Chapter 132
Aria’s POV
I paused at Aiden’s question, feeling my heart skip as he studied me across the breakfast table.
“Really?” he asked, methodically wiping his hands with a napkin, his eyes never leaving my face.
The intensity of those two simple words made my hand tremble slightly as I pushed food around my plate. “Yes, really,” I managed, forcing a small laugh that sounded hollow even to my own ears. “You should head to work, Aiden. I just have these days sometimes when my appetite isn’t great p>
He watched me for another long moment, his expression unreadable. “Hmm p>
He didn’t press further, simply rising from his chair. After taking two steps, he stopped and turned back to me—I’d just started to breathe easier.
“Thank you for yesterday afternoon,” he said quietly.
“No need to thank me.” My voice came out softer than intended. If anything, I was the complicated one between us.
Aiden’s gaze lingered on me briefly before he turned and headed upstairs. Minutes later, he came back down with his tie perfectly knotted, ready for work.
“Safe travels,” I called out, waving halfheartedly. He glanced my way with a barely audible “Hmm” before walking out the door. Soon after, I heard the engine of his car roar to life and fade away down the driveway.
I pressed my lips together, turning to head upstairs to the music room. Julian’s concert was next week, and I desperately needed to focus on memorizing all the pieces. I couldn’t exactly bring sheet music on stage for such a major event, could I? How unprofessional would that look?
But my brain refused to cooperate. My eyes stared at the notes, but my mind wandered elsewhere. After messing up for the seventh time, I finally admitted defeat.
It was that damn phrase haunting me “don’t be delusional”—those dream words had too much power over me.
I closed the piano lid and rested my head on it for a moment, the heaviness in my chest refusing to lift. Eventually, I reached for my phone. In times like these, I needed to consult Lillian—perpetually single but somehow an expert on relationships.
Me: [Sending depressed-face emoji]
Lillian, who had just finished her work and was about to slack off, replied
immediately: What’s wrong, sweetie? That emoji doesn’t match someone who
should be basking in newlywed bliss.
I cringed, finding it hard to even type what I was thinking: I’m dealing with something really confusing right now.
Lillian: What’s got you so twisted up? Tell me and I’ll help sort it out!
I started typing about last night’s dream, then deleted it. After hesitating, I went
straight to the point: Lil, do you think I’m Aiden’s type at all?
Lillian figured it out immediately: You’ve fallen for Aiden, haven’t you?
I stared at her message. How did she read me so accurately?
Lillian: It’s totally normal! I wouldn’t be able to resist either! Why stress about having feelings? You two might have a fake marriage, but that certificate is real! As long as you’re not divorced, you’re Mrs. Carter! And Aiden doesn’t seem interested in anyone else, so how do you know he wouldn’t fall for you?
Lillian: Plus, you’re smart, beautiful, talented, and adorable. Maybe Aiden can’t resist either?
Lillian: If you like him, go after him! What’s the big deal? You’re literally living under the same roof-take advantage of this opportunity!
I read through Lillian’s enthusiastic messages with growing dismay:…In my dream last night, Aiden told me not to be delusional.
Lillian: It was just a dream! I frequently dream about winning twenty million in the lottery-has that happened? No!
I couldn’t help but smile at her logic: I guess you have a point.
Lillian: Don’t “guess”! Take action now!
I hesitated again:…I don’t know how to pursue someone.
Although I’d technically pursued Liam before, we’d grown up together, so I’d never really had to work at it.
Almost immediately after sending that message, Lillian bombarded me with links. I clicked through to find a collection of articles: “How to pursue a man,” “How women can successfully chase men,” “Techniques for women pursuing men,” “How to win over a cold, distant man p>
I stared at my phone screen.
This was absolutely ridiculous.
Aria’s POV
I stared at Lillian’s advice on my phone. Calling it ridiculous was putting it mildly, but
I couldn’t deny there was a kernel of truth in there somewhere.
While Lillian meant well, I had more complicated thoughts swirling through my head.
Sure, they say it’s easier for women to pursue men, but in my case? It felt like scaling Mount Everest barefoot.
Let’s not forget how this whole
arrangement started-I basically blackmailed Aiden into marrying me after that car accident. I forced him into this arrangement, and now was developing genuine feelings? If Aiden ever found out td fallen for him, wouldn’t he think I was manipulative and calculating?
I didn’t want to be that person in his eyes. I couldn’t bear it.
If I was going to pursue him properly-if ever-it should at least wait until our contract ended. Yes, that was the right thing to do. Decision made, I firmly packed away all those fluttery feelings into a mental box.
Mrs. Lee called up that lunch was ready, and I cringed realizing I’d wasted an entire morning-three whole hours-doing absolutely nothing but thinking about Aiden. Damn it. Men really do slow you down, don’t they?
After lunch, I skipped my usual nap and headed straight to the music room, practicing piano all afternoon without a break. My fingers were screaming by the time I finished.
When Aiden came home, I was
sitting on the couch massaging my
sore fingers, just like yesterday. But
unlike yesterday, he hadn’t come home early, there wasn’t a
downpour outside, and I definitely. couldn’t maintain my
composure as he walked through the door.
My heart hammered in my chest while I aggressively rubbed my fingers, trying to look casual and failing miserably.
Aiden loosened his tie, eyeing my hands with a raised eyebrow. “Are your fingers misbehaving p>
“Huh?” I looked up, confused, then followed his gaze down to my hands. Realizing I was practically ingers they turned bright red-I felt heat rush to my face. “They’re just sore. This helps… sort of p>
strangling my.oet
It actually didn’t help at all. In fact, it hurt. But I could hardly admit I was manhandling my own fingers because seeing him made me nervous, could I? Aiden sat beside me, casually unfastening the top two buttons of his shirt like he always did. “Does it p>
This time, I glanced at him only briefly before looking away. “Mm-hmm p>
Before I could process what was happening, his hands appeared in my field of vision.
I looked up, bewildered. “Mr. Carter p>
“I’m stronger. Let me help,” he said matter-of-factly.
“That’s not really necessary p>
“It’s fine p>
Before I could protest further, he’d already taken my hand in his, massaging each finger with precise, firm pressure. I watched his hands working over mine, my heart
racing so hard I thought it might burst through my chest.
I couldn’t take it. I yanked my hand away. “I’m thirsty p>
I practically fled to the kitchen island, poured myself a glass of water, and gulped it
down like I’d been wandering through a desert.
“Was your appetite better at lunch today?” Aiden asked from behind me.
I nodded vigorously, not daring to turn around and face him.
There was silence, then I heard the smile in his voice: “Mrs. Carter seems different
today p>
The words “Mrs. Carter” always undid me. My hand jerked, spilling water down the front of my shirt. “No, I’m not p>
Aiden just smiled, saying nothing. Under his knowing gaze, I put the glass down, still avoiding eye contact. “I’m kind of hungry p>
With that, I hopped off the stool and practically sprinted toward the kitchen, calling out: “is dinner ready yet p>