Chapter 311
Author’s POV
The combination of the warm shower earlier and the intensely intimate phone call left Aria deliciously drowsy, utterly sated. She curled up on their bed, listening to the persistent rain against the windows, its steady drumming a lulling rhythm, and drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Aria’s deep slumber lasted until past five in the afternoon, and the rain continued its soft, melancholic patter outside when she finally stirred awake. On her phone, several missed calls blinked-one from Benjamin Jones, and two from an unknown number.
Aria was about to dial back when a text message from Owen Duncan popped up on her screen: Your car has been sent to the dealership for repairs. It will take three working days to fix.
Aria quickly replied: Okay, thank you.
Almost immediately, another message from Owen followed: My secretary tried calling you about this. No need to return the call.
Aria typed another succinct response: Okay, thank you. Owen.
The next morning brought the official news: Benjamin Jones’s surgery had been scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at three o’clock. Aria called Aiden that evening to update him.
“You don’t need to rush back, Aiden,” she assured him, trying to sound as unconcerned as possible. “The doctor says it’s a very minor procedure p>
“Mmm,” he responded softly, a noncommittal hum that she knew masked his own
concern.
Their conversation drifted to other topics, his voice a comforting presence. But Aria intentionally cut it short. She had only learned about the ongoing crisis at Corporation from the morning news, and knowing the immense pressure Aiden was currently under, she didn’t want to take up any more of his valuable time with her own, comparatively trivial, concerns.
“I’m hanging up now, Aiden. Get some rest too,” she said quickly, ending the call before he could protest. She knew he wouldn’t hang up first. Her heart, though, still yearned for his presence, a quiet ache that would persist until he was back in her
arms.
Aiden looked at his phone screen, which now displayed “Call Ended,” and couldn’t help but chuckle softly to himself.
“Lucas,” he called, turning to his assistant. “Please reschedule my flight for tomorrow to noon p>
Lucas nodded instantly. “Yes, Mr. Carter p>
Aiden waved a dismissive hand. “Arrange the car. Ten minutes, then back to the hotel.” He couldn’t shake the almost urgent need to be back with his wife.
Aria’s POV
I felt my heart skip a beat when I spotted Aiden walking toward me in the hospital waiting area. I blinked several times, convinced my tired mind was playing tricks on
me.
“You’re back? How?” I stammered, words tumbling out in a rush of surprise and concern. “I told you not to rush home! What about the company crisis? I saw the news reports and p>
Aiden silenced my rambling with a kiss, his arms wrapping around me with reassuring strength. My worry dissolved momentarily against his lips, replaced by the warm certainty of his presence.
We settled into the uncomfortable hospital chairs, watching the electronic display board where my father’s name had just appeared with the status “Surgery in Progress.” Dad’s minor heart procedure would only take about an hour, but waiting for those sixty minutes felt like torture. I’d been at the hospital since early morning after a rushed breakfast, missing my usual afternoon nap. Despite leaning against Aiden’s shoulder, sleep remained impossible as my eyes stayed fixed on that glowing screen.
“How did your car suddenly break down on Monday?” Aiden asked, gently redirecting my attention with a squeeze of my hand.
I turned from the monitor to meet his gaze. “Still don’t know. It’s at the dealership-I
haven’t picked it up yet p>
“You took a taxi here today p>
“Mmhmm p>
He massaged my palm softly, his touch warm and comforting. “Aren’t there two
other cars in the garage you could have used p>
“Couldn’t find the keys,” I admitted, feeling heat rise to my cheeks.
A soft chuckle rumbled through his chest. “They’re in the study. I told you before, remember p>
“I forgot,” I said, though the truth was
I hadn’t really registered that
information when he first mentioned it. Back when our marriage was just
a contractual arrangemen
T I hadn’t
felt entitled to use his luxury vehicles worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. The thought of accidentally
scratching one had seemed
terrifying then. Now I felt silly for
taking a taxi instead.
Aiden studied my expression, reading me perfectly. “Forgot? Or never really thought
they were yours to use p>
My face flushed instantly. Caught. I nuzzled against him, seeking refuge. “You already knew the answer… why ask p>
He gazed down at me, amusement dancing in his eyes as I nestled closer. “Then I won’t ask anymore p>
I glanced up at him through my lashes. “Won’t this sudden trip home cause problems for your business deals p>
“The critical matters are resolved,” he replied confidently. “Lucas can handle the remaining details p>
“Oh.” I looked down at our intertwined fingers and smiled softly. “Aiden, you’re really good to me p>
His low laugh sent vibrations through his chest. “Is that the bar? Just ‘good p>
I lifted my gaze to meet his dark eyes, feeling something flutter in my chest. “Yes p>
He smiled but didn’t comment further on my assessment.
“Did you get wet when your car broke down?” he asked suddenly, returning to a question I’d dodged during our phone call.
I cringed slightly, knowing I couldn’t evade him this time. “A little,” I admitted, meeting his knowing@gaze. “But was wearing long sleeves and pants, so it wasn’t too bad
“Good,” he replied with a casual nod before asking, “You mentioned a friend drove
you home, but what happened to your car p>
I knew he understood how much that car meant to me-it had been Dad’s birthday gift. “His secretary waited for the tow truck p>
“Secretary?” Something flickered in Aiden’s eyes as he stroked my hair. “Sounds like a good friend p>
“Mmm,” I nodded, then clarified, “We’re not actually that close. Remember that night about a month ago when someone blocked my car on the street p>
“Paul Garcia?” Aiden’s tone darkened slightly.
“No, not him,” I corrected. “Owen Duncan. The sick one p>
“Ah.” Aiden’s expression shifted subtly. “We should invite him for dinner sometime,
to thank him p>
“That would be nice p>
I glanced at the clock, realizing thirty minutes had already passed. My eyes darted
back to the monitor where Dad’s status remained unchanged “Surgery in Progress p>
Aiden squeezed my hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry p>
I stared at him for a long moment, vulnerability creeping into my voice. “I’m scared p>
“I’m right here, Mrs. Carter,” he murmured, pulling me into his embrace.
I sank against him without
hesitation, no longer caring who
might see us in the public waiting room. In that moment of uncertainty, with my mind in chaos, the only thing that mattered was the solid warmth of his body against mine.