Chapter 294
Aria’s POV
I suddenly felt a hot breath on my neck as Aiden leaned in close, his lips barely brushing my ear. “I care for Aria too,” he murmured, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. “More than anyone could possibly imagine p>
My ears were already tingling from Claire’s open declaration, but Aiden’s intimate confession made both my ears turn completely crimson. My face felt like it was on fire.
I’d grown a thicker skin since our marriage began, but him saying something so bold in such a public setting still left me breathless. I shot him a sideways glance. “Are you trying to make me spontaneously combust in front of everyone?” I whispered.
He chuckled softly, his eyes dancing with mischief. “Maybe. You’re particularly beautiful when you blush p>
Across the room, Thomas Carter had already taken the stage, but my attention was completely scattered. How could I focus on anything when Aiden was standing so close, his breath warm against my neck, sending tingles across my skin? My mind was filled with nothing but his words, replaying them over and over.
I was so distracted that I completely missed whatever Claire said to me before she left with her mother to find Mr. Bennett. I only snapped back to reality in time to weakly wave goodbye to her.
On stage, they had finished cutting the massive celebration cake. Eleanor and Thomas’s son were busy distributing slices to the guests.
When I spotted Thomas’s son walking toward us with two plates of cake, I instinctively glanced at Aiden, seeking his reaction.
“What are you looking at me for? Can’t hold your own cake?” Thomas’s son said with obvious disdain as he practically shoved a slice into my hands.
“Dad wants you home tonight,” he said, his confidence faltering. Then he paused, shooting me a dismissive look. “Preferably without bringing this woman along p>
Aiden stared at the cake in his hand, his previously warm expression turning unreadable and cold.
“Hey, don’t shoot the messenger,” Thomas’s son said, lips pressing into a thin line. “Those were Dad’s words, not mine p>
With that, he quickly scurried away, leaving us standing awkwardly with our unwanted cake slices.
I stood there feeling incredibly uncomfortable. Should I eat this cake? Pretend to enjoy it? Ignore it? Thomas Carter clearly despised me.
As if reading my thoughts, Aiden smoothly took the plate from my hands. Just then, a server with an empty tray walked by.
“Please dispose of these. Thank you,” Aiden said calmly, placing both slices on the tray. Then he took my hand in his, intertwining our fingers. “Let’s go home, Mrs. Carter p>
I noticed Thomas watching us from across the room, despite appearing to be in conversation with Mr. Bennett.
As Aiden led me toward the exit, I couldn’t help but worry. “Is it really okay for us to leave like this? Isn’t it a bit rude p>
Aiden stopped walking and turned to me with a slight smile. “You’re right, Aria. It would be impolite p>
To my surprise, he changed direction, leading me straight toward Thomas who was standing by the stage.
Thomas’s expression had slightly softened when he saw us approaching. Perhaps he thought Aiden was heeding his summons.
That hope was quickly dashed when Aiden spoke. “Uncle Thomas, we have other matters to attend to. We’ll be leaving now p>
“Yes, Mr. Carter, we must be going,” I added quickly, trying to be respectful despite the tension crackling in the air.
Thomas’s briefly improved expression darkened instantly. “If you’re so busy,” he practically snarled through gritted teeth, “don’t bother coming next time p>
Aiden simply nodded politely to the Bennetts, then turned and led me away without another word.
As we walked toward the exit, I glanced up at Aiden’s stoic profile, then couldn’t resist looking back over my shoulder. Thomas looked even angrier than before his face. flushed with fury.
“You did that on purpose,” I whispered to Aiden as we stepped into the corridor.
He squeezed my hand gently. “Did what?” he asked, the picture of innocence except for the dangerous glint in his eyes.
“Provoking your uncle like that p>
“I simply informed him we were leaving, as any respectful people would do Aiden replied, his thumb tracing circles on my palm. “Besides, no one gets to tell me whether can bring my wife home or
not especially not when she’s the only reason I bothered to attend at all p>
I felt a warmth spreading through my chest that had nothing to do with embarrassment. “So I’m just your excuse to leave boring parties early?” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.
He stopped walking, turning to face me fully in the deserted hallway. His eyes locked with mine, suddenly serious. “You’re the only reason I do anything these days, Aria p>
My breath caught in my throat. Before I could respond, he leaned down and pressed
a soft kiss to my forehead, lingering just long enough to make my heart race.
“Now, shall we go home?” he whispered against my skin.
We only stayed at the gala for what-twenty minutes? I could almost hear the gossip erupting behind us as we left. Not that I cared what anyone was saying anymore.
The car ride was silent. Aiden hadn’t spoken a word, and his profile in the dim light looked tense. Something was definitely bothering him. When the can finally slowed to a stop, I automatically reached for my seatbelt, ready to hop out.
Aiden’s hand covered mine, stopping me. “We’re not there yet p>
I glanced out the window, realizing we were just in some random parking lot. Nowhere near home.
“Are we going shopping?” I asked, confused. The mall loomed in the distance, its lights still on despite the late hour.
He shook his head, fingers drumming against the steering wheel. I could tell he was itching for a cigarette, but was restraining himself because I was in the car.
The dim light from distant street lamps barely reached us. I couldn’t quite make out his expression, but the heaviness in the air was unmistakable.
“Aiden,” I ventured after a moment of hesitation, “is something wrong? You seem upset p>
He finally looked at me then, his dark eyes unreadable. Instead of answering my question, he asked, “Would you mind coming somewhere with me p>