When the Ice Refused to Melt Chapter 02

When the Ice Refused to Melt Chapter 02

Two years ago, she and Kael were in love, ready to get married.

Then she was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder, one that could only be treated with a highly specialized and insanely expensive imported drug.

And in all of Valleria, the only person who had access to it… was my father.

Kael went to beg him for the medicine.

My father gave him a condition: agree to marry me and have a child with me, and the medicine would be his.

When I heard the truth, it felt like a lightning strike straight through my body.

No wonder he was so intense in bed after we got married. Relentless, night after night…

The humiliation and heartbreak tore me apart.

I turned around and stormed into the Wynter estate.

My father looked startled to see me. I got straight to the point.

“Did you force Kael to marry me with the medicine?”

He smirked like it was no big deal. “So what if I did? I did it for your own good. Kael’s smart, capable, with a bright future. You have any idea how many—”

“Ah!”

I slammed my hands down and flipped the table over. My eyes were bloodshot.

“I’m giving you two options. One, hand over the medicine to Kael. Two, use every single one of your contacts and get me divorced from him, fast.”

“If you don’t, I’ll blow this place up. Let’s all go down together.”

Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked away.

I didn’t go back to Kael’s house. I headed straight for a dance club I used to hang out at.

I spent three days there, drinking, dancing, trying to numb myself. But the more I tried, the emptier and colder I felt inside.

That’s when a drunk guy blocked my way.

“Hey, gorgeous. You here alone? Why don’t you come dance with me, huh?”

My mood was already on edge. I was about to lose it.

Then came the sickening crunch of bones breaking, followed by the man’s bloodcurdling scream.

I looked up, and saw that cold, familiar face.

Kael.

“Get lost. If I see you touch her again, you’re losing both your hands.”

The guy scrambled away like a rat. But I didn’t feel the least bit happy.

“What are you doing here?” I asked coldly.

Kael frowned slightly. “I was out on a sudden mission the last few days. I came back and heard you’ve been partying here for three straight days. Enough is enough. Come home.”

A mission?

It felt like a needle stabbed right into my heart.

Was it the same mission where he got stabbed, for his beloved?

I didn’t call him out on it. I turned my face away and said flatly, “I’m not going back.”

Then I tried to leave. But Kael grabbed my wrist and, without warning, swept me up into his arms.

“Kael! What the hell are you doing? Put me down!”

I kicked and struggled, furious.

He ignored me, carrying me through the darkened corner of the club.

“Arden…” he whispered, breath heavy, voice low. “Do you know how many days it’s been since we last did it?”

“If you won’t go home… then let’s do it here…”

“No! I said no! Kael, if you touch me today, I’ll hate you for the rest of my life!”

I was shaking with a mix of anger, shame, and heartbreak.

“Don’t be scared… it’s dark here. No one can see…”

He gave me no room to resist, pressing in forcefully.

The dry, tearing pain made my entire body tense, and I let out a stifled cry.

“Bear with it…” Kael’s voice was low, strained with desire. “If you can’t even handle this pain, how are you going to give birth later? Hmm?”

“Give birth…”

Those two words stabbed straight into my heart like a poisoned blade.

I lifted my head and said clearly, one word at a time, “Kael, what if I told you… my mom died giving birth to her second child? Massive blood loss. That’s why I don’t want kids.”

Kael froze completely.

“Arden, I’ll promise you anything, except this. No negotiation.”

“With me here, you’ll be fine.”

His words sounded so loving, so gentle. But to me, they cut like razors.

He couldn’t see my pain, my fear, my desperation. All he cared about was keeping Serene safe.

Just then, a sharp scream broke out beside us.