Breaking Free, Loving Again -The Flash Marriage with Mr. CEO-Chapter 496: Non-negotiable.

Aiden paused at her question —it caught him off guard.

Not because of hesitation, but because … something about the question felt off. Like she was having something else on her mind when she asked him.

He didn't answer immediately.

And when she turned to look at him, her gaze open and waiting, he saw it —the vulnerability behind her words. The quiet hope.

Finding her staring at him, he asked softly, as if confirming, "You want to have kids?"

Arwen gave a small, warm nod.

"Yes … I want to have one. To see what parenting feels like. I know it must be tough, but —"

Before she could explain further, Aiden stopped her with the words she didn't know she needed.

"You aren't going to be like her."

She blinked at him, slightly surprised. Although it wasn't his first time. He had read her perfectly —again. Even when she didn't say it out loud.

Her head tilted slightly as she studied him, heart thudding in her chest.

Aiden gave her a reassuring smile, then gently urged her to lie down on the bed.

Once she was settled comfortably, he slipped in beside her, pulling her close. He held her against his chest, her face resting over his heart. His arms wrapped securely around her —not too tight, but enough to make her feel safe.

They stayed that way for a while —wrapped in warmth, in quiet, in each other.

Arwen listened to his heartbeat, which strangely calmed every storm inside her.

"I fear that I might not have learnt to be a good mother since I never knew one closely. What if I do something that my child ends me resenting?"

Aiden's fingers moved in her hair, caressing her gently. "You would be a wonderful mother, Moon. You have so much love in you. So much tenderness and strength. You will give our child what you never received."

"You really think so?" she asked, her fingers curled into the fabric of his t-shirt, clutching it lightly.

Aiden noted her anxiety. "I don't think so miled before pressing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I don't think, I know," he said, kissing the top of her head. "For my kids, no one would be a better mother than you."

Arwen's lips curled up in a smile, and she blushed.

Parenting was a big responsibility. And especially when you come from a family where you have witnessed failed parents.

Arwen didn't want to become another example. If she becomes a mother tomorrow, she wants to raise her kid with all the needed love and affection.

"Husband, you need to give our kid the priority that he or she will need," she said, suddenly looking up at him. "You can't just ignore him or her for anyone. Not even for me."

Aiden paused at her words.

"What?" she asked him when he didn't respond. "Say something. You would make him your priority, right?" fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

He stared at her before shaking his head at her. "He will always come after you, Moon. To me, my wife would always be my first priority."

Arwen's brows tugged into a frown, and she quickly pushed away a little to distance herself from him. "No," she said, shaking her head at him, her gaze full of adamance. "You can't simply prioritize me over our kid. He needs your equal support and care. If you—"

"Shh …" his finger pressed against her lips. Arwen's brows remained creased, but she didn't speak. Her breath wasn't rough, but it wasn't calm either. She looked a little nervous within.

And Aiden could see it in her eyes.

However, still holding his stance firm, he repeated, "You being above all is non-negotiable to me, Moon." he paused, continuing right after a beat of a second. "But that doesn't mean I will treat our kid unfairly. He would still have my love and care."

"What if that's not enough?"

Arwen knew her father didn't mean to treat her unfairly, but he still did. She didn't want their kid to go through the same pain.

Aiden cupped her cheek, shaking his head while his gaze beamed with confidence. "We won't repeat anything, Moon. I can still be a good father while keeping you as my priority. Can you trust me on that?"

She hesitated, but when she saw into his eyes, she couldn't help but believe.

The way he put it —it felt like to keep her above everything was not just his priority, but a vow that he couldn't bear and dare to break.

But why?

Their relationship wasn't that deep to treat her like that.

"Now, stop thinking about all that." His voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "Come here and sleep. It's late, and you have had a rough night."

Arwen nodded, scooting back into his arms.

He held her, and the night deepened slowly.

***

Meanwhile, in New York:

Selene's expression darkened when she heard Olivia. Turning around, she grabbed the jug on the slide and hurled it at her feet, making her almost jump.

The glass crashed on the floor, shattering in countless pieces.

"What do you mean that I can't leave right now? Didn't I ask you to cancel all my schedule?"

Olivia took a step back, fear evident in her gaze. "Ma'am, we have cancelled almost all of your appointments and shows. But there are a few that we cannot simply cancel. You have signed the contracts with them, and if we refuse to appear at the last moment, we would have to pay the severe penalties, and it will even affect your career in the worst way."

"Do you think I care?" Selene snapped, sharp, biting. "If it's the penalty, pay them off and cancel. I won't repeat myself again, Oliv."

Olivia felt herself in a difficult position. "Ma'am, I will talk to Eric once again." With that, she turned and left the room to make a call.

Another man stepped in right after she exited.

Selene glanced at him and asked, "Did you find something?"