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

"Wife?" Selene scoffed, with an expression twisted in ridiculousness. "Are you even in your sane mind? What are you talking about?" she laughed, shaking her head as if she had just heard the biggest joke of her life.

"..." Olivia remained silent. She didn't know what more she could say.

No official announcement had been made, true —but what she had heard was no rumour.

Aiden Winslow had personally attended an auction just before his return home —one where he bid to buy a woman's jewellery. That alone was enough to confirm everything.

"Aiden can't marry anyone," Selene said firmly, but her words sounded more like self-reassurance than conviction. "How can he have a wife? He can't."

She turned to look at Olivia, her eyes almost pleading, waiting for her to refute her own statement —to tell her that this was all some twisted misunderstanding.

However, when she saw Olivia simply standing there without speaking a word, her fury rose tenfold.

Without warning, she grabbed a newly placed vase from the dresser and hurled it to the floor.

The maids nearby hadn't expected it. One of them, who had been quietly tidying a corner, cried out in horror as a shard slashed across her cheek.

"Ah–!"

Everyone froze. Olivia's eyes widened in shock as she turned towards the injured maid, who was now trembling, clutching her bleeding face.

The other maids rushed to her, mumbling the soft words of comfort. Yet, not one of them dared raise their voice at Selene. They didn't even lift their eyes. They simply crouched around the main, comforting her in silence, their sympathy restrained by fear.

The housekeeper stormed in moments later. When she saw the injured girl, her expression faltered —but only briefly. She quickly composed herself and said, "It's just a little injury. There is no need to crowd around. Go finish the other tasks. Clean this room later."

Then she looked at the injured maid and gestured for her to leave as well. "You, go get yourself treated and then leave the house. The Martin family will compensate you and will not hold you responsible."

No one objected. No one questioned. This wasn't anything new in the Martin house. The maids had long adapted to this cruel silence.

As the group dispersed, Selene simply stood there, unapologetic.

"Who did he marry?" she asked coldly, her voice edged with venom.

Olivia's gaze shifted back to her. She swallowed and then shook her head. "We don't know, ma'am. His marriage hasn't been made official. But people are certain —he has a wife back home. And she is the reason he chose to move the company's base to Cralens."

Selene's fingers curled into fists. "No woman could have that kind of effect on him," she insisted, trying to sound sure of herself.

But once again, it sounded more like a desperate whisper —an illusion she needed to believe in just to breathe.

Yet, for some reason, today, this illusion didn't seem to be enough.

The self-assurance no longer felt enough.

She needed something more. So, she reached for her phone instead.

Olivia didn't understand what she was up to, but the moment she saw Selene dialling a number, realization dawned. She would have stopped her —if she weren't too stunned to react.

The phone rang, and the rings came through the speaker. One … two … three … four —before it was answered.

"Hello," came Aiden's deep, magnetic voice from the other end of the call.

And Olivia watched Selene's expression shift completely. Her eyes lit up, her features softening with a bashful delight.

"Aiden, you picked up! I almost thought you would miss my call."

"I still had a few minutes left. Tell me —was there something?" he asked. His tone lacked his usual indifference, carrying a subtle warmth. It sounded like he recognized the bond between them.

And that was enough for Selene.

After all, she had always been the one closest to him. There was no one else. There could be no one else.

Confidence once again took root in her heart, and a satisfied smile curled her lips.

"I heard that you were in New York. I just got back a night before and was wondering if we could catch up sometime. It's been a while, and … I miss you."

There was a pause.

But it didn't last long. Aiden responded shortly after.

"I will make arrangements the next time I come back. Right now, I have to return, Selene."

Her fingers clenched slightly, but her demure smile stayed on her face,

"Oh … You are leaving again. I understand. We will find another time."

Aiden hummed on the call. "If —"

He was about to end the call, but Selene quickly cut in, her voice tinged with urgency.

"Aiden," she said, sounding deliberately hesitant, "actually … there is something I wanted to ask you. Or more like … request you."

"What is it?" he asked.

Selene smiled to herself, as if reassured by something only she knew.

She paused, framing her words carefully. "It's nothing big, really. But somehow, I still feel like it's wrong for me to ask."

"Selene," Aiden interrupted gently. "I told you before —if there is anything you want, and it's within my power, I will give it to you. You don't need to hesitate."

Selene beamed.

This was exactly what she wanted to hear. She needed that reassurance. She wanted to hear him say that there was still a part of him that belonged to her and would always do. She wanted him to deny the existence of any other woman in his life.

And the fact that he still remembered his promise to her … it was enough.

Finally able to breathe, she said, "I know. And that's why I am asking you now, Aiden. I am really happy that even after all these years, you still treat me the same." Her voice grew softer. "I heard you were the one who bought that necklace yesterday. I wanted to ask … would it be alright if you gave it to me?"