Chapter 155
Aria’s POV
I woke up with a start when I heard movement in the living room. Lillian was
supposed to be asleep for at least another hour. Embarrassed at being caught in the act, I quickly tried to hide what I was doing.
“Not sleeping anymore?” I asked, trying to sound casual.
“Just getting up to pee,” she mumbled, stretching and yawning dramatically.
I huffed. “You look wide awake to me. Maybe we should just head out now p>
Seriously? She had to come check on me right when I was doing something embarrassing? She seemed perfectly alert!
Lillian coughed lightly. “I’m still exhausted. You keep… poking away at your screen.” She gestured vaguely at my phone before retreating to her bathroom.
Great. She’d seen me stabbing at Aiden’s photos and had the nerve to tease me about it!
After she left, I felt too self-conscious to continue my petty revenge against Aiden’s digital face. With a sigh, I closed the social media app and checked the time.
Only 8:10? Time was crawling by impossibly slowly.
What was I supposed to do now? Lillian didn’t have a piano I could practice on. I was wide awake with hours to kill in someone else’s apartment.
After contemplating for a moment, I downloaded a rhythm game, but deleted it after just a few levels. Nothing held my interest until I finally logged into “King’s Glory” and played three rounds before Lillian finally emerged from her beauty sleep.
Between her face masks and makeup routine, we didn’t make it out the door until nearly ten o’clock.
Weekend crowds swarmed Lovers’ Lane, completely ruining Lillian’s grand plans for taking I m-worthy photos. Every scenic spot was packed with people photobombing our shots.
At least my face stood out in the crowd. I could look decent even surrounded by a sea of strangers.
“These look amazing!” Lillian insisted, frantically trying to salvage the situation as she reviewed the photos. “See? Having all these people creates contrast! It adds storytelling elements p>
“Sure it does,” I replied flatly.
This girl would say anything to save face.
The restaurant situation wasn’t any better. I stared at the endless mass of heads waiting in line. “Should we try somewhere else p>
“Yes! God, yes,” Lillian agreed immediately, not even looking up from her frantic photo editing.
We abandoned the trendy area and took a cab to another district. Even there, we had to take a number and wait for a table at a slightly less crowded restaurant. While waiting, I peeked at Lillian’s phone. “Wait-where did all the people go?” She’d finally finished editing one photo and was looking smug until my question pierced her bubble. “What p>
I pointed at her screen. “All those people in the background. They’re gone.” “I edited them out, obviously p>
“Impressive! You actually know what you’re doing with those photo apps p>
Lillian raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased with herself. “Of course I do p>
Just as we were bantering, my phone rang. My hand trembled when I saw “Aiden Carter” on the screen. “Lillian! What do I do? He’s calling p>
“Answer it, dummy!” Before I could decide, she reached over and tapped the green button.
I froze in panic. What was she thinking? I was still mad at him! I wasn’t ready to talk!
Lillian suddenly realized her mistake. “Or… hang up p>
I glared at her and reluctantly put the phone to my ear. “Hello, Mr. Carter p>
“Is Mrs. Carter planning to come home today?” His deep voice was infuriatingly calm.
I glanced around the restaurant, struggling to maintain my dignity. “I’m with a friend
today. I’ll be back later tonight p>
“Should I come get you p>
“No need,” I replied coldly.
Who did he think he was? I didn’t need his help!
I ended the call abruptly, not giving him a chance to respond.
Lillian broke into immediate applause. “Badass! You’re my hero! I’ve never seen
anyone hang up on Aiden Carter like that p>
“You’re not his secretary. How would you know if I’m the first p>
Her enthusiasm deflated. “Oh. Right p>
Our table number was finally called, saving us from the awkward moment. After lunch, I wanted to visit some high-end boutiques, so we headed to the mall.
Just my luck-we hadn’t even
entered the Chanel section when
spotted Madison Reynolds with her
friend. These two irritating women
were exactly who I didn’t want to see today.
Lillian noticed them too. “Maybe we should go to Louis Vuitton instead?” she suggested quietly.
“What, and look like I’m avoiding them? No way p>
“Good point p>
I straightened my back and strode into the boutique. I was going to pretend they didn’t exist. How hard could that be?
Apparently too hard for Madison’s friend, who immediately called out, “Well, if it isn’t Mrs. Carter! What a coincidence p>
I bit back a groan.
Why couldn’t she keep her mouth shut?
Lillian, still smarting from their last encounter, jumped in: “Yes, quite the coincidence. It was sunny when we came in, but I’m worried it might rain soon p>
The mention of rain immediately darkened the other woman’s expression, clearly reminding her of some previous humiliation.
Madison quickly stepped in. “Mrs. Carter, it’s been a while p>
I nodded perfunctorily. “Indeed it has p>
As if I had any desire to see you regularly!
I kept that thought to myself, but Lillian had no such filter. “As if she has any reason
to see you regularly,” she said aloud.
Madison’s face stiffened. Her friend immediately came to her defense. “What’s wrong with you, Lillian? We’re just saying hello. Why are you being so rude p>
“We deliberately walked in this direction to avoid talking to you, but you just had to force a conversation. If I step on your toes, that’s on you p>
“Are you insulting us p>
“I’m not insulting anyone,”,” Lillian replied innocently.
I nearly burst out laughing. The implication was crystal clear: You’re not even people worth insulting.
Madison’s friend didn’t catch on right away and seemed confused by Lillian’s apparent backtracking. “Well… just speak properly then p>
I couldn’t hold back a short laugh.
She turned to me immediately. “Mrs. Carter, did I say something amusing p>
I composed myself and pointed to
some outfits for the sales assistant to bring over. “Nothing really. I just remembered a movie watched yesterday with a dog that learned to talk. It was surprisingly convincing p>
Her face turned red with anger, clearly understanding I was comparing her to the
dog, but unable to prove it.
Madison pulled a small envelope
from her purse. “Mrs. Carter, this
an invitation to my engagement party with Ryan. you’re free next Saturday, please come with Mr. Carter p>
Her friend smugly added, “Though Mr. Carter is probably too busy to accompany his
wife p>
The comment was deliberately barbed, and frustratingly, I couldn’t contradict her. What if Aiden truly was too busy? That would be humiliating.
“Oh,” I said, accepting the invitation with grace I didn’t feel. “Congratulations, Ms. Reynolds p>
Privately, I thought Madison was delusional to treasure a man like Ryan Matthews. He was clearly unreliable, but she was walking into this relationship with her eyes wide open.
Didn’t she worry he might run out on their wedding day too?