, the weight of his presence filled the room. His back was turned to me at first, but when he turned around, I saw something dark in his eyes, something unfamiliar and terrifying. “Strip,” he ordered, his voice like ice. I froze, unable to believe what I had just heard. My heart raced as shock coursed through me, but I kept my voice steady. “What?” I asked, barely recognizing the tremor in my own voice. I was shocked, rooted to the spot as the weight of his words sank in. “What?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly, not wanting to believe what I had just heard. “You heard me,” Aiden said, taking a step closer, his eyes narrowing. “Strip.” He stepped closer, his gaze hard, filled with a venomous anger I hadn’t seen before. Aiden’s face twisted into a sneer, and he let out a harsh, bitter laugh. “Why? Why is it so hard for you to do this for your husband? Is it because you only spread your legs for strangers now?” Anger surg

The next morning, I woke up to the soft rustling of clothes. Blinking against the morning light, I saw Aiden standing in front of the mirror, buttoning his shirt. His movements were precise, like he was trying to maintain control, even over the smallest details of his life. He didn't turn to look at me, but through the reflection in the mirror, I saw his eyes catch mine as soon as I stirred.For a moment, neither of us said a word. He continued to fix his collar, his expression neutral, but I could feel the tension in the room. He saw me. He saw the pain in my movements as I slowly tried to sit up, my body still aching from yesterday’s injuries. Every muscle protested, every bruise screamed, but I gritted my teeth and pushed myself off the bed.As I made my way toward the bathroom, I could feel his gaze following me, watching every agonizing step. I reached the doorway, my legs shaking beneath me, when suddenly I felt my balance give way. My foot slipped, and I gasped, bracing myself

I sat there in the same position, hugging myself tightly on the cold floor, my back leaning against the wall behind me. My body ached with every breath, each bruise a painful reminder of Aiden’s fury. I had dressed in the most comfortable clothes I could find, covering the marks he had left on my skin. The bruises, though fading, still screamed of the violence I had endured. But outwardly, I forced a smile. A smile that had become more of a mask, hiding the torment inside.With that mask firmly in place, I made my way downstairs, pretending like everything was normal. Mrs. Wolf, Aiden’s mother, was already in the kitchen when I arrived, and her eyes widened with worry as she looked me over. She knew. Somehow, she always knew.“Amira, dear,” she whispered, her voice thick with concern as she rushed toward me. She wrapped me in a gentle hug, her arms tender and warm compared to the harshness I had grown used to. “What Aiden did… it was wrong. He… he shouldn’t have hurt you like that.”I