Chapter 86
Aria’s POV
I woke up the next morning to find my phone blinking with notifications. Unlocking it,
I saw several messages from Lillian sent last night.
Lillian: So Aiden was back? Some wife you are, not even knowing when your own husband returns!
Lillian: No worries, just explain to the police! I overreacted!
Lillian: Hello?
Lillian: [Where are you.JPG]
Lillian: Gotcha. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I’ll leave you two alone!
My face flushed hot remembering last night as I typed back that I’d just woken up. Lillian replied instantly: Was it a night of three hundred rounds of battle?
1: p>
Thinking about our “battle” from last night, my cheeks burned even redder as I quickly changed the subject.
After sitting in bed contemplating life for a while, I finally got up to shower. By the time I made it downstairs, it was already past nine. Having gone to sleep at 1 AM, I was exhausted, yawning as I descended the stairs.
The mansion was eerily quiet. I headed toward the kitchen where Lucy immediately brought out breakfast when she saw me.
“Thank you,” I said gratefully. “How was Mr. Carter’s-I mean, Aiden’s appetite this morning p>
Lucy placed a stack of hash browns on the table. “Mr. Carter’s appetite was about the same as usual p>
I nodded, “What time did he leave p>
Then, feeling self-conscious, I added: “I slept in today, so I didn’t see when he got up p>
Lucy didn’t seem to think anything of it. After all, being on vacation, it made sense I’d sleep late. “Mr. Carter left at 8:30 p>
So early.
I nodded again, feeling relieved to confirm Aiden had gone to work. The charity concert drama had finally died down, though I’d been receiving calls from unknown numbers for days. I never answered unfamiliar calls—with all the phone scams these days, who would?
Little did I know those calls were from Thomas Carter’s assistant.
Aiden’s POV
I was in my office going through reports when my phone rang. It was my uncle, Thomas.
The moment I picked up, his voice thundered through the line, raw with anger. “Aiden, you have three months. Divorce her p>
I leaned back in my chair, my tone cool, almost bored. “And if I refuse p>
“Then I’ll no longer consider you my nephew!” His fury was so sharp it practically vibrated through the phone.
I let out a quiet, humorless laugh. “Then don’t. After all, you have your own son, don’t you p>
There was a short, furious exhale on the other end—and then he hung up without another word.
I stared at the dark screen for a moment before my lips curved into a mocking smile. Typical Thomas.
That was when Lucas walked in. He froze for half a beat, sensing the tension in the air. Then he straightened his posture, voice carefully neutral. “Mr. Carter, there’s a gala this Friday hosted by Millennium Group. Would you like to attend p>
I glanced at the invitation on my desk. “No p>
“Understood.” He nodded and turned to leave, clearly relieved I wasn’t about to bite his head off.
But just as he reached the door, I said, “Wait p>
He turned back immediately. “Yes, sir p>
“Does this gala require a female companion?” I asked, keeping my tone casual.
He blinked, clearly confused, but answered professionally. “Yes, but… given your position, no one would dare say anything if you went alone p>
I picked up the invitation, turning it once between my fingers. “Send this home with a message for my wife. I expect her to accompany me to the gala p>
Lucas actually looked startled before quickly schooling his expression.
“Is there a problem?” I asked, my voice edged with steel.
“No problem at all, sir. I’ll deliver it to Mrs. Carter immediately p>
“Good p>
He left in a hurry.
Aria’s POV
When I received the invitation, I thought this would be my chance to fulfill my wifely duties. Before I could even say anything, the messenger informed me: “Mrs. Carter, Lucas has already arranged for your dress and shoes You’ll need to set aside. two hours before the event for styling p>
Aiden’s team was so thoughtful. I’d expected to do a lot of preparation for this gala,
but apparently all I needed to do was show up.
After the messenger left, I couldn’t help complaining to Lillian over text.
Me: I was ready to put in some effort, but turns out I’m completely useless.
Lillian: Aria, are you sure you’re not just humble-bragging about your perfect husband?
Wait, was I?
I thought about it and felt strangely guilty.
I sent an emoji instead of directly answering her question.
That evening when Aiden came home and brought up Friday’s gala, I commented on how thoughtful his secretary was.
Hearing this, Aiden paused while unbuttoning his collar, turning to look at me playing my game on the sofa. “Thoughtful p>
I was concentrating on my game but responded automatically: “Yeah, everything’s been prepared. I don’t need to think about or prepare anything. Makes me feel a bit guilty actually p>
What kind of wife was I if I had nothing to do?
“Guilty about what?” Aiden loosened his collar and casually sat down beside me.
I was in the middle of a team fight, barely glancing at him. I scooted over slightly to
make room as I answered: “Just feeling like I’m not very useful p>
“Someone’s hiding in the bushes on the left,” his deep voice warned.
Sure enough, an enemy champion jumped out from the left bushes.
Thankfully, I’d pulled back after hearing Aiden’s warning, or I would’ve been killed again.
“Thanks, saved me there,” I said, turning to look at Aiden.
That’s when I realized how close he was sitting. His thigh was pressed against
mine, and I could feel his body heat radiating through our clothes.
My scalp tingled with awareness. Suddenly, my left hand grew warm as Aiden covered it with his own. “Focus or you’ll lose,” he murmured, guiding my hand to move my
character back under the safety of
the tower.
His reminder snapped me back to reality, and I forced myself to concentrate on the
game.
Another team fight erupted, and I no longer had the mental capacity to worry about
how close Aiden and I were sitting.
With Aiden occasionally offering advice, I only died twice this round.
When the game ended, I proudly showed him my score: “I got MVP p>
“Impressive,” he said, his eyes fixed on me.
That’s when I realized I was practically sitting in his lap.
Suddenly flustered, my hand trembled slightly as I held my phone.
My ears burned red, the blush spreading quickly across my cheeks and face.
No way!
I bit my lip, placing my hand on the sofa to discreetly create some distance between
us.
Unfortunately, my hand slipped on
the smooth leather surface. Just as I started to stand, I lost my balance
and landed on the fl floor Cushion my. head tipping forward and bumping right into Aiden’s thigh.
I swear I was just trying to move away a little! I had no other intentions!
I sheepishly looked up, unexpectedly meeting his dark eyes. Biting my lip, I
swallowed nervously: “I… lost my balance p>
Yeah, like he’d believe that.
Aiden stared at my crimson earlobes, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly: “Did you
hurt yourself p>
“No p>
I quickly stood up, steadying myself against the coffee table. My backside was
throbbing with pain, but I was too embarrassed to rub it, so I just endured it. “It’s getting late, I should go to bed p>
Aiden didn’t call me out on my obvious excuse: “Goodnight p>
“Goodnight p>
I bent down to pick up my phone. As I raised my hand, my pinky accidentally
brushed against the back of his hand resting on his leg.
I instinctively curled my finger away, gripped my phone tightly, and hurried back to
my room.