Revenge In Repose (Valerie and Aiden) novel Chapter 11

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22:09 Tue, 27 May U

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

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Valerie thought she could quietly have the baby and live out her days in peace. But who would’ve guessed–Juliette, now officially acknowledged by her birth family and living the life of a wealthy heiress, suddenly showed up at the old apartment building where she lived… and shoved her down the stairs. Two lives ended in an instant.

“You’re shaking.” Aiden’s voice was low and cool, heavy with a cold edge. He leaned in on purpose, his strong arms pinning her in place as he murmured, “Your little boyfriend looks pretty heartbroken.”

Valerie opened her eyes and caught the malice in his tone right away. Her pale lips trembled slightly, but she met his gaze head–on, defiant. For a split second, hatred flashed through her eyes. “He’s not my boyfriend,” she said, clearly and firmly.

Aiden caught that flicker of emotion in her eyes–and his anger flared. Gripping her chin tightly, he gave a cold, mocking smile. “Not your boyfriend?”

Her amber eyes were clouded with a light mist, the clarity in them flickering. Still, she forced herself to stay calm. As she pushed herself away from him, she said again, louder this time, “He’s not!”

Aiden chuckled coldly. Without warning, he pulled a thick stack of photos from a folder and flung them at her. “Then what do you call this?”

In the crisp, high–resolution photos, her face was front and center.

And behind her, in every single shot, stood Nelson. That ever–gentle, refined smile on his face, his eyes always fixed on her–full of affection, soft and lingering.

It felt like a knife had been driven straight into Valerie’s chest. Scenes from the past surged into her mind, each one sharper than the last. Her heart clenched painfully.

She didn’t know if it was the fear of her first love being discovered by Aiden–or the lingering feelings she still had for Nelson. In her previous life… this moment had never happened.

“What’s the matter?” Aiden forced her chin up again, not giving her a chance to look away.

His rough fingers brushed against her soft skin. His voice was like a death knell, inching closer and closer, “Nothing to say now?”

Valerie met his eyes, a bitter smile curling at her lips. “And what about Arianna? She follows you from the office straight to your house. To your family, she’s more like your wife than I am. How do you explain that?”

Aiden hadn’t expected the usually silent, obedient Valerie to talk back like this. He was momentarily stunned. Then his already icy expression turned even harder, eyes narrowing as he said coldly, “So, you’re done playing the innocent now?”

“Why should I pretend?” Valerie lifted her chin higher, her voice trembling but resolute. She continued, “I admit it–he was my ex. But since marrying you, I haven’t seen him once. You, on the other hand, seem very close with Arianna. If anyone should feel guilty or do some explaining, it’s you.”

Aiden let out a laugh, one filled with fury. “Me? Explain myself to you? What makes you think you even have that right?” His words hit like a slap.

Right. She had no right. She was nothing more than someone he had taken in out of pity.

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she forced them back. Lifting her head, she shot back louder than before, “Then what gives you the right to interrogate me? If you really wanted to know, you could’ve dug up every detail about my past already. Yes, I had history with him. So what? Don’t act like you don’t have a past of your own!”

Phillip sat stiffly in the front seat, heart pounding. He’d been with Aiden for seven or eight years now, and sure enough, he’d never seen Aiden have any sort of past.

He sneaked a cautious glance in the rearview mirror–and just as expected, Aiden’s face was dark, grim, and ice–cold. It was downright terrifying to look

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But seeing that stormy expression, Valerie felt an unexpected sense of satisfaction. It was as if two lifetimes of pent–up frustration had finally found release. She kept going, her voice sharp and unrelenting. “Then again, someone like you probably never had anyone brave enough to get close, huh?

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22:09 Tue, 27 May

Chapter 11

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You’re selfish, controlling, cold to the core. Other than the people who grovel for your power and money, do you really think anyone would care about you for real?”

Her words spilled out faster, louder, her tone cutting. “You don’t even know what sincerity looks like. All you do is suspect people, question their motives, try to control everything. Who could give their heart to someone like that? No–you’re not even human. You’re a heartless monster.”

Aiden’s face turned to stone, his jaw grinding with tension. “Valerie!” The word hit like a cold blade.

It was only then that she realized what she’d just said. As she stared at that terrifying expression, her stomach dropped. She instinctively shrank back, wishing she could swallow her words–and her tongue–whole.

She thought, ‘Telling the truth feels good… until you realize you’ve just walked into your own funeral.‘

As she desperately searched for a way to fix it, she caught a glimpse of his hand rising–and her heart stopped.

She yelped, throwing her arms over her head to shield herself. She thought, ‘Is he actually going to hit me? He never has before–not in this life, not in the last–but maybe this time I have really crossed the line…‘

Aiden froze, his hand suspended midair. He forced himself to stop, took a deep breath, and growled through gritted teeth, “Pull over.”

Phillip felt a chill crawl up his spine. He quickly steered the car to the side of the road.

“Get out,” Aiden snapped, the words practically hissed through clenched teeth.

Valerie flinched. She didn’t dare say a word. She opened the door and scrambled out.

They were in the middle of nowhere. With Christmas just around the corner, the weather was bitterly cold.