Love Fades Without a Trace

Aaron was taken aback by Elena's nonchalant tone. After a brief pause, he said hoarsely, "It's okay if you've gotten tired of your regular jewelry—we can buy new ones together someday. But the wedding ring…"

He got on one knee and held Elena's hand. From his pocket, he pulled a familiar blue box and placed it on her palm. "You can change all other jewelry, but the wedding ring is unique. I went all the way to South Phrida to source the gem, and I designed and made the ring myself.

"It represents my love for you. You have to keep it with you at all times. If you don't, I'll give up everything—including my life—and go to the ends of the earth to get it back for you."

His gaze was sincere and tender, and his hand was warm around hers. Everything looked the same as before, but Elena knew better. Both of them had changed on the inside, so there was no way things could be the same.

"Okay." She felt like she had something lodged in her throat. She tried to pull her hand away but failed.

"Darling…" Aaron slowly stood up. Then, he leaned forward to kiss her.

She turned away, feeling discomfited. "It's daytime. Didn't we agree to practice restraint?"

He frowned and missed her lips in that split second. The kiss landed on her cheek.

"I'm sorry for being too forward." He smiled nonchalantly and opened the ring box, revealing an exquisite and lavish pink diamond ring. It was eye-catching and gleamed under the lights. Even if it wasn't worth a fortune, it was still expensive.

Aaron had indeed put his heart into designing and making the ring. It was created when his love for Elena was at its peak. It was too bad his love lasted for such a short time. It also came with lies and betrayal.

Elena's chest tightened. It was as if she'd been stabbed in a spot that had just recovered.

"Be good and take care of it. Don't lose it again." He put the ring back on her finger and tapped her forehead gently. He seemed to have much to say when his gaze met hers but ultimately didn't. Instead, he went back to work after giving her a brief hug.

…

Elena didn't know whether Aaron could sense something was up or whether it was just his guilty conscience acting up, but he returned particularly early that night. He cooked dinner for her and even took a stroll with her after the meal.

Since he was willing to treat her well, she would wholeheartedly accept it. They didn't have much time left together, so she would allow him to do whatever he wanted as long as it didn't involve intimacy.

Of course, she didn't reject him outright. She had the perfect excuse to keep him away.

She told him her sudden stomachache yesterday was a combination of a cold she'd caught from being in the rain and her period, which was coming soon. That was why she'd been in so much pain that she'd needed to go to the hospital.

Aaron had always doted on her, so he wouldn't make things hard for her over something like this. He even drew her a hot bath, hoping it would alleviate her period cramps when they came.

He was careless over certain things yet meticulous over others. He paid attention to details when something mattered to him, so Elena's period came and went without much issue under his tender care.

After resting easy for a week due to her period, Elena started getting anxious, especially when it ended. Aaron had always worn a condom when doing it with her since deciding not to have a child—the only time he allowed himself to go wild was during the few days immediately after her period ended.

In the past, he would've made the most out of these few days. Even if he was away on business trips, he would fly back to spend the night with her before flying off again the following morning.

What was she going to do if he insisted on having his way with her that night? Was it necessary for her to get nasty and reject him?

Elena kept thinking about this as she showered. However, she instantly stopped worrying when she stepped out of the bathroom and saw Aaron holding his phone, looking anxious. Her heart sank.

What was the point of her turmoil? Aaron had Mia now—she was much more willing to go along with him and do what he wanted. Why would he still be interested in a woman who restrained him and stopped him from going wild?

She recalled how he'd tried to go to meet Mia for a midday tryst during his lunch break. He'd already spent so many days by her side while waiting for her period to pass. How could he possibly hold himself back any longer and stay with her?

Sure enough, Elena was right.

As she applied her skincare, Aaron approached her and helped her dry her hair. Once it was dry and combed, he said tentatively, "A friend from university asked me out to discuss a possible collaboration, darling. You remember he left his company to start out on his own, right?"

He wasn't lying. His friend had indeed started his own business, but Aaron wasn't the same man as before. He now had a net worth of millions of dollars, and every move he made could have widespread consequences.

He had to be careful in everything he did, so how could someone from a startup company get him to meet them so easily?

It was clear he was too impatient to even give her a proper excuse. Still, Elena waved a hand without hesitation. "Go on."

"You're the best, darling." Aaron immediately beamed and hurried to pick out a shirt, tie, and suit.

Elena's heart suddenly throbbed painfully when she saw him looking so delighted. Had he cheated on her because of the novelty, or had he just fallen out of love with her?

Was the prospect of seeing Mia so appealing to him? Was it enough for him to cast aside the bond he shared with Elena?

Aaron left the house after changing and washing up. He even spritzed some cologne. Barely five minutes later, Elena's phone pinged.

She'd received a photo of Aaron leaning against the backseat with his shirt open and belt unbuckled. This was followed by a video.

"Have you missed me and the baby after so many days apart, Aaron?" Mia asked.

Aaron answered her with a muffled grunt. That wasn't enough for her. She pressed him for answers.

"Talk to me, Aaron. Have you missed me after so many days apart? Have you missed my body? Have you missed my tricks? Have you missed sticking it in me from the door to the bathroom? Have you missed our baby?

"He's started saying 'Daddy,' you know. Do you want to hear it? Do you want him and me to call you 'Daddy' together?"

Her words set Aaron on fire. He had nowhere to go, so he pressed her head lower. He panted and said, "Yes, I've missed you and our baby. Now, go faster, babe. Faster!"