Chapter 280
Aria’s POV
I gasped as Aiden swiped his credit card, barely turning around before I wrapped my
arms around his. The electricity between us was instant-like always.
“Got it,” I whispered, my breath tickling his ear. I felt that familiar flutter in my stomach as his dark eyes locked with mine, growing more intense by the second. His arm snaked around my waist, pulling me closer against his solid chest.
Elena Pierce approached us, her gaze lingering on Aiden’s hand at my waist before quickly looking away. “Mrs. Carter, Mr. Carter,” she greeted formally.
I bit back a smile. Last time, Lillian had called her out for addressing me as “Miss Jones” and using Aiden’s first name instead of acknowledging our marriage. Clearly, Elena had learned her lesson.
“Ms. Pierce,” I replied politely, feeling Aiden’s thumb drawing small circles against my hip.
Aiden barely glanced at her. “Something you need?” His voice carried that edge I’d come to recognize—the one that said his patience was already wearing thin. It had evaporated completely after Elena had spread those nasty rumors about me months ago.
Elena flinched momentarily, caught off guard by his coldness. I could almost hear her internal scramble to recover as she forced her smile back into place.
“Actually, there is something I wanted to ask,” she said, shifting her weight from one foot to another. The expensive perfume she wore couldn’t mask her nervousness.
Aiden remained silent, waiting. I stayed quiet too, watching the scene unfold. Something told me this had to do with the necklace—that stunning diamond piece he’d just bought me.
Sure enough, Elena cleared her throat and continued, “That necklace… Mrs. Carter, would you consider parting with it?” Her eyes locked onto mine, then darted back to Aiden. “I’m not trying to compete with your wife. It’s just that my mother asked me specifically to bid on it last week p>
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. She was playing the mother card, thinking that would work with Aiden. Clever, but transparent.
She continued, “As you know, your mother and mine were close friends for years. My mother even helped sort through your mother’s belongings after she passed p>
The tension in Aiden’s jaw tightened, but his voice remained perfectly controlled. “I apologize, but the necklace is a special gift for my wife. It’s not for sale p>
His tone left no room for argument. Cold, firm, final.
Elena’s confident expression faltered. “Lucas,” she said, using his childhood nickname—another transparent attempt at familiarity. “You know my mother rarely cares about jewelry. This is one of the few times she’s ever asked me to acquire something specific. Surely your wife deserves even better pieces than this one p>
Her gaze shifted to me, trying a different tactic. “Mrs. Carter, this is the first time my mother has ever asked me to bid on something. Couldn’t you find it in your heart to part with it p>
Was she seriously trying to guilt-trip me? Using filial piety as emotional blackmail? God, the nerve of this woman.
I pressed my lips together, feigning reluctance. “I’m sorry, Ms. Pierce, but this is the first auction Aiden has ever brought me to, and the first gift he’s purchased for me here. It holds special meaning.” I met her gaze steadily. “Besides, the necklace from ‘Love Bridge’ collection would likely suit your mother better. Perhaps you should speak with those buyers instead p>
I couldn’t help but throw her own words back at her. The flash of anger in her eyes told me she caught it.
“I see I’ve overstepped,” Elena said, her voice tight. “My apologies p>
Aiden’s voice cut through the tension. “If you knew you were overstepping, you shouldn’t have asked in the first place p>
The color drained from Elena’s face. She bit her lip, looked between us, and managed a strained, “I’m sorry for the intrusion,” before walking away.
I watched her retreat, satisfaction warming my chest. Turning to Aiden, I asked, “Are
you sure it’s okay not to let her have the necklace p>
In truth, I wasn’t particularly attached to it. Had anyone else asked, I might have considered it But Elena? After everything she’d tried to pull? Not a chance. If her mother genuinely wanted it, she could approach Aiden directly.
Aiden smoothed a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch lingering. “It’s fine. If her mother truly wanted it as a senior family friend, she
wouldn’t put her daughter,
competing with
younger.
That’s not how respectful elders
behave p>
I realized he was right. Elena had been lying through her teeth, using her mother as
an excuse. Aiden had seen through it immediately.
“You’re right!” I beamed up at him, my eyes crinkling. The warmth of his gaze made my heart skip.
Checking my watch, I noticed the time. “It’s eight-thirty. Should we head home p>
“Want a late-night snack first?” he offered.
I shook my head. “No thanks.” Late-night eating wasn’t my habit, and I was trying to keep my stomach flat.
“Home it is, then.” His hand found mine, our fingers interlacing naturally.
“Perfect.” I glanced down at our joined hands, feeling that
now-familiar warmth spread through me. Aiden consistently stood by my side, always putting my needs and, happiness first No matter the situation, his first concern was always me-was I okay, was I happy, was I safe.
The realization made me squeeze his hand tighter. “Aiden, you’re amazing, you know that p>
“Hmm?” He raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled by my sudden compliment.
I turned to face him. “You immediately spotted what she was really doing p>
I’d been so focused on not giving in to Elena that I’d almost fallen into her manipulation trap. Thank God Aiden was sharper than that.
His lips curved into that subtle smile I loved. “Didn’t my clever wife figure it out too p>
There was a teasing note in his voice that made my cheeks flush. Damn, he’d seen right through me—not just through Elena’s schemes, but through mine as well.
Embarrassed, I cleared my throat and changed the subject. “I took on a freelance job today p>
“What kind of job?” His thumb traced circles on the back of my hand as we walked toward the exit.
“Julian’s friend is releasing an album and asked me to record piano accompaniment p>
I looked up at him with a playful wink. “I need to start earning my own money too p>
I wanted to buy him nice things too, to surprise him the way he always surprised me.