[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-393":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},393,45,"Chapter 45: He Called It a Hug","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next second, she froze in her tracks, completely at a loss.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her mind went blank.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell hadn’t fallen at all. He was sitting perfectly fine on the sofa by the window, not in pajamas, but draped in a white bathrobe. The neckline hung wide open, leaving his throat, collarbones, and half his bare chest exposed to the air.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His hair was soaking wet, water still dripping down. A single bead rolled over his collarbone, traced the sturdy curve of his chest, and finally slipped into the abyss of his bathrobe, vanishing against the hard, hidden planes of his abs.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He leaned there, lounging with lazy, effortless grace, one hand propping up his chin. His eyelids were flushed, and as he looked up at her, the outer corners of his eyes glowed with a faint, intoxicating crimson.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He looked every bit the decadent, playboy prince.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna blinked. \"What are you doing? Why aren't you sleeping?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s voice was low, raspy, and thick with fatigue. \"Waiting for you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In that moment, Arianna honestly wondered if Maxwell had been some kind of seductive siren in a past life. He didn't have to do anything—just one glance from those deep, soulful eyes, and she would have followed him anywhere.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her heart hammered against her ribs.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She forced a calm tone. \"Waiting for me for what?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell patted the sofa beside him, his gaze soft and pleading. \"Can you sit and talk with me for a while?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Can’t you sleep?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell nodded with a fluid, drunken rhythm. \"Mhm.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"…Alright.\" Arianna walked over slowly and sat on the far end of the sofa.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell watched the \"Great Divide\" she had created between them in silence. His eyes darkened, and without a shred of subtlety, he made his request. \"Could you sit a little closer?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Arianna, are you afraid of me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She wasn't.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna thought to herself, *I’m afraid of myself. If my brain slips, I might just do something animalistic to you.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She kept her composure, shuffling a few inches toward him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell used the same shampoo and body wash she did. The familiar scent filled the air, and Arianna’s heart slowly settled. She asked quietly, \"What do you want to talk about?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Those stray cats from back in college—whatever happened to them?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"They’re doing great,\" Arianna said, confused by the sudden pivot to felines, but answering honestly. \"People fed them every day. The staff at the cafeteria would feed them, too. They were all round and well-fed.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What about you?\" Maxwell asked. \"Did you go feed them often?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna nodded.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"With who?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna was bewildered. \"With friends, obviously.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell tilted his head, his gaze intense, his voice dropping to a whisper. \"Cameron Hughes?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No.\" Why did he have to bring him up? Arianna replied flatly, \"With friends from the dorm. Not guys.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s brows relaxed instantly, his lips curving into a satisfied, pleased smile.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He gave a soft, content hum.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell was definitely drunk. Add that to the heat of the bathroom, and his mind was clearly floating in a fog. Mentioning that name had instinctively reminded him of the scene at the dinner table that afternoon, and the way Cameron had looked at her with such heat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His expression dimmed in an instant.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He stared at Arianna with that heavy, soulful intensity he usually reserved for something far more precious than a wooden post. \"Arianna, will you ever leave?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna was lost. \"Leave where?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I don't know.\" Maxwell didn't want to bring up that name, and he certainly didn't want to talk about that man in front of her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He locked eyes with her, enunciating every word slowly. \"But you can't leave. You’re my Arianna. You’re my wife.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He was rambling, making no sense at all. She assumed he was just talking nonsense because of the alcohol.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She went along with it, hoping to calm him down. \"I get it, I’m not going anywhere. Besides, where would I—\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before she could finish, Maxwell lunged forward. He pulled her into his arms, his hand cupping the back of her head, and brought his lips down to hers with unerring accuracy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"!!!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She stiffened, her brain buzzing with static. She stared at him, unable to believe what was happening.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell was still kissing her, but he didn't try to go deeper; he just pressed his lips to hers. His eyes were closed, his thick lashes resting against his skin, masking the dark, boundless hunger beneath.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna’s heart rate skyrocketed to its absolute peak.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Skin touched skin. The air between them felt scorching.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She didn't know how much time passed before her sluggish brain finally kicked back into gear. Arianna reached up to push him away, her voice trembling. \"Maxwell.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Their lips were still pressed together. When she spoke, her mouth moved against his, and Maxwell let out a muffled, frustrated sound. He tightened his grip on the back of her head, murmuring against her mouth, \"Be good. Let me hold you a bit longer.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*You call this a hug?* she thought in shock.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Is this really a hug?! Did she misunderstand the definition of such a simple word, or was Maxwell so drunk that he’d lost his mind?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He couldn't even tell the difference between a hug and a kiss?!\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She didn't know how long this \"hug\" lasted before Maxwell finally pulled away. Just before he broke the contact, he pressed firmly against her flushed lips, leaving one final, lingering graze.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His expression softened. His right hand trailed over the skin of her neck, stroking it again and again, light as a feather.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna felt like she was being driven to the brink of insanity.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She lowered her voice, nearly gritting her teeth. \"Maxwell.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Hearing her tone, Maxwell finally froze.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He stood still for a few seconds, as if trying to find his lost grip on reality. Arianna let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, relieved.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But a moment later, Maxwell pulled her back into his arms, burying his face in the crook of her neck.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His voice was barely a whisper, stubborn and desperate. \"You can't leave. You can't ever leave me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna couldn't help but wonder if Maxwell had suffered some kind of childhood trauma.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She had been exactly the same way when she was little.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After her parents divorced and started new lives, neither of them wanted to take her with them. Back then, she would tremble in bed at night, terrified: *What if one day, Grandma decides she doesn't want me anymore, either? Where would I go? I’d be a homeless child.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Whenever she woke up crying from those nightmares, her grandmother would clutch her hand, eyes red, and promise, \"Grandma isn't going anywhere, Arianna. I promise, I will never leave you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">And now, Maxwell was showing the exact same symptoms.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Insecure. Desperately clinging to the fear of loss.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She had always assumed someone like Maxwell—a man born with a silver spoon in his mouth, enjoying a level of wealth most people couldn't earn in a lifetime—couldn't possibly harbor such dark, painful anxieties.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell held her tight, repeating the words in a slow, broken rhythm. \"You’re my Arianna. You can’t leave.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In that instant, Arianna saw her younger self staring back at her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She reached up, slowly and clumsily patting his back, soothing him with a soft, steady voice. \"I’m not leaving.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Don't worry. I won't ever leave you.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272906735]