Chapter 152
Aria’s POV
I sank into the couch, feeling like a fish tossed into boiling water. No matter which
way I turned, the air was suffocatingly hot. Ever since Aiden said the word “sex,” my body had been burning up.
The truth was, it had been a while since we’d slept together.
And my body was practically screaming for him.
After all, he’s incredibly strong, and he has… impressive stamina.
But right now, I didn’t want to lose myself in it.
My emotions were all over the place.
I was afraid of falling even deeper for him.
The thought made me shift away slightly.
“Did I misunderstand?” He was watching me.
Then his long finger tapped the screen, liking the top comment. A heart lit up instantly.
Some likes really shouldn’t be given so casually! Especially when it’s the person involved hitting that button!
“Maybe you shouldn’t like that one?” The words slipped out before I could stop them, memories of the last time he’d liked a comment and set social media ablaze flashing through my mind.
Just to be clear—I wasn’t trying to pick a fight! But who in their right mind likes a comment about themselves and someone else p>
Aiden glanced at me. “Why not p>
I squirmed. “It’s just a joke, but your like will make people think we actually p>
He raised an eyebrow. “We’re married. Is there a problem p>
Logic: full marks. Embarrassment level: also full marks.
Steeling myself, I met his gaze. “I’m just not comfortable sharing our private life so publicly p>
“Isn’t physical attraction a basic human instinct?” As he spoke, his arm slid around my waist.
I could see the raw desire in his eyes.
When I looked down, my gaze landed on his strong, defined jawline.
Damn it, he’s just too attractive.
I was terrified I’d lose control.
But things between us were getting more complicated by the minute.
We couldn’t just fall into bed again.
My rational mind needed a break-a serious one.
I decided to make an exit.
“I’m going to practice the piano I hadn’t touched the keys all day.
It was an excuse, but also the truth.
I fled to the music room, hoping to calm my racing heart with *Für Elise*, but even
after playing the piece through, my chest was still pounding.
Great. Now I’ll blush every time I see that Valentine’s Day photo.
Of course, the moment the thought crossed my mind, I couldn’t resist pulling out my phone and opening the picture.
Before reading that comment, I’d thought it was a sweet, romantic shot of a loving couple. Now? It looked like a scene charged with undeniable tension.
God, how did we ever pull off the “perfect couple” act?
I was secretly studying Aiden’s expression in the photo, hands over my face, when a message from Lillian popped up:
Lillian: <<[screenshot.jpg][screenshot.jpg p>
Lillian: So you’re telling me you two really just slept on Valentine’s night? Have you seen these trending tags?! Is this even appropriate for public consumption p>
I opened the screenshots. Sure enough, #Mr.CarterLikesAgain was trending.
The tag sounded formal, but the content underneath was anything but.
I took a deep breath, covering my face for three seconds before replying: What if
I said it was an accident p>
Lillian: < p>
Me: < >
Lillian: «Drop the question mark p>
Me: < >
It wasn’t the first time, after all.
Lillian: < >
Me: < >
Even though I’d been thinking the exact same thing!
But what if I was misreading him?
By now, the online rumors about Aiden and me heading for divorce had completely reversed. First, the Valentine’s Day post had leaked, then Aiden’s like-netizens were completely distracted:
“They’re clearly deeply in love!” “He rushed home just to be with his wife on Valentine’s!” “Those cheating rumors were absolutely ridiculous p>
Julian’s team also seized the moment to release another statement, clarifying that I was a pianist he deeply admired that had collaborated professionally
multiple times, and that we were on good terms privately. He expressed hope that no one would
misunderstand or slander our
relationship.
Julian’s fans rallied in the comments, and even my own supporters joined in to
defend me.
It seemed the storm had finally blown over.
Christopher let out a long sigh of relief, then turned to Julian with a mix of frustration and exasperation “Can you please lie low? Those two are clearly solid as a rock why do you keep inserting yourself into their business? Are you trying to ruin your career p>
Julian gave him a lazy glance. “What did I even do p>
“Nothing? Then why were you asking about that dress p>
Julian clicked his tongue. “Do you think Aiden Carter is short on money? Aviya
looked good in that dress—I was just doing her a favor p>
He paused. “Besides, weren’t you the one who told me to seize opportunities to climb the social ladder? Do you think someone at Aiden Carter’s level is easy to get close to p>
Christopher nearly laughed in disbelief. “You call this ‘climbing the social ladder’? It looks an awful lot like you’re interested in his wife! You’re lucky his people didn’t come after you p>
Julian raised an eyebrow, completely unrepentant. “I was going to buy it properly, you know p>
Just then, Diana walked in. “What dress? Julian, are you talking about the one Mrs. Carter wore at the concert p>
Julian looked up. “You want it p>
“Of course! I thought it looked amazing!” Diana’s eyes lit up. “It’s from that A-label you endorse, right? Can you get it for me p>
Julian chuckled softly. “Has it ever occurred to you that it might not be the dress
that’s beautiful, but the person wearing it p>
Diana froze. “What’s that supposed to mean? That I can’t pull it off p>
Seeing Julian about to fan the
flames, Christopher shot him a warning look and quickly redirected
Diana “He didn’t mean it like that! Diana, come here I saved a special gift for you from the concert p>
Diana was immediately distracted. “Really p>
Julian watched them leave, frowning slightly, then dialed Herbert’s number.
Herbert, who had been about to head out, answered with utter resignation. “What is
it now p>
“Any progress on what I asked you to look into p>
Herbert hesitated. “Which—?” Then it clicked. “Julian, have you ever considered
that maybe Aviya and Aiden just fell in love and got married? Like normal people
do p>
Absurd. Julian still insisted on having him dig into some “hidden reason” behind Aviya and Aiden’s marriage.
How was he supposed to investigate that? Walk up to Aviya and ask, “Excuse me,
Mrs. Carter, but was there some ulterior motive behind your marriage to Mr. Carter p>
That would be a death wish.
“Impossible,” Julian stated flatly.
Herbert laughed in frustration. “I can’t find anything. Maybe you should hire
someone more capable p>
Always giving him impossible tasks!
“Useless,” Julian said, and hung up.
Herbert stared at his phone, too furious to speak.
All tough talk now-but when it came to the woman he liked being taken by
someone else, he couldn’t even stand in the way.
Amateur.