Chapter 43
Aria’s POV
I couldn’t take my eyes off the beautiful piano.
My fingers continued gliding over the keys, playing through my favorite pieces one after another. Time seemed to disappear until I finally remembered I should thank
Aiden.
Pulling out my phone, I called him, my heart racing with excitement.
“Hello?” His deep voice sent a pleasant shiver down my spine.
“Aiden, I… I found your gift. It’s incredible. I don’t know what to say p>
“You like it?” I could hear the satisfaction in his tone.
“Like it? I love it! But how did you know? How did you know this exact model was the one I wanted p>
There was a brief pause on the other end. “I have my ways p>
“Seriously, Aiden. This specific Steinway—I looked at it last year. How could you possibly know that p>
Instead of answering, he smoothly changed the subject. “Have you started moving your things yet p>
“Moving my—” I stopped, suddenly remembering. “Oh my God, that’s today! I completely forgot I was supposed to officially move in today p>
His low chuckle made my stomach flutter. “Should I send someone to help? Lucas could arrange p>
“No, no,” I cut in quickly. “I’ve already packed everything. It’s just a few suitcases, really p>
“Are you sure p>
“Positive. I’ll grab a cab and be there before dinner p>
After hanging up, I reluctantly left the piano room and called a taxi. The entire ride to my father’s house, I couldn’t stop thinking about Aiden’s gift.
It wasn’t just the extravagance that touched me it was the thoughtfulness behind it. He’d somehow discovered something deeply personal about me, something I hadn’t even told him.
When I arrived home, I went straight upstairs to where my suitcases were neatly stacked in my bedroom.
I’d packed methodically over the past few days, sorting through years of accumulated possessions, deciding what to take and what to leave behind.
It felt strangely final, even though I knew I could come back anytime.
Dad was waiting for me in the living room when I came downstairs. I could see the mixed emotions on his face-pride, worry, and a touch of sadness.
“Ready to go, sweetheart?” he asked, trying to sound cheerful.
“I think so.” I glanced around the house that had been my home for my entire life. “It feels weird, doesn’t it p>
He nodded, pulling me into a tight hug. “The house is going to be too quiet without you p>
“Dad, I’m just across town. And you can visit anytime p>
“I know, I know.” He kissed the top of my head. “I just want you to be happy, Aria p>
Before I could respond, the doorbell rang. Dad went to answer it, and to my complete shock, Aiden stood in the doorway.
“Mr. Jones,” he greeted my father with a firm handshake. “I hope you don’t mind me stopping by p>
Dad seemed just as surprised as I was. “Not at all, come in p>
I stared at Aiden in confusion as he walked in, looking impossibly handsome in a casual button-down shirt and dark jeans. “What are you doing here? I told you I’d take a cab p>
“I was in the neighborhood for a meeting,” he lied smoothly, not missing a beat. “Thought I’d save you the trouble.” Without waiting for my response, he strode past me toward the stairs. “The suitcases are upstairs p>
Dad immediately protested, “Aiden, please, sit down. I can ask our butler to bring them down p>
Aiden rolled up his sleeves, revealing his tanned, muscular forearms. “It’s no trouble. There’s quite a few bags, and they might be heavy. I’ve got it p>
Before I could answer, he was already halfway up the staircase, leaving Dad and me looking at each other in bewilderment.
Dad glanced at Aiden’s retreating figure, then turned to me with raised eyebrows. “Aria, it’s wonderful that Aiden dotes on you like this, but you shouldn’t take advantage of his generosity, you know p>
I felt my face heat up, completely at a loss for how to explain that I hadn’t asked Aiden to come. “I know, Dad. I’m sorry p>
Dad sighed, his expression softening. “I just wish you’d met him earlier p>
I felt my face flush even deeper. If I’d met Aiden earlier, he probably wouldn’t have given me the time of day. Back then, I was just another socialite’s daughter, and he was… well, he was Aiden Carter.
Of course, I didn’t dare say this to my father.
And really, it wasn’t surprising my dad would say that. Not once had Liam ever offered to carry my bags or help with anything physical. Compared to Aiden, it was no contest.
As I prepared to leave, Dad pulled me aside for one final piece of advice. “Try to curb those little temper tantrums of yours, sweetheart. Marriage is about compromise and understanding p>
I nodded, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. “Yes, Dad p>
To my absolute surprise, Aiden overheard and jumped in. “Mr. Jones, I married Aria because I love her for who she is. Whether she’s being temperamental, or demanding, or anything else I know all of it, and I accept all of it p>
He turned to look at me, his eyes intense and sincere. “I don’t need her to change anything. I love her exactly as she is. I just want her to be happy p>
I stared at him, completely stunned. Who was this man, and what had he done with
the cold, calculating Aiden Carter I knew? His words sounded so genuine that for a moment, even I almost believed them.
Dad’s expression melted into one of pure emotion. He clasped Aiden’s shoulder firmly. “Next time you visit, you call me ‘Dad,’ you hear p>
In that simple statement, my father had said everything without saying it directly. He’d completely accepted Aiden as family.
As we loaded my suitcases into Aiden’s car, I couldn’t help wondering about the man beside me.
The piano, these sweet words to my father-was this all part of some elaborate act?
Or had I completely misjudged him? Maybe there was more to Aiden Carter than the cold, calculated man I thought I knew.