Chapter 225
Aria’s POV
Lillian tapped my shoulder, her gaze landing on my flushed face. “What were you dreaming about? You look pretty hot and bothered p>
She handed me a tissue. I took it, dabbing at the thin layer of sweat on my forehead while my mind replayed fragments of the dream. Heat rushed to my cheeks.
I avoided answering her question, instead sitting up and staring blankly at the comforter covering me.
Lillian misinterpreted my silence, assuming I’d had a nightmare. She wrapped her arms around me. “Aria? Don’t be scared. It was just a dream. You’re awake now- whatever happened wasn’t real p>
I pressed my lips together and glanced at her face, guilt washing over me. “Mmm,” I managed weakly.
Gently pushing her away, I mumbled, “I need to wash my face p>
“Sure,” she said, releasing me.
I padded to the bathroom in my slippers and splashed cold water on my face. The mirror reflected my flushed complexion, and despite the cooling sensation against my skin, I couldn’t help remembering the vivid scenes from my dream. I quickly lowered my head and splashed several more handfuls of water on my face.
Damn it! This was entirely Lillian’s fault for always telling me about those steamy romance novels she reads!
After spending several minutes composing myself in the bathroom, I emerged to find Lillian watching me with concern etched across her features.
“You don’t seem okay. Maybe we should call it a day?” she suggested.
I felt my face heat up again. “It’s nothing, just… not a great dream p>
I couldn’t possibly tell her what I’d actually dreamed about—I’d never hear the end
of it. Changing the subject quickly, I added, “Why don’t you pack up? I’m heading over to practice p>
“Wait! I need to use the bathroom first!” Lillian called out.
Seeing my determination, she dropped the subject.
I didn’t practice for long that afternoon, wrapping up after only an hour and a half. My hands and lower back ached-I wasn’t used to such intensive physical activity anymore.
Lillian hadn’t napped during the day, so she fell asleep almost immediately when we got in the car to head back. After parking, I gently poked her sleeping form. “Lil p>
She just frowned in her sleep and didn’t stir.
I resorted to more drastic measures. “Julian’s trending on T r p>
“What trend?” She snapped awake instantly.
I snorted. “Are we having dinner or what p>
Lillian rubbed her eyes, glancing out the window and finally realizing we were back
in the city. She gave me a sheepish grin. “I was just tired, okay? I’m starving-let’s go eat p>
“Speaking of which,” she said as we got out of the car, “aren’t you being a little inconsiderate not going home to have dinner with Aiden tonight p>
I instinctively checked my phone. All day, and Aiden hadn’t sent a single message.
Was he upset? It was Saturday, and I’d left early in the morning. Now I wasn’t even coming home for dinner.
That did seem a bit much.
Lillian studied my expression. “He hasn’t messaged you all day. Maybe he’s annoyed p>
Almost the second after she finished speaking, a text popped up on my screen: Has Mrs. Carter had dinner yet?
Lillian rolled her eyes.
Great. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.
Guilt washed over me as I replied: Not yet. About to grab something with Lillian.
Lillian, noticing my expression, offered, “You know what? Why don’t you go have dinner with Aiden instead? I can eat by myself p>
I flushed slightly. “Get out of the car, Lil. I’m hungry too p>
She hummed approvingly. “Good, you’re not ditching your friend for a man p>
I barely registered her comment as I typed a response to Aiden.
Looking up, I glanced at Lillian. “Lil, maybe we should skip the seafood place tonight. The line’s too long. I want to get home earlier p>
Lillian stared at me in disbelief.
I had clearly just contradicted myself.
In the end, Lillian graciously sacrificed for the sake of my marriage. We chose a Mexican restaurant that wasn’t as crowded instead.
After we’d finished eating, Lillian demonstrated her understanding nature. “Aria, I
can just get a ride-share home. You don’t need to drop me off p>
I shook my head. “It’s hard to get a car right now. I’ll drive you p>
Lillian seemed a little comforted by this and quickly paid the bill before heading with me to the parking lot.
It was just past seven, with the sun setting and twilight descending.
Traffic wasn’t great-we kept stopping and starting.
Lillian was about to ask me something about whether Aiden would attend the event
on the 17th when my phone rang. The light ahead had just turned green, so I couldn’t answer it. She picked up for me.
It was Aiden, asking what time I planned to be home.
His deep voice carried a barely detectable hint of warmth that somehow made him sound… incredibly attractive.
