Breaking Free, Loving Again -The Flash Marriage with Mr. CEO - Chapter 708

Chapter 708: It’s not an ‘as if’.

Arwen stared at Aiden. His fury was still clear in his eyes. She didn’t say anything; she just looked.

If she wasn’t wrong, then he had been at the hospital, around her, since the entire night. Yet he never showed himself, but remained in the shadows, guarding her … secretly.

And the moment she needed him, he was there. How does he do it every time… so swiftly … so efficiently … so naturally, as though he were meant to be her guardian? For not once, twice … but for eternity.

Eternity was too long of a promise, she knew. But his presence has always made her feel so. She couldn’t help it.

“Ahem! Ahem!” Idris cleared his throat in a deliberate attempt to draw the attention that was clearly not on him.

The sound startled Arwen; she blinked and turned, her brows furrowing in worry. But when she saw the smile of anticipation tugging faintly at her father’s lips, she realized there was nothing to be anxious about.

“Princess, you still haven’t introduced us formally.” Idris reminded gently, his voice laced with a hint of mischief, despite his weak state.

Arwen’s gaze briefly flicked to Aiden before returning back to her father. “I didn’t get the chance before. And now …” she hesitated, her eyes wandering to the plain ICU walls. “I don’t think it’s a very favourable situation.”

Idris smiled knowingly. “Well … Indians say: there is no better time than ‘now’, and no better place than where you are standing in that moment. So, I don’t mind getting introduced to my son-in-law in this hospital room while lying on this bed.” His hand gently patted the bed.

Arwen’s lips parted slightly, and a soft blush crept up her cheeks. She cast Aiden a quick look, only to find him standing tall and composed. There was a little hesitation in his gaze, which she knew from where it was stemming from.

Aiden glanced her way, his gaze carrying guilt. He expected her to snap and refuse to introduce him after what she saw. But instead, he felt her fingers intertwining with his.

“Come with me,” she murmured almost under her breath before tugging him gently closer to the bed.

He watched her, letting her take him wherever, however she wanted.

“Dad,” she slowly began, “meet Aiden, my husband. It all started with a simple signature, but with time …” she paused to flick another gaze at him. “It became something deeper and more reliable.”

Aiden stared at her. Even though her words were clear, he still failed to see through them. The fear, the guilt in him were just blurring it for him. He couldn’t be sure if she was speaking it all from her heart or just trying to put on a show for her father to ease his worries.

“Aiden!” Idris called his name softly, his expression softening along with his tone. “Since Arwen chose you over everything so confidently, I can’t bring myself to doubt you. It’s nice to meet you, finally.”

Aiden gave a small nod of respect. “Pleasure is all mine, sir.”

“Call me, Dad,” Idris corrected him, flicking his gaze to Arwen, “Just as Arwen does. Don’t be formal.”

Aiden glanced at Arwen. When she nodded to him, he turned to Idris and affirmed softly. “Yes, Dad.”

“Great!” Idris smiled, his gaze darting to look at his daughter. He knew he hadn’t redeemed himself yet. But right now, having Arwen back to his side, he knew he had gotten the chance for which he would have staked his all.

Arwen thought for a moment, her brows furrowing again. “Dad,” she spoke slowly, her voice carrying her hesitation. “Are you serious about divorce?”

Idris’s expression hardened. He moved his gaze away from her and then stared at the empty wall, humming. “I have decided it and already signed the papers. We are just waiting for her to sign. The day she signs, we will separate.”

“But, Dad —”

“You don’t have to blame yourself for it, dear,” he reassured her, knowing well the thoughts that might be stirring in her mind. “Nothing of this is happening because of you. It’s just that I have indulged Catrin so much that I have wronged everyone else. I wouldn’t have minded if it had just been the outsiders. But I have unknowingly harmed you as well.”

He glanced back at her and gave her a weak smile. “It’s time for me to make the right decision, and this divorce is one.”

Arwen couldn’t bring herself to say anything more. Since her father had already decided, there was nothing she could do to change his mind.

Nodding, she accepted it and then checked the time. “There are a few things that I need to check with the doctor. I will be back soon.”

Idris nodded.

She turned to Aiden, her gaze pausing on him. He stared at her back, but just when he would have spoken to her, she did. Her voice was low and subtle. “Stay with him until I am back.”

Aiden nodded to her. She nodded back and then, giving a last small glance, she left.

His gaze remained watching her way even after the door closed and she was no longer in sight.

“I like how you protected her earlier.” Idris’s voice made him turn. “Always protect her like this.”

Aiden stared at him, his demeanour returning to his usual, no longer carrying the hesitation he was carrying around Arwen. “Protecting her is my duty. I would do it regardless.”

Idris smiled and nodded. “I can tell that the way you looked at her the entire time. It was as if she were your whole world.”

“It’s not an ‘as if’,” Arwen said swiftly. “She is my entire world.”

Idris stared at him for a long moment, as though reading something in those deep eyes. He didn’t speak any further; he just stared. He couldn’t shake away the sense of familiarity he was feeling from that face.

“Have we met before today?” he asked.