Chapter 283
Aria’s POV
His kiss started on my lips, but soon, Aiden wasn’t satisfied staying just there.
My entire body felt like it was on fire. The tingling sensation traveled from my lips down my neck, eventually invading my chest. The bedroom filled with the sound of our breathing-heavy, desperate.
Aiden kissed me deeply, his voice dropping to that husky tone that always made my core clench. “Mrs. Carter, want to do what lovers do best?” His voice vibrated against my skin, rough and seductive like whiskey over ice.
I felt like a fish gasping for water, desperate for air yet drowning in sensation. My brain short-circuited as I opened my mouth to breathe. The ache building between my legs made me moan softly, and that sound snapped whatever restraint Aiden had been clinging to since the afternoon.
The air conditioning blasted through the room, and I shivered when he pulled my nightgown over my head. The cool air brought a moment of clarity, and a flicker of nervousness made me grip his arm tighter. “Aiden I whispered, my voice catching.
The darkness shrouded his expression as he hovered above me. Just as his hands began exploring my body, my phone shattered our intimate bubble with its shrill ring.
I covered my face with my hands, groaning. “Just ignore it,” I mumbled through my fingers, frustrated by the interruption.
Aiden reached over to the nightstand and grabbed my phone. When he saw the caller ID, however, his demeanor changed instantly. He pulled the sheets over my naked body, quickly put his pants back on, and switched on the lamp before handing me the phone.
“It’s Thomas,” he said, referring to our family butler.
All my embarrassment vanished as alarm bells rang in my head. Thomas wouldn’t call this late unless something was wrong. I grabbed the phone. “Thomas? What’s wrong p>
“Miss Aria, please come to Metropolitan Hospital right away. Your father collapsed after receiving a phone call tonight. I just arrived with the ambulance p>
My face drained of color, and I looked at Aiden with panic rising in my chest. “Aiden “My voice came out shaky, my throat constricting with fear. The word trembled in the air between us.
Aiden pulled me against him with one arm while taking the phone with his other hand. “Thomas, it’s Aiden. What happened to Benjamin p>
“Sir, he collapsed and we’ve just arrived at Metropolitan Hospital. Please bring Miss Aria here as soon as possible p>
“We’re on our way,” Aiden replied and hung up. He grabbed a blanket, draped it around my shoulders, then went to the closet for clothes. “Don’t worry, baby. Let’s get dressed, and I’ll take you to the hospital p>
His gentle voice steadied my racing heart. I looked at him with tear-filled eyes and nodded. “Okay p>
I was too concerned about my father to care about my nakedness as I quickly took the clothes from Aiden’s hands and dressed. We hurried downstairs to the garage after getting ready.
The black Bentley pulled out of the driveway and into the night. Once on the main road, the car accelerated smoothly yet quickly toward Metropolitan Hospital, like a panther finally unleashed.
The night traffic was light, and the hospital wasn’t far. Within fifteen minutes, we pulled up at the entrance. Aiden parked, walked around to my side, and took my cold hand in his warm one, leading me inside.
I had calmed down considerably, though fear still made my fingers ice cold. Aiden’s warm palm against mine gave me strength, anchoring me when I felt like I might float away in panic.
The hospital was quieter at night than during the day. Except for the emergency department, all other units had closed for the evening.
My father had been brought in by ambulance, and after a quick inquiry, Aiden learned he was in the resuscitation room. Following the nurse’s directions, we headed toward the emergency ward.
Before we reached the resuscitation room, I spotted Thomas waiting in the hallway. Our housekeeper Megan had discovered my father unconscious, and Thomas had quickly called 911. My father was rushed to Metropolitan Hospital for emergency treatment.
“Thomas,” I called out, my voice thin with worry.
“Miss Aria, Mr. Carter,” Thomas acknowledged us, relief washing over his face at seeing us.
“How’s my dad?” I asked. I’d never been this frightened in my life, my voise trembling as spoke Arden sensed my fear and slipped his arm around my shoulders.
“He’s still in emergency care. I don’t have any information yet,” Thomas replied.
In reality, my father had only arrived at the hospital about ten minutes before us. No
one knew his condition while he remained in the emergency room.
“He’ll be alright,” Aiden murmured, pressing his forehead against mine and stroking my cheek gently.
I glanced up at him, my eyes rimmed with red, and nodded before turning to stare at
the illuminated sign above the emergency room.
Aiden looked at Thomas. “You should sit down, Thomas p>
“I’m fine, sir. Perhaps you should have Miss Aria sit p>
Aiden looked down at me but didn’t suggest I sit. The three of us stood in silence,
the hallway so quiet that distant footsteps echoed clearly.
vel
When the emergency room doors finally opened, I suddenly found myself afraid to step forward. The dopter looked at our small group and asked, “Who’s family p>
“I am. I’m his daughter,” I raised my hand slightly.
The doctor focused on me. “We’ve stabilized the patient. He had a cardiac issue
that caused him to collapse. He’ll need a stent placed in his heart p>
“Is my father still in danger tonight?” I asked anxiously.
“He’s stable for now, but you should discuss the stent procedure with your family
and schedule it as soon as possible p>
“Thank you, doctor,” I replied, finally able to breathe properly. During
those excruciating fifteen minutes of
waiting, my mind had been
completely blank with fear,
Just then, nurses wheeled my father out. I instinctively moved forward to see him
but my legs suddenly went weak beneath me, and I nearly collapsed.
Aiden caught me. “Legs fall asleep?” he asked gently.
I shook my head. “Just weak.” It was embarrassing, but my father was my only family left.
“Want me to carry you?” he offered.
I flushed. “No need. I can walk.” It hadn’t come to that yet.
I followed alongside my father’s gurney. He was still unconscious from the
emergency treatment.
The nurse explained he would probably wake up in about thirty minutes, so I waited beside his hospital bed.
Aiden checked his watch. “Are you hungry? I could get you something to eat p>
I shook my head. “I’m not hungry.” Then, noticing Thomas, I added, “Could you get
two bowls of soup? Thomas must be hungry p>
Thomas immediately protested, but I insisted, “It’s fine, Thomas p>
I looked at Aiden, who smiled gently and touched my face. “Okay, I’ll go p>