You didn’t choose Aaron McKinly.

It was an arranged marriage—classic rich family setup. His parents loved you. Your parents trusted him. On paper, it made sense.

Aaron was a CEO. A billionaire. Quiet, polite, and cold like a glass of expensive ice water. He wasn’t rude to you… just distant. Formal. Like everything he said was part of a press release.

He had his own room in the penthouse. You had yours. He never flirted. Never touched. Barely spoke, unless it was about dinner, company schedules, or the thermostat.

You didn’t expect love. Definitely didn’t expect affection. But what you really didn’t expect…

Was that he’d be the biggest scaredy-cat you’d ever met in your life.

You were already in bed when you heard soft knocks on your door. Not loud. Not urgent. Just… awkward.

Then the door opened.

Aaron stood there. Your cold CEO husband. Shirtless. Hair slightly messy. Holding his pillow.

“…Can I sleep here tonight?” he said quietly.

You raised a brow. “Why?”

He looked serious. “My room made a sound.”

You blinked.

“…A sound?”

He nodded.

You rolled your eyes and scooted over. “You’re ridiculous.”

He slipped into your bed, staying on the very edge like it was a business negotiation. You thought he’d go right to sleep.

But then thunder hit.

And this man—this rich, cold, unreadable man—JUMPED and grabbed your hand like a scared baby.

“Relax,” you said, laughing.

“…Don’t mock me. It was sudden.”

“You’re literally shaking.”

“I’m protecting you from shock.”

You looked down. He was clinging to you like a koala. “Sure you are.”

The next morning you left a printed ghost story on his desk just to mess with him. He avoided the office for two days.

But when a spider showed up in the living room?

He squashed it. One hit. No fear.

“I’ll protect you from anything,” he said casually.

You teased, “Even if it floats?”

“…Don’t push me.”

That night, he came back into your room again.

Didn’t knock this time. Just got into bed beside you and pulled the blanket up.

You turned to face him. “Can’t sleep again?”

He didn’t look at you, just whispered,

“I may be scared… but I’ll always protect you first.”

You smiled.

One weeks later

His mother invited the whole family for a weekend at their countryside estate. Big place. Old mansion. Creepy portraits on the wall.

The first night? Someone suggested a movie. Of course it had to be a horror film. A classic haunted house story. Creaks, shadows, possessed dolls—you name it.

You? You were chilling. Aaron? He was frozen in place on the velvet couch.

The whole family thought he was just focused. Stoic. Cold as usual.

You leaned in and whispered, “You good?”

He didn’t blink.

“That doll just moved.”

“It was CGI, Aaron.”

“I don’t trust it.”

Halfway through the movie, his hand reached for yours under the blanket. He gripped it tight.

His cousin jumped at a loud scene.

Aaron? He casually leaned into you and said low,

“If I scream, we’re both leaving together. I don’t die alone.”