Chapter 299
Aria’s POV
I woke to brilliant sunlight streaming through the windows. Squinting against the brightness, I raised a hand to shield my eyes and reached for my phone on the bedside table.
When I saw the time, any lingering sleepiness vanished instantly. Eight-thirty already! Memories of our passionate night together flooded back, sending a delicious, private heat rushing to my cheeks. The intensity of our connection, the raw emotion in his eyes as he’d looked at me it all made my heart race even now, a thrilling, secret rhythm.
After a quick, solitary breakfast, I told Nanny I’d be back for lunch, then headed straight for the hospital. Dad was scheduled for a complete physical today, a crucial step before his stent placement surgery, which would hopefully be set for next Tuesday if all his tests checked out okay.
When I arrived at his hospital room, a nurse informed me he was already at the examination center. After getting precise directions, I hurried over, my bag clutched in hand.
Being Saturday, the center was bustling, crowded with patients and their families. I navigated through the labyrinthine corridors, searching several waiting areas before finally spotting our family driver, Mr. Jackson.
“Mr. Jackson!” I called out, my voice cutting through the subdued murmur of the
room.
“Ma’am!” He straightened up immediately, a little too quickly for an elderly man.
I offered him a small, reassuring smile. “How much longer does Dad have for his tests p>
“Not many left, Ma’am. He’s been at it since nine this morning p>
I took the examination form from Mr. Jackson’s hands and scanned it quickly. Only a CT scan and an ultrasound remained.
Noticing how long Mr. Jackson had been standing, I worried about his aging legs and back. “Why don’t you head back to the room and rest? I’ll stay with Dad for the rest of his appointments p>
Just as I sent him off, Dad emerged from one of the examination rooms, his face lighting up with a mixture of surprise and genuine joy when he saw me.
“You’re here so early?” he asked, his voice softened by affection.
I gave him a sheepish look, a genuine smile spreading across my face. “It’s not that early, Dad. It’s already ten-thirty p>
He chuckled, a warm, familiar sound. “How was last night p>
I knew he felt bad about missing Thomas Carter’s sixtieth birthday celebration. Though Dad had heard rumors about Thomas’s disapproval of me, Aiden had promised him it wouldn’t be an issue, so Dad had reluctantly let it go. Still, I could tell he worried, deep down, about how I’d been treated at the party.
“It went fine,” I said, mixing truth with careful omission. “We didn’t stay long though.” I hesitated, then added softly, “Yesterday was also the anniversary of Mrs. Carter’s passing… Katherine’s passing p>
Dad paused, his cheerful demeanor dimming slightly, emotion flickering across his kind face. He gave my hand a gentle, understanding pat.
“I knew the story, or at least parts of it,” he began, his voice a low rumble. “After Alex and his wife died, Aiden had been taken in by his uncle Thomas and his wife, Katherine. Katherine had been known for her incredible kindness and grace, but she hadn’t been blessed with good health. She developed breast cancer in her thirties and passed away before forty p>
“There had been rumors-nasty ones-suggesting Katherine’s death wasn’t entirely natural, especially since it happened on Thomas’s birthday. A very dark time for the Carters p>
“You should spend more time with Aiden these days,” Dad said gently, his eyes softening. “He’s been through a lot p>
I nodded, my heart aching with a fresh wave of tenderness for Aiden. “I will, Dad p>
The thought of Aiden working on a Saturday, after everything we’d been through yesterday, after that intensely emotional visit to Katherine’s grave, made my heart ache. Poor guy couldn’t seem to catch a break.
When Dad’s name was called over the intercom, I brought my attention back to the present. “Dad, it’s your turn. Give me your phone, I’ll hold it for you p>
Dad handed me his phone and went into the CT room. Once the heavy door closed behind him, I waited a few seconds before looking down at his phone I hated snooping, truly, but was worried about whoever had upset him badly enough to cause his sudden collapse. They were like a ticking time bomb I needed to defuse before another explosion, another health scare.
To my disappointment, the call history was completely empty-obviously cleared that morning. Dad was hiding something serious, shielding me from it.
When he emerged fifteen minutes later, I handed his phone back, feigning an air of casual indifference, as if nothing had happened. I linked my arm through his, squeezing gently. “Dad, we haven’t visited Mom’s grave in a long time p>
He paused, a flicker of raw emotion crossing his face before he composed himself. “We’ll go see your mother once I’m discharged, sweetheart p>
“I’d like that,” I replied softly, my gaze meeting his.
After we returned to his hospital room, I was explaining to Mr. Jackson that the test results wouldn’t be available until Monday morning when a soft knock at the door interrupted us.
Thinking it was the doctor making rounds, I looked up expectantly. “Doc”
The word died on my lips when I saw who it was.
Dad spotted our visitor too, a surprised, pleased smile spreading across his face. “Aiden, what brings you here p>
Aiden nodded respectfully to Dad, his gaze warm and deferential. “Just finished a meeting nearby and thought I’d stop by to see how you’re doing, sir p>
Then his eyes found mine, those
piercing, intelligent eyes, and his lips. curved into that familiar, devastating into smile that still made my stomach flutter with a delicious warmth He walked directly to my side before addressing Dad again. “Have you completed all your tests, sir p>
“Just finished. You shouldn’t have come all this way when you’re so busy, son, And Aria doesn’t need to keep visiting either. The doctors say It’s nothing serious,” Dad replied, trying to sound nonchalant but faiting to hide his obvious.pleasure at Aiden’s presence.
Aiden smiled gently, a hint of tenderness in his eyes as he looked at me. “Aria just
worries about you, sir p>
That warmed Dad’s heart visibly. He laughed, a light, self-deprecating sound. “Getting old isn’t fun—the body just doesn’t work like it used to p>
“Minor issues, sir. You’re still going strong,” Aiden assured him, his respect genuine.
Not long after Aiden arrived, it was time for Dad’s lunch to be delivered. After his meal was placed before him, Dad practically shooed us out the door, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
“It’s a beautiful weekend! Go enjoy yourselves, don’t waste it here with an old man p>