Chapter 289
Author’s POV
Vivian Duncan watched Aria Jones walk away and couldn’t hide her annoyance as she turned to her brother. “Owen, how do you know her?” she demanded.
But Owen Duncan was still staring after Aria’s retreating figure, completely oblivious to his sister’s question.
Vivian had already taken a dislike to Aria, and seeing her brother’s reaction only made her temper flare. “Owen! Don’t tell me you like her p>
She was well aware of her brother’s reputation with women. Any beautiful female could easily catch his interest. While Vivian had to admit that Aria Jones was indeed beautiful, she hadn’t forgotten how the woman had humiliated her during that shopping incident. There was absolutely no way she would accept Aria as her brother’s girlfriend.
Owen only snapped back to reality when Vivian tugged at his sleeve. He finally tore his eyes away from Aria’s direction and looked at his fuming sister. “You know her?” he asked.
“Of course not! Who would want to know someone like her?” Vivian scoffed.
Owen knew his sister’s temperament well enough. Her defensive response told him immediately that there was some history between them.
He clicked his tongue disapprovingly. “How long have you been in Silver Creek? And you’re already bullying people p>
Vivian was stunned that her own brother would accuse her without even hearing her side. She felt a rush of indignation. “What are you talking about? I never bullied her! She’s the one who was horrible to me! You have no idea how awful she was p>
“Is that so?” Owen clearly didn’t believe her. “If she actually managed to put you in your place, I’d be quite impressed. Usually, you’re the one intimidating others. It’s refreshing to hear you might have met your match for once p>
He paused, then added with a hint of amusement in his voice, “If she became your sister-in-law, I bet she’d keep you from causing so much trouble p>
When Vivian heard this, her expression changed dramatically. “Have you lost your mind? That woman drives some beat-up Maserati and acts like she’s something special. You can’t seriously be thinking of marrying someone like her. Have all those women you’ve been with finally blinded you to quality p>
Owen’s face cooled at Vivian’s words. “After all those years of education, you still haven’t learned how to respect others p>
“She disrespected me first!” Vivian protested. “She didn’t even glance at me just now. Didn’t you see how arrogant she was p>
“I didn’t see any arrogance from her, but I certainly witnessed your entitlement. And weren’t you just complaining about severe stomach pain?” Owen countered.
Vivian had been faking her symptoms, and Owen’s direct question made her instantly nervous. Just promise you won’t date her! If you make her your girlfriend, I’ll call Mom immediately and tell her you’re seeing some questionable woman p>
“Vivian!” Owen’s face hardened with anger. “If you continue speaking about people like this, I’ll send you straight back to Manhattan p>
Vivian shrank back, torn between fear and frustration. Then the tears came.
She realized with horror that her brother had never defended any of his previous girlfriends this fiercely.
Aria’s POV
I had no idea my simple greeting to Owen Duncan would trigger such an argument between him and his sister Vivian. Not that I was interested in getting to know either of them better-one being a man I had no interest in, and the other being the type who stirs up drama everywhere she goes.
After walking a good distance from the outpatient clinic, my legs ached as I finally found the building where my father was staying. The elevators were packed at this hour. After waiting through two full cars, I decided to take the stairs instead, climbing all five flights while my calves burned in protest.
As I turned the corner from the stairwell, I spotted Bernard standing outside Dad’s room. The hairs on my arms stood up-something wasn’t right.
“Bernard?” I quickened my pace, my heels clicking against the polished floor. “Why are you standing out here p>
Bernard’s eyes met mine briefly before darting away, his weathered hands fidgeting with his jacket sleeve.
My stomach clenched. I peered into the room, only to find it empty. “Where’s my father?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Mr. Jones went downstairs for a walk,” Bernard replied, his gaze fixed somewhere over my shoulder.
“That’s strange. I just came up and didn’t see him anywhere.” The antiseptic smell of the hospital suddenly felt stronger, more suffocating.
“Perhaps he went to one of the small gardens. There are two of them downstairs,” Bernard suggested, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.
Dad’s condition had stabilized these past couple of days, and being in a hospital meant he was surrounded by medical professionals. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
I nodded slowly, studying Bernard’s face. “Did my father get another call from that person p>
“I-I wouldn’t know about that,” he stammered.
His reaction told me everything I needed. Dad must have sworn Bernard to secrecy,
which explained his uncomfortable demeanor. No point pressing him further.
“How long has he been gone?” I asked instead.
“Not long. He just went downstairs p>
Bernard hesitated, then added, “I came up to get his water bottle.” He seemed relieved to remember his purpose.
“You rest a bit. I’ll go find him.” I slipped into the room, grabbed Dad’s thermos, and headed back to the stairs.
