Chapter 102
Aria’s POV
I could feel the tension in the air as that woman shot me a glance before turning to Madison with fake sweetness dripping from her voice.
“Madison, didn’t you say Liam just got back from his business trip today? Will he really be able to pick you up p>
Madison smiled coolly. “He’s already on his way p>
Beside me, Lillian was rolling up her sleeves, ready to start a fight. I felt anger bubbling inside me too, but I noticed how many people were crowded around us waiting for the rain to stop. Getting into a cat fight here would only create a spectacle.
“Lillian, let it go,” I murmured, trying to calm my friend down.
“No way! I’m going to rip that bitch’s mouth off!” Lillian hissed back.
Just as the words left her mouth, a sleek black Mercedes pulled up through the curtain of rain. Everyone waiting at the mall entrance instinctively turned to look, admiration clear on their faces.
“Wow, someone’s living the dream! Getting picked up in a Mercedes p>
“Damn, whose boyfriend is that? He’s gorgeous p>
“Oh my God, this is straight out of a romance drama p>
Through the downpour, Liam opened a black umbrella and walked toward us. Lillian made a disgusted noise.
“What a piece of shit,” she muttered.
I only spared him a single glance before looking away. I had zero desire to see Liam again—even exchanging a single word with him felt like a waste of my time and energy.
Liam quickly approached us, heading straight for Madison. Most people who’d been watching now turned to her with envy written all over their faces.
“Aww, they’re perfect together! So gorgeous p>
“Having a hot boyfriend is one thing, but having one who shows up the moment you call during a rainstorm? That’s next-level relationship goals p>
Madison basked in the admiring glances and comments as she stepped under Liam’s umbrella. As she took his arm, she shot Anne a meaningful look.
Anne immediately glanced in my direction and spoke up. “Mr. White, Aria is here too. Perhaps you could give her a ride as well p>
Liam’s expression flickered momentarily. He turned around, his eyes quickly finding me in the crowd.
“Aria,” he said, his voice tight with restraint.
Suddenly being thrust into the spotlight, I wanted to die. I regretted stopping Lillian from confronting Anne earlier.
Before Liam could say anything else, Madison stepped in with fake generosity. “Mrs. Carter, would you like us to drop you off somewhere p>
“No need. Someone’s coming for me,” I replied coldly.
The moment I finished speaking, that irritating Anne piped up again. “Why be so stubborn, Mrs. Carter? Didn’t you just say Mr. Carter is at a business dinner and can’t pick you up in time p>
She deliberately emphasized “can’t pick you up,” her voice dripping with mockery.
I was about to snap back when my phone suddenly rang. Glancing at the caller ID, I felt a surge of defiance. I answered immediately, making my voice deliberately soft and sweet.
“Hey, honey p>
My unexpected term of endearment seemed to affect Aiden on the other end. I could hear him pausing before his deep voice came through, “Where are you p>
I hadn’t planned exactly how to get
Aiden to play along with my little act, but his direct question made ite simple. “At Vintage Mall,” I replied, slightly nervous.
“I see. I’ll be there,” he said simply before hanging up.
He hadn’t explicitly said he was coming to get me, just that he understood. But that was enough for me to continue my charade!
I put my phone away and smiled sweetly at Liam and Madison. “My husband will be here shortly. No need to trouble yourselves p>
Liam’s face visibly paled when he heard me say “husband.” He stared at me, his
eyes filled with what seemed like a thousand unspoken words.
Madison’s perfectly composed facade was starting to crack. “Well, that’s good. We should be going then p>
“Mm-hmm,” I hummed dismissively.
But Liam didn’t move. “It’s fine, we’re not in a hurry. We’ll wait until Mr. Carter arrives. What if he can’t make it p>
Lillian heard this and spat out, “You think everyone’s unreliable like you? Always going back on their word! When Mr. Carter says he’ll come, he definitely will! You don’t need to pretend to be nice Drive away unless you want to get struck by lightning with all those guilty secrets of yours p>
After Lillian’s outburst, both Liam and Madison looked embarrassed.
Our little drama wasn’t particularly loud, but it wasn’t quiet either.
When Liam had first arrived, he’d already attracted attention, and as we continued to linger, people around us gradually picked up on the juicy gossip unfolding.
Some who could have left stayed deliberately to watch the show.
I deliberately avoided looking at Liam, trying to appear completely unbothered. Of
course, inside I was absolutely freaking out.
No matter what, I had to keep up this act!
Just as I was wondering how to save face if Aiden didn’t show up, someone in the crowd exclaimed, “Another luxury car! A Maybach p>
I instinctively looked up. Through the pouring rain, a man with a black umbrella was walking slowly toward me.
For a moment, my entire world went silent. All I could see was Aiden. God, this man was absolutely gorgeous.
Before he even reached me-still
two or three yards away-I rushed out from the crowd. I practically flew into his arms. Aiden held the
umbrella with one hand and
wrapped his other arm around me.
“You’re getting wet,” he murmured.
Breathing in his familiar woody scent, I looked up into those dark eyes, feeling both embarrassed and bold. “It doesn’t matter. I just want to go home p>
His dark eyes deepened, and the arm around my waist tightened slightly.
Even though he knew I was putting on an act, he was hopelessly falling into the role.
Aiden held me close as he turned, guiding me back through the rain toward the waiting Maybach.
We didn’t say a word to each other, yet it felt like we’d said everything.
Total victory.It must be a crushing blow for the ex.I thought.