Chapter 321
Aria’s POV
I went back to my father’s house. It wasn’t exactly my proudest moment-running away from Aiden like this-but I needed space to think.
Charles looked genuinely surprised when he saw me walk through the front door. “Miss Aria! What brings you here today p>
“Just wanted to see Dad,” I replied casually, then hesitated. “Also, I wanted to ask- has the person I mentioned been calling Dad lately p>
The concern in my voice must have convinced him I wasn’t just hiding from my husband, because his expression softened. “Your father has received quite a few calls lately, but I’m not sure if any were from that particular individual p>
I bit my lip nervously. While escaping Aiden was definitely part of my agenda today, I was genuinely worried about Dad’s situation.
“Has Dad seemed… different lately? Anything unusual p>
Charles shook his head. “Mr. Jones has been his usual self, Miss p>
“Alright. I’m going to take a nap in my old room. Tell Martha to prepare my dinner, please p>
I practically flew up the stairs to my childhood bedroom. Everything was exactly as I’d left it several months ago when I moved out. The grand piano that had accompanied me through my teenage years stood silently in the corner, covered with a dust sheet.
I pulled off the cover and opened the lid, running my fingers over the spotless keys. Even after months, not a speck of dust had settled-Dad must have had it cleaned regularly. The thought made my heart ache a little.
My bed still had the same Egyptian cotton sheets from before I left. I grabbed a tank top and shorts from my old closet, changed quickly, and collapsed onto the mattress. My whole body ached in places I didn’t know could ache, thanks to last night with Aiden. God, just thinking about it made me flush all over again.
My phone slipped from my hand and vibrated a few times, but I was already drifting off into a deep sleep.
When I finally woke up, it was already past five. I rolled over and found my phone under me. Shit-several messages from Aiden. My heart raced as I tapped to read them, feeling guilty as I saw he’d sent the address for tonight’s dinner event.
I replied with a quick emoji and typed: “Having dinner at Dad’s tonight p>
Aiden didn’t respond immediately. Probably busy with meetings. I breathed a sigh of relief and tossed my phone aside like it was burning my fingers.
Downstairs, Martha had prepared my favorite bird’s nest soup. After finishing it, I grabbed some fish food and headed to the koi pond to feed Dad’s prized collection. It felt good to fall back into old routines, watching the colorful fish dart around as I scattered the feed.
With my phone upstairs, I was blissfully unaware of any calls or messages. I took my sweet time feeding the fish until they dispersed, no longer interested once the food was gone.
The sound of a car engine caught my attention. I looked up to see Charles greeting my father at the entrance.
“Dad!” I called out, brushing my hands together and walking toward him.
My father looked surprised to see me. “What are you doing home today p>
I could read his thoughts so easily—he immediately suspected Aiden and I had fought. But he was too diplomatic to ask directly.
“Just missed you!” I wrapped my arm around his, my voice playfully childish. “How have you been feeling p>
“Never better p>
The genuine smile on my face seemed to ease his worry. Whatever concerns he had about possible marital problems disappeared as he returned my smile. “You’re staying for dinner? Where’s Aiden p>
“He has a business dinner tonight,” I replied casually.
“Wonderful!” Dad seemed truly pleased as we walked into the house together. While
he changed his shoes, I went to get him a glass of water.
“I haven’t stayed overnight in so long,” I ventured. “I thought I might sleep here tonight p>
And just like that, the worry lines returned to his forehead.
He accepted the water glass from me with a concerned look. “Sweetheart, if Aiden has a business dinner, he’ll likely be drinking. Shouldn’t you be home to take care of him afterward p>
Damn it. I hadn’t thought of that angle.
My cheeks flushed with guilt. I didn’t want Dad to suspect anything was wrong, so I quickly backed down. “You’re right. I guess I wasn’t thinking p>
Dinner was amazing—Martha had prepared all my favorites. Afterward, Dad and I took a walk around the estate grounds, enjoying the cool evening air.
When we returned, he set up the chess board, challenging me to a game like he used to when I was younger. I lost in under ten minutes.
“Your mind is elsewhere,” he teased.
I grimaced, realizing I’d been wondering about my phone upstairs. It had been nearly three hours since I’d checked it, and I had no idea if Aiden had messaged me back.
Dad checked his watch. “It’s after eight. I’ll have Frank drive you home p>
I nodded, not daring to argue.
As I was sipping my water, Charles appeared at the doorway. “Sir, ma’am Mr. Carter has arrived p>
My hand trembled so badly I nearly spilled water down my front. I looked up and immediately locked eyes with Aiden’s intense gaze.
My heart seemed to stop for a second before racing wildly in my chest. How did he always manage to look so calm and collected while I turned into a nervous wreck?
Aiden walked unhurriedly to my side and sat down next to me.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, feeling cornered and embarrassed.
“Taking you home.” His voice was low and controlled, but I could hear the firmness beneath it.
Dad, with all his years of marriage experience, clearly read the situation. “Since Aiden’s here, you won’t need Frank to drive you. It’s getting late—you two should head home p>
I nodded meekly. “I’ll just run upstairs and get my phone p>
I sprinted up the stairs to my
childhood bedroom, heart racing like I’d just been caught sneaking out at sixteen. Not that Dad suspected anything. How could he know Kwas basically hiding from my own husband because last night I’d gotten tipsy and God, I couldn’t
even think about it without feeling my face heat up.
My phone was lying abandoned on my bed. Five missed calls and seven text
messages from Aiden. I swallowed hard and scrolled through them.
“Dinner meeting at 8. The Churchill Hotel. I want you there p>
“Aria, where are you p>
“You’re not answering your phone p>
“Did you seriously run off to your father’s house p>
“Fine. Enjoy your dinner with Benjamin. I’ll be there after my meeting p>
“You can’t avoid me forever, sweetheart. We both know you enjoyed last night as much as I did p>
“That sound you made when I touched you in the shower… I can’t stop thinking
about it p>
I dropped the phone like it had
burned me. Memories from last night crashed through my mind-my uninhibited behavior, the things I’d said to him, the way I’d begged of God. How was I supposed to face him now?
It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy it. That was the problem. I’d enjoyed it too much. I’d been completely out of control, and Aiden had seen every desperate, needy part of me.
“Running away to Daddy’s house? That’s cute p>
I jumped, nearly tripping over my
own feet. Aiden stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame with that infuriating smirk playing on his lips. He looked devastatingly handsome in his charcoal suit, his tie slightly loosened after his business dinner.