As I descended, my mind raced. Dad had probably sent Bernard upstairs to take a call in private. The elevators were still crowded, so I continued down the stairs, my hand sliding along the cold metal railing.
I checked the first garden area thoroughly but found no sign of him. The second rest area across the way was less crowded, with harsh sunlight beating down on the benches.
That’s when I spotted him. Dad stood under a tree, phone pressed to his ear. I hung back, about ten feet away, hoping to catch some of his conversation. But I was too late-he had already ended the call.
His face looked drawn, knuckles white around his phone, veins protruding on the back of his hand. He gazed up at the blue sky and let out a long, heavy sigh before lowering his eyes.
“Dad!” I called out.
He jumped, startled by my voice. “Aria! What are you doing here p>
Though he smiled his usual warm smile, I detected a slight tension around his eyes. He was hiding something.
“Checking on you, of course.” I handed him the thermos. “Who were you talking to just now p>
Dad accepted the thermos, chuckling lightly. “Just Lawrence. Haven’t been to the office lately, so I asked him to bring some important documents over this afternoon p>
I didn’t call him out on the obvious lie. “Look at you, still working while you’re
supposed to be resting. You’re such a difficult patient p>
He took a sip of water and smiled without arguing back.
We chatted about Thomas Carter’s upcoming birthday celebration, with Dad asking what preparations Aiden and I had made. Not wanting to worry him with details, I simply said, “Aiden’s handling it,” and quickly changed the subject.
Before lunch even rolled around, Dad practically shooed me away. I escorted him back to his room before leaving.
The hospital parking garage was confusing as hell, and I worried about getting lost if I tried to enter from the inpatient wing’s exit. So I retraced my steps toward the outpatient clinic to access the parking garage from that side.
Talk about weird coincidences. I’d run into Owen and Vivian Duncan on my way in, and now here they were again. This time, though, Vivian had clearly been crying, trailing behind her brother with resentment written all over her face.
I had zero desire to interact with them. After a quick glance, I averted my eyes and slowed my pace, planning to wait until they passed before continuing to the garage.
Unfortunately, Vivian spotted me. Her eyes narrowed, and I watched as she silently mouthed what was unmistakably “fucking bitch” in my direction.
I lowered my gaze and pulled out my phone, pretending I hadn’t seen her charming little performance.
“Are you coming or not?” Owen snapped, his tone dripping with impatience.
Vivian shot her brother a nervous look before hurrying to catch up.
“Pull that stunt again and I’m canceling your supplementary card,” he threatened.
That shut her up instantly. “I won’t, I promise p>
I caught a whiff of their
drama-apparently she’d blown
through her monthly allowance and
had convinced Owen to drive her
the hospitalso she could fake an illness and guilt him into giving her money. Running into me earlier had somehow derailed her plan.
Once they disappeared around the corner, I continued on my way.
Friday arrived-Thomas Carter’s birthday. My stomach fluttered with nerves as I finished applying my makeup and slipped into my dress, waiting for Aiden to return so we could head to the hotel together.
The anxiety felt different this time. Before, I’d approached Thomas with confidence —maybe too much of it—but now, I felt vulnerable. My relationship with Aiden had evolved, making the stakes with his father feel higher.
During the car ride, my nerves had me completely distracted. Aiden said something beside me, but his words didn’t register My mind kept ycling through worst-case scenarios: What if Thomas Carter told me to leave? Should Lgo alone or insist Aiden come with me?
“Aria? What’s on your mind?” Aiden leaned toward me, his cologne woodsy with hints of bergamot-momentarily distracting me from my spiraling thoughts. Without thinking, I blurted out, “I was wondering if your dad asks me to leave tonight, should I go alone or drag you with me My voice trailed off as I realized what I’d said.
Oh my God. Did I seriously just say that out loud?
Heat rushed to my cheeks as I stared at Aiden in horror. “I-I didn’t mean that. You believe me, right p>
Some thoughts should stay locked in your head! Way to make things awkward, Aria.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that after marriage, instead of dealing with mother-in-law drama, I’d be struggling with my father-in-law relationship. And honestly, I understood Aiden’s position-caught between his father and me couldn’t be easy.
Plus, I had to admit I’d been a bit… confrontational during our previous meetings. I’d accidentally burned all my bridges with Thomas.
It made sense that he didn’t like me.
If I put myself in his shoes, I wouldn’t
marrying
be thrilled about my son someone without any warning
1.n
either Especially when Dinget?
leave him
someone had managed to speechless with anger during both
of our only two encounters.
Looking at it objectively, I’d be pretty annoyed with a daughter-in-law like me too.
God, I really needed to learn when to tone down the attitude.