Chapter 281
Aria’s POV
“You don’t need to work so hard. I’d be thrilled if Mrs. Carter would use my credit card,” Aiden said, his voice warm against my ear.
I remembered the secondary card he’d given me and felt my cheeks flush. “It’s not the same thing p>
“How is it different? We’re legally married. Half of what I earn belongs to you.” His fingers brushed against mine as we walked, sending little sparks up my arm.
I couldn’t possibly imagine owning half of Aiden’s fortune. What he had accumulated would take me several lifetimes to earn on my own. Of course, I kept this thought to myself. I wanted to maintain my pride without dismissing his feelings.
I turned to look at him, catching the way the streetlights illuminated his strong jawline. “Money for your gift should come from what I’ve earned, shouldn’t it?” The night air felt cool against my heated skin.
When he heard my words, something changed in his eyes. They softened, and a genuine smile spread across his face. I could practically feel the warmth radiating from him.
“Mmm, Mrs. Carter certainly knows how to make me happy,” he murmured, his thumb tracing circles on the inside of my wrist.
We reached the car, and Aiden opened the passenger door of his sleek black Bentley. His arm blocked the top of the doorway protectively as I slid into the leather seat. The familiar scent of his expensive cologne lingered in the car, making my heartbeat quicken slightly. Only after I was settled did he withdraw his hand to close the door and walk around to the driver’s side.
Author’s POV
Liam White watched Aria get into the car with Aiden, the sleek Bentley disappearing around the corner. A sharp pain stabbed through his chest with each beat of his heart.
Once, it had been him standing beside Aria, holding her hand. But in just six short months, everything had changed completely.
Recently, he’d been unable to sleep properly. When he woke in the middle of the night, his thoughts inevitably drifted to the twelve years he and Aria had shared together. He had always believed their relationship-childhood sweethearts for over a decade-transcended mere romance. There was family connection there, a bond that should have been unbreakable.
He had been certain that no matter what happened, he and Aria would never be apart in this lifetime. Yet it took just one wedding-one abandoned wedding-for him to lose her forever.
If he could go back and change things, he absolutely wouldn’t have walked away that day. But there were no second chances. Aria had moved further and further beyond his reach.
“What are you looking at?” his female companion asked with a frown, unable to contain her curiosity.
Liam pulled his gaze away and shook his head. “Nothing. Just spotted an old friend p>
“Let’s go. I’ll take you home,” he offered.
Seeing his softened demeanor, her irritation faded. “I’d like to grab a late dinner. Care to join me p>
Liam hesitated, studying the beautiful woman before him. After a moment’s internal struggle, he nodded. “Alright p>
White Enterprises had been
experiencing some issues lately. The bank loan they desperately needed wasn’t coming through forcing him to find alternative solutions The woman was the daughter of the bank’s president-their association might help secure the funding he needed.
That evening, Liam wasn’t the only one feeling the sting of disappointment.
Elena Pierce had just returned to her friend’s side when she was immediately questioned.
“So? Were Mr. and Mrs. Carter willing to part with it?” her friend asked eagerly. Elena’s expression soured as she glanced at her companion. “They weren’t.” Her friend looked confused. “Why not? Didn’t you tell them your mother asked you to bid on that necklace? Your mom and Aiden’s mother were such close friends. “Why wouldn’t he agree p>
Growing more incredulous by the second, her friend’s brow furrowed. “It was his wife, wasn’t it? Mrs. Carter refused p>
Not wanting to appear completely humiliated, Elena simply nodded. “Yes p>
Aiden’s rejection stung far more than Aria’s—a woman who had no connection to her whatsoever.
“Well, if Mrs. Carter doesn’t want to part with it, we can’t force her,” her friend said with understanding.
Having just been accused by Aiden of “forcing the issue,” the phrase hit a nerve with Elena. “I hardly think it’s forcing anything. She doesn’t even particularly like that necklace. She only refused because I was the one asking.” sŵnovels
Her friend gasped softly. “You think Mrs. Carter has something against you personally p>
“What else could it be p>
Elena’s lips twisted into a sardonic smile as she made a deliberately suggestive comment: “She probably has some misunderstanding about me p>
As expected, her friend immediately caught on. “Oh, I get it! She thinks there’s something between you and her husband p>
Now that her friend had stated it so plainly, Elena backtracked slightly. “Maybe I’m overthinking it p>
“A woman’s hostility toward another woman most commonly stems from a man. While Mr. Carter is certainly exceptional, you’re quite the catch yourself, Elena. Mrs. Carter seems rather insecure p>
“Besides, they’re already married. Does she have so little confidence in herself p>
Listening to her friend disparage Aria this way improved Elena’s mood considerably. “If that’s really the case suppose it’s understandable. After all, Mrs. Carter was left at the altar once before.” ‘
“Oh, that’s right p>
The two women exchanged knowing smiles, their eyes gleaming with contempt.