The Strange Groom's Cursed Bride-Chapter 40: Man in the dreams

She blinked, startled. "You’re going too?"

"My brother is involved. You don’t suppose I stay back, do you?" He said in the same detached tone he usually used.

Her brows drew together. "But... why are you driving me? I can go mys—"

"Get in," he cut in. No elaboration. No warmth. Just the way people in this family seemed to speak—with clipped, sharp edges.

Alice hesitated.

Who the hell did he think he was to talk to her like that?

But she was not in the mood to argue.

She had things ahead. And also need to find a way to convince Hades to let her move into his home. That was if she did this correctly today.

She opened the door to the front seat and climbed in, settling into the cool leather.

The silence between them was taut as Dawin slid in beside her and started the engine. No small talk. Just the low hum of the car rolling forward and the tension of two people bound together by a man neither of them could fully understand.

Alice stared out the window.

Whatever today brought, she had to survive it.

And survive him.

***

Dawin pulled into the driveway without a word, the quiet thrum of the engine dying as he parked. Alice’s heart thudded in her chest.

She didn’t move immediately.

Neither did he.

She was nervous—understandable.

But him? Why wasn’t he moving?

She turned slowly to glance at him—and almost flinched.

He was staring at her.

Intensely.

"W-What?" she asked, trying not to let her anxiety show, trying not to sound as small as she felt in that moment.

"You’re nervous," he said simply, like it was an observation about the weather.

She blinked at him, stunned.

Was Dawin... seriously trying to make small talk with her now?

Of all moments?

Her first instinct was to step out. To remove herself from his space and whatever confusing energy he was exuding. But as she reached for the door handle, his hand moved toward her scarf.

Before she could even react, he tugged it down.

Her heart leapt as she jerked back, shoving his hand away with wide eyes.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" she snapped—sharp, biting.

And unmistakably her. The accent she’d spent years polishing slipped out like a traitor.

He paused.

Something shifted in his eyes. Whether it was the coarseness of her tone or the crack in her mask, she didn’t know—but he noticed. And he wasn’t hiding it.

What had she done?

She couldn’t move. Couldn’t even breathe as she waited for him to say something. Anything.

"Did Hades do that to you?" he asked at last, voice low.

That was... it?

She looked deep into his eyes. She couldn’t read it, so it was hard to tell whether he was concerned or simply curious.

But whichever it was, she owed him no explanation.

Now he cared?

Now, after standing by and letting her get handed over like a signed contract?

After passing her off to his brother with zero protest, when he was the one who was supposed to marry her?

Alice yanked the scarf back into place and glared.

"I don’t know why you’re trying to make small talk with me now, but—"

"Do well today," he interrupted.

Again.

Of course. He couldn’t resist. He was rude.

She clenched her jaw, forcing her anger down like bile, and finally pushed open the door.

But before she could step away fully, another sound rolled into the quiet, stopping right in the entrance of the building ahead of them.

The low, commanding purr of a high-performance engine.

Alice turned.

Another sleek, obsidian car was pulling up behind them, slow and precise. Its surface reflected the overcast sky like polished glass.

Then the back door opened—and he stepped out.

Hades.

He looked carved from shadow and certainty. Dressed entirely in black—fitted dress pants, an open-collared shirt revealing the edge of black ink curling up his neck like smoke. A long coat billowed behind him like a warning. There was no attempt to soften anything. No smile. No illusion of friendliness.

His hair fell messily but elegantly, obeying him like it had no choice.

And his eyes—icy, electric blue—scanned the area with the precision of a sniper.

He was looking every bit like the man of her dreams—I mean— the man she sees in her dreams.

Beside him was Gavin, just as intimidating in a different way. He walked with the thick, quiet presence of a man used to violence. Shirt tucked in, sleeves rolled up to expose forearms covered in black ink—wolves, wings, jagged lines of chaos. He wasn’t visibly armed.

But Alice knew enough to assume the worst.

Security didn’t question them. Of course not. They stepped aside the moment Hades and Gavin approached—like doors blown open by wind.

Then it happened.

Hades glanced toward Dawin’s car.

His eyes found them instantly.

Alice didn’t miss the shift.

No scowl. No surprise. Just a small, deliberate narrowing of his gaze, a brow raised with dangerous calculation.

She’d seen that look before.

It was the same expression he wore when he told her, "People might mistake him for your husband," the day she showed up at his house beside Dawin.

And now here they were again.

Her. With Dawin.

Together.

Arriving... together.

She felt the weight of it settle in her chest. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

She straightened instinctively, adjusted her scarf, pretended to be unbothered. She wasn’t doing anything wrong.

But her heart still betrayed her—fluttering wildly under that cold, unflinching gaze of his.

Hades didn’t speak. Didn’t move.

He just stared.

And the most insane part?

Dawin was staring right back.

Silent. Unapologetic. Like he had nothing to explain.

The air between them crackled. Alice didn’t dare breathe.

Then, as if it were nothing, Hades turned. His coat lifted slightly in the breeze like a final word, and he walked away without a second glance. Gavin fell into step beside him.

It was only then that Alice finally exhaled.

And realized—this was going to be a hell of a day.