Chapter 150
Aria’s POV
My heart raced as Aiden leaned closer, his familiar cedar scent overwhelming my senses. Each breath I took felt heavier than the last as I stared into those dark eyes just inches from mine.
Was he testing me or just asking casually? I couldn’t tell.
I clenched my hands at my sides, desperately trying to appear normal. “Yes,
probably,” I managed to say. Denying that someone like Aiden could be attractive would seem too deliberate.
“Probably?” he echoed.
“Well… a man like you would be hard for anyone not to find appealing, wouldn’t they?” I stammered.
Aiden clicked his tongue. “Yet you don’t seem affected p>
God, what a trap question! Just as I was about to confess everything, the doorbell rang.
Thank heaven! Saved by the bell!
“Someone’s at the door! I’ll see who it is!” I practically jumped up and ran from the room before finishing my sentence.
Aiden watched me flee, raising an eyebrow and muttering, “Coward p>
I rushed downstairs, through the garden, and opened the front door to find Claire standing there with an enormous bouquet of roses.
What was she up to now?
Claire thrust the flowers into my hands. “Don’t be sad, honey! Let’s go have some fun! That dog of a man doesn’t deserve one second of your tears p>
Just as she finished speaking, she spotted the “dog of a man” himself walking slowly toward us from the garden.
“What’s he doing here?” she blurted.
“Strange question, Miss Bennett. This is my home. Where else should I be?” Aiden responded coolly.
Claire didn’t back down. “At a hotel, perhaps? You seem to enjoy those, don’t you?” She sniffed dramatically. “Don’t worry, Aria. If you want a divorce, I’ll support you one hundred percent p>
I cringed. She was certainly loyal, if not particularly tactful.
Aiden reached us and took my hand, pulling me closer to him. “Our marriage is perfectly fine. No need for your concern, Miss Bennett p>
He then grabbed the roses from my hands and tossed them back into Claire’s arms. “Perhaps instead of trying to destroy my marriage, you should spend that energy finding yourself a husband. Might save you from ending up with a ‘dog of a man’ yourself p>
Damn, he was throwing her words right back at her!
Just as Claire prepared to fire back, Aiden slammed the iron gate shut with a loud clang.
“Aiden Carter! Open this door and explain yourself to Aria properly!” Claire shouted from outside.
I flinched at the sound. “Wasn’t that a bit rude p>
“She came here trying to convince you to divorce me. Was that polite?” His tone
was even, but I could sense he was angry.
“Are you upset?” I asked.
“No,” he denied.
I looked down at my hand still in his grip and felt my mood lighten despite everything. Claire continued pressing the doorbell, and I glanced back awkwardly. “She means well, really p>
Aiden led me into the house before finally releasing my hand. “Would you like to go out for dinner tonight p>
“What?” The sudden topic change caught me off guard.
“We haven’t gone out for dinner together in a while,” he said, clearly trying to divert my attention from Claire.
“But Nanny’s already cooking,” I replied, suddenly remembering something. “She prepared your favorite dishes for lunch today, but when you said you weren’t coming home, she saved everything for dinner instead p>
Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t keep the disappointment from my voice.
Aiden took a sip of water and gave me a sideways glance. Then he smiled. “It won’t happen again p>
“Hmm p>
“Next time, I won’t s denly cancel on coming home p>
I froze for a moment, then felt my face flush crimson.
Why did his words suddenly feel so tender?
We ended up eating at home that night because Aiden had an urgent document to handle. I watched his retreating back and let out a small sigh of relief.
I touched my warm cheeks, waited until I’d composed myself, then went upstairs to retrieve my “dead” phone.
Unsurprisingly, the moment I turned it on, I was bombarded with messages from Lillian:
Lillian: What did he explain??? How did he explain it??? Don’t tell me she’s just a “good friend” like in those awful romance novels!
Lillian: The public opinion is shifting! That Elena Pierce’s studio released a statement!
Lillian: Your husband’s company posted legal notices! Damn, how am I still getting force-fed dog food in this situation?
Lillian: [Screenshot.jpg] [Screenshot.jpg] [Screenshot.jpg] [Screenshot.jpg]
Claire was messaging me too. I cringed, remembering I’d left her outside. Before I could respond to Lillian, I hurried back downstairs.
Claire hadn’t left. She was sitting in her flashy sports car, still holding the flowers.
When she saw me, she jumped out. “He didn’t hit you, did he p>
I winced at her words. “Of course not. He would never p>
Claire snorted disbelievingly. “You never know. Men like Aiden Carter are good at putting on an act. Look at him—never dated anyone all these years. So secretive! He could be abusive behind closed doors p>
I needed to change the subject
before Claire painted Aiden as a serial killer “Thanks for your concern, Claire, but I’m feeling much better last night was just
misunderstanding. The online
narrative has already shifted. You don’t need to worry p>
Claire had also just seen Elena’s studio’s clarification. Though she disliked Aiden, she wasn’t one to slander someone’s character
without cause. “I’m glad you’real net
feeling better. Don’t mind those
online comments-those internet trolls have nothing better to do than act like moral police online while
behaving terribly in real life p>
“I don’t mean you, of course! I just mean you shouldn’t care what they say. They’re
just looking for somewhere to vent p>
I understood the logic, but ignoring it completely was easier said than done. Still, what bothered me most wasn’t the online comments-it was the fact that Aiden had been with another woman last night instead of coming to my performance.
Even though I knew I had no right to feel hurt, I did.
Of course, I couldn’t tell Claire any of this.
I smiled at her. “I know. Thanks, Claire p>
“Well then.” Claire looked at the roses in her arms. “Do you want these? Flowers
usually cheer women up p>
I gratefully accepted her kindness. “Thank you! I love them p>
Claire was perceptive enough to know when to back off. Since Aiden had come home to explain things, there was no need for her to drive a wedge between us.
“I’ll head out then. Remember to tell me if Aiden bullies you p>
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I will. Thanks again p>
It was ridiculous but touching.
As Claire got back into her car, I waved goodbye. Suddenly, she stopped and rolled down her
window “Wait! I forgot to tell younet
something! This Elena Pierce isn’t just anybody. When I was studying, abroad, fheard she and Aiden had thing. They broke up because she wouldn’t come back to the States p>
“Now she’s suddenly returned—I bet she’s after Aiden p>
Claire was really looking out for me, and I appreciated it.
But even if Elena did have ulterior motives, what could I do?
Fight Elena for Aiden?
Could I even win such a battle?
Could I p>