The event unfolded in barely a fraction of a second, but Chelsea wasn't entirely unable to evade it.

Before she could react, a large hand swept her away, and she found herself tumbling backward, her nose crashing painfully against a solid chest. The sudden impact left her eyes watering, the sting nearly bringing tears to her eyes.

Altsin, in his urgency, hadn't restrained his strength, pulling Chelsea forcefully into his embrace. Her face pressed against his chest, she could distinctly hear his heartbeat thundering in her ears—thud! thud! thud!

The sensation was unfamiliar.

For a moment, Chelsea was bewildered.

She had been married to this man for three years, and...