Lillian shot me a look that clearly said she felt like a third wheel again.
I felt my face flush slightly. “I’m driving Lillian home now. I should be back by eight p>
“Drive safely. I’ll hang up now,” Aiden said, ending the call.
As Lillian listened to the disconnected beeps, she looked slightly nauseated despite
the fact that we hadn’t said anything particularly romantic.
She set my phone down and studied me as I focused on driving. Suddenly, she
blurted out: “Do you think Aiden knew you were JJ all along p>
We stopped at a red light, and I turned to see her watching me intensely.
“Aria, can I ask you something?” She cleared her throat.
I tensed up, thinking it must be something serious. “What’s wrong? Do you feel like
I’ve been neglecting you since I got married p>
“No, that’s not it! I was just joking about that,” she clarified, then paused. “What I’m wondering is—could Aiden have known you were JJ from the beginning p>
I blinked, then laughed. “No way. You’re overthinking p>
Though I’d had similar suspicions before.
Lillian pressed on. “How am I overthinking? Aiden is… well, Aiden! Why would he randomly marry someone he didn’t know? Didn’t Elena mention his ‘one true love’? The one whose performances he never misses p>
“If he didn’t already know you were
JJ, why would he so easily agree to your completely outrageous marriage proposal? He’s Aiden, Carter not some pushover! Do you really think he’d sacrifice hiso marriage just to compensate you for a car accident p>
As Lillian grew more animated with her conspiracy theory, I found it increasingly absurd. “You’re reading too much into this if he knew was JJ, why didn’t he get me that jet ski for my birthday right away p>
“Maybe he wanted to keep some mystery going?” she suggested.
I dismissed Lillian’s theory completely. Her guess about Aiden knowing my secret
identity? I’d already considered that possibility ages ago.
It just didn’t add up.
If Aiden really knew I was JJ all along, why didn’t he say anything when Elena kept mentioning her motorsport-racing “soulmate”? The answer was obvious he had no clue I was JJ!
The traffic light glowed red ahead, forcing me to slow my BMW to a stop. I grabbed
my phone, checking the time. Nearly 8 PM already. A notification showed Aiden had sent me a message—just a photo.
Curiosity tickled my senses as I tapped to open it. A simple picture of tonight’s moon. What was he trying to tell me?
I sent back a question mark. “What’s this about p>
Instead of explaining, he just told me to drive carefully. Typical Aiden.
I rolled my eyes and glanced up through the sunroof. The moon hung there, nothing particularly special about it except… it was exceptionally full tonight, a perfect silvery disc against the dark sky.
The light flashed green, and I slipped my phone into the cup holder, easing my foot onto the accelerator. Traffic flowed smoothly, letting me cruise all the way back to our mansion without delay.
My mind kept returning to Aiden’s mysterious moon photo as I pulled into our circular driveway. After parking in the garage, I practically sprinted out, eager to solve this little puzzle.
Just a few steps from the garage door, I spotted him—standing in the moonlight, wearing that crisp white button-down shirt that highlighted his broad shoulders perfectly. My breath caught in my throat.
I hesitated for just a second, drinking in the sight of him, before running straight into
his arms. We’d been apart less than a day, but it felt longer.
Aiden opened his arms wide, wrapping me in his embrace. I
crashed against his chest immediately enveloped in that familiar sandalwood scent that made my knees weak. His cologne mingled with his natural musk in a way that felt like coming home.
After a moment of just breathing him in, I pulled back slightly. “Why’d you send me a
picture of the moon?” I asked, tilting my head.
Aiden’s fingers brushed against my cheek, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my
ear. “Tonight’s moon looked particularly beautiful,” he murmured, his eyes never leaving mine.
I glanced skyward and nodded in agreement. “You’re right. It’s perfectly round
tonight p>
His gaze intensified as he added, “I wanted to admire it with Mrs. Carter p>
At first I didn’t catch his meaning, then grinned happily. “I’d love that p>
The night really was gorgeous-clear skies, gentle breeze, perfect for stargazing. But after spending all day practicing on the jet ski, I felt sticky despite the shower I’d taken before leaving the marina.
“Can I take a quick shower first?” I asked, running my fingers through my windblown
hair.
“Of course,” he replied, his dark eyes briefly dropping to my lips before he took my hand and led me inside.
Once through the front door, Aiden released my hand. I watched him walk toward
the kitchen island to grab a water glass. With a little skip in my step, I adjusted my bag strap and hurried upstairs.