Chapter 81
Aria’s POV
I woke up the next morning with the contract still sitting on my bedside table.
Groggy and still half-asleep, I stared at it for a long moment, remembering the way Aiden had silently placed it there before leaving for work.
“This is ridiculous,” I muttered, reaching for my phone.
I dialed Aiden’s number, determined to refuse this extravagant “gift.” My fingers trembled slightly as I waited for him to pick up.
“Good morning, Aria,” his deep voice answered, somehow even more attractive over the phone. “Did you sleep well p>
“I can’t accept this contract,” I said, getting straight to the point. “It’s too much, Aiden. That transfer agreement is worth millions p>
He sighed on the other end. “It’s just money, Aria. And it’s something I want to do for you p>
“But I don’t need it. I don’t want someone to think I married you for your money p>
“Nobody who knows you would ever think that,” he replied softly.
We argued back and forth for nearly twenty minutes. I was surprised by how stubborn he could be, but I refused to back down.
Finally, after explaining that I valued our relationship more than any financial gain, he relented.
“Fine,” he said, his voice a mixture of exasperation and admiration. “But this conversation isn’t over. I still want to provide for you p>
“You already do,” I assured him. “More than you know p>
“I’ll see you tonight,” he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice before he hung up.
After a quick shower, I made my way to the music room. Playing always helped clear my head, and after yesterday’s drama, I needed some clarity.
My fingers moved over the keys, coaxing out a melody that started tentatively but grew more confident with each note.
I lost myself in the music, letting everything else fade away. Time disappeared as my hands danced across the keyboard, pouring all my emotions into the song.
When I finally finished, I was startled by the buzzing of my phone. Looking at the screen, I saw my father’s name.
“Dad?” I answered quickly.
“I just heard about the performance,” he said, concern evident in his voice. “Are you okay, sweetie? Did something happen p>
“I’m fine, really. It wasn’t a big deal,” I assured him. “Everything’s been resolved already p>
“It was Aiden who helped, wasn’t it?” Dad asked, sounding relieved but also something else—proud, maybe? “He’s looking out for you. That’s good. You should appreciate him, Aria. When someone treats you well, you need to return the kindness p>
My face heated instantly as memories of last night with Aiden flashed through my mind—his hands on my body, his lips against my skin, the way he’d whispered my
name p>
“I-I know, Dad,” I stammered, desperate to change the subject before my embarrassment became obvious even over the phone. “How’s your back feeling lately? Still giving you trouble p>
“Same as always,” he chuckled. “That’s what happens when you get old. Don’t worry about me, I’m fine. You should bring Aiden over for dinner sometime soon p>
“We will,” I promised. “Please take care of yourself, Dad. Remember to eat on time.” “Yes, yes, I know,” he laughed. “I’ll hang up now p>
“Bye, Dad p>
“Bye p>
I set my phone down, smiling. Dad sounded good—happier than he’d been in a while.
Meanwhile, Aiden’s POV
I sat in my office at Carter Enterprises, reviewing quarterly projections when my phone buzzed with notifications from our group chat. My college friends were having a field day at my expense.
“@Aiden Carter, when did you become such a horny bastard?” Ryan Matthews wrote, attaching a screenshot of a flirty comment I’d liked without thinking I’m very easy to please especially in bed
Ryan was the CEO of Matthews Media Group, one of the largest advertising firms
on the East Coast. We’d been friends since our Harvard days.
“Dude, were you drunk?” Ethan Reynolds chimed in. Ethan was the second son of Reynolds family.
“Look who finally showed his true colors,” added Michael Miller, my third musketeer from college who now headed Miller Tech Innovations.
I clicked my tongue and typed back: “You’re all single. You wouldn’t understand p>
The response was immediate and identical from all three:
“We’re single, so we wouldn’t understand how marriage turns you into a horndog p>
I scanned their messages and didn’t bother replying. Let them be jealous.
I smirked and went back to my work, signing off on a merger that would expand our operations into Southeast Asia.
By six, I’d cleared my schedule and headed home, thoughts of Aria pulling me like gravity.
Lucas had texted that he’d handled the Diana Hayes situation completely—her pitiful attempt at playing victim had backfired spectacularly.
When I arrived home, the smell of dinner greeted me. Our housekeeper, Mr. Smith, was setting the table.
“Where’s Mrs. Carter?” I asked, loosening my tie.
“She fell asleep in Master bedroom,” Mr. Smith replied. “Should I wake her for dinner p>
“No, I’ll do it,” I said, already heading upstairs.
I found Aria curled up on the leather couch, a book about Mozart fallen open on the
carpet beside her.
Her face was peaceful in sleep, long lashes resting against her cheeks, lips slightly parted. Something tightened in my chest as watched. her breathe softly. fo
I couldn’t stop myself from leaning down and pressing my lips against hers, gently at
first, then with more urgency as she began to stir.
Her eyes fluttered open, confusion quickly melting into recognition, then something
warmer as she reached up to pull me closer.
“Dinner’s ready,” I whispered against her lips.
“Okay,” she murmured drowsily, her fingers still tangled in my hair.
We made our way downstairs, her hand in mine. As we settled at the dining table, I studied her face while she took her first bite.
“Do you want this to be the end of it?” I asked casually, though the question was anything but.
Aria caught my meaning immediately. “Is Diana up to something else p>
“James Hayes’s secretary called Lucas today. They want to arrange a dinner-an apology from Diana to you personally p>
Aria pressed her lips together thoughtfully. “Would I seem ungracious if I declined p>
“My dear wife,” I said, reaching across to take her hand, “you can be as ungracious as you like p>