Chapter 313
Aria’s POV
Aiden had rushed back without even eating lunch properly. Now that the surgery was successful, Dad naturally didn’t want us hanging around his hospital room all day.
“Make sure you rest, Dad, and call me if you need anything!” I added.
I turned to Charles. “Don’t let any visitors in for the next couple of days, no matter who they are. Don’t even tell Dad about them p>
“I understand, Miss. You and Mr. Carter should go home and rest. I’ll keep an eye on your father p>
Charles had been with my family for years, so I trusted him completely.
“Thank you. Contact me immediately if there’s any problem p>
“Of course p>
After giving Charles my instructions, I glanced at Aiden.
He looked at my father. “Dad, rest well. Aria and I are heading home now p>
“Good, good. Drive safely p>
I glanced at Dad’s phone, tempted to mention the mysterious calls, but decided against it.
As Aiden and I left the hospital room, I couldn’t help asking, “Do you think that person might call Dad now p>
It was just a passing thought-obviously Aiden couldn’t possibly know the answer.
“Unless they’re a complete idiot, they won’t contact Dad at a time like this p>
I thought about it and realized he was right.
Whatever this person wanted, they clearly wanted something. Making Dad’s condition worse wouldn’t help them get it.
That thought eased my worries a bit.
We took a taxi home from the hospital.
Lucy seemed surprised to see us return together. “Mrs. Carter, Mr. Carter p>
I smiled at her. “Lucy, could you make some soup tonight? I’m craving it p>
“Of course! I’ll start preparing it right away p>
Aiden handed me a glass of water. I took a sip, about to ask if he wanted to rest, when “You”
A massive yawn interrupted me mid-sentence.
Embarrassed, I covered my mouth until it passed. “Do you want to get some sleep p>
Aiden gently touched my cheek. “I’m not tired. You should go rest p>
I was exhausted. I’d felt sleepy in the waiting room but couldn’t fall asleep despite leaning against Aiden’s shoulder because I was too worried about Dad.
“I’ll go lie down then p>
“Go ahead p>
I finished my water and handed the glass back to him.
“Get some sleep,” he said.
I glanced at the glass in his hand, my lips curving into a small smile before I turned and headed upstairs.
I woke with a jolt when my alarm blared. For a second, I just stared at the ceiling,
my hand instinctively flying to my chest where my heart hammered wildly.
What a strange dream.
In it, I was Aiden’s “first love.” We’d been sitting on an old garden wall at night, with Aiden confiding in me about his family. He’d said things. that felt so real-how he couldn’t understand why his godmother had burned all their memories before she died. How his uncle, who once seemed to love someone named Katherine so deeply, married Grace barely three years after Katherine left. How he couldn’t accept his uncle’s betrayal when he looked at his cousin who was barely five years younger than himself.
God, it was so vivid! Me and Aiden climbing walls and having deep conversations under the stars? Seriously? must be going crazy, with jealousy, trying to replace his first love even in my dreams!
“Awake p>
That familiar deep voice startled me. I reflexively pulled the blanket up to cover myself, then realized how stupid that was and pushed it back down.
I sat up in bed, desperate to change the subject. “Is Lucy done with dinner p>
He chuckled. “How long do you think you’ve been asleep p>
I felt my face heat with embarrassment. Looking at his features, I couldn’t help
asking: “Aiden, do you like climbing walls p>
“What?” His brow furrowed slightly.
“Nothing,” I said quickly, looking away. “Just asking randomly p>
Aiden definitely didn’t seem like the wall-climbing type! Was I still stuck in that dream? Did I actually believe wed climbed walls together and had late-night chats?
“Had a dream?” he asked suddenly.
I froze. “How did you know p>
“You dreamed about climbing walls with me p>
Was Aiden some kind of mind-controlling demon? How could he possibly know what
I’d dreamed about? This man was terrifying!
I blinked, reaching out to poke his face. “Aiden p>
“Yes?” He watched me with amused eyes, waiting.
“You’re actually a demon, are you p>
He laughed out loud. “Why would I be a demon p>
“You even know what dreams I’m having. Are you sure you’re not a demon in
disguise p>
He raised an eyebrow. “Why specifically a demon p>
My face burned hotter, and I avoided his gaze, my eyes dropping to his shirt collar.
“Because… you’re kind of sexy like one p>
Aiden’s lips curved into a meaningful smile. “How sexy exactly p>
Looking into those smiling eyes, I unconsciously pressed my thighs together, feeling
a familiar wetness beginning between my legs.
Breathing in his woody scent, I asked impulsively: “Aiden, do you think we’ve known each other before? Like, a long time ago p>
He just smiled, not answering. His hand brushed my hair aside before settling on my
waist, effortlessly pulling me into his arms.
“I forgot to buy you a gift while I was away,” he said softly.
“It’s fine,” I replied, surprised. “You came back for me. That’s enough p>
“No, it’s not fine.” He gazed down at me, his voice dropping lower. “Let me make it
up to you, Mrs. Carter p>
With that, his hand moved to cup the back of my head, tilting my face up as he captured my lips in a demanding kiss.