Chapter 161

Her words were a jab, but they lacked malice. Still, they stung. Murat stood there silently, watching as she efficiently cleared the kitchen. For the first time, he saw a fiercer side of her, one that was npt afraid to speak her mind.

Once the floor was cleaned, Ayleen retrieved a clean towel, wet it with warm water, and walked back to Murat. His breath hitched when she raised the towel to his face, gently wiping away the remnants of the mess from his hair and skin.

Her fingers worked carefully, her touch soft yet deliberate. Murat’s heart thudded in his chest as he stared at her, his own hands clenching at his sides. Her closeness calmed him, but he could see the way she bit her lips to suppress her emotions.

“I’m sorry,” Murat whispered, his voice hoarse.

Ayleen paused for a brief moment, her expression unreadable, before continuing to clean his face. Once she was done, she tossed the towel aside and turned back to the island without a word, resuming her ta