Chapter 62
Aria’s POV
It’s been a whole week since that night in the pool, and I’ve barely seen Aiden.
Each night, I go to bed alone in my room, wondering if tonight might be the night he shows up—or at least says something.
But every morning, nothing’s changed. Just silence, and the distant sound of a door closing somewhere down the hall.
The man is practically a phantom when he’s busy—appearing just long enough to remind me he exists before vanishing again into whatever corporate vortex consumes him.
Now I understand how Carter Industries has thrived under his leadership. The man simply never stops working.
My father called a week after I moved in, asking a few obligatory questions about my wellbeing before tactfully reducing communication.
I appreciated the space he was giving me, though I sometimes missed our regular check-ins.
Liam, on the other hand, refuses to take the hint. He’s cycled through at least four different phone numbers, sending me what I can only describe as midnight poetry attempts that make me cringe so hard I nearly pull a muscle.
“I know the painful things will eventually pass, and the us we once were will no longer be us,” read one particularly painful message that arrived at 2 AM.
Looking at these messages with clear eyes, I finally had to admit the truth to myself: I had been completely blind in my younger days. What had I ever seen in him?
When I sent screenshots to Lillian, her response was immediate a voice message of her laughing so hard she actually snorted.
“If I remember correctly,” she texted afterward, “you once praised his writing skills p>
I sent back a rabbit emoji waving its paws dismissively. “Don’t remind me. Young and foolish p>
“HAHAHA, I’m dying here,” Lillian replied. “What about this gem: ‘If suffering has an end, I’m willing to wait until I’m ready, until the day when lights shine bright again.’ Oh my god, help me! Is Liam going through delayed puberty? How did you even read this with a straight face p>
“I didn’t,” I admitted. “I couldn’t get through it p>
She continued mercilessly: “I’ll become your shadow, as you race toward light and future, while I guard our twelve years of friendship, knowing you’ll never look back.’ Seriously, doesn’t he feel embarrassed writing this stuff? I’m embarrassed FOR him p>
“Who knows,” I replied weakly, too drained to continue the conversation.
I immediately activated my phone’s unknown number blocking feature. As I was about to set it down, an unfamiliar yet somehow recognizable number flashed across my screen.
I hesitated for two seconds before answering. “Mr. Lucas p>
“Yes, Mrs. Carter. Good afternoon. Mr. Carter asked me to inform you that there’s a family dinner tonight. He suggests you get ready, and he’ll pick you up after his meeting p>
“I understand. Thank you p>
“No need for thanks, Mrs. Carter. I’ll hang up now p>
“Alright p>
The moment the call ended, I leapt up and rushed to the closet.
Finally! My role as the Mrs. Carter was being activated!I needed to look perfect tonight—beautiful but appropriate.
I selected a white three-quarter sleeve dress with an A-line silhouette.
It was from a luxury designer’s summer collection, with a fake belt design at the waist embroidered with camellia flowers that accentuated my small waistline perfectly.
The hemline fell just above my ankles, with gold thread embroidery along the edges. The dress had two layers beneath the outer one, and when I moved, the gold thread and the second layer created an illusion of blooming golden roses.
The round neckline highlighted my long neck, and I paired it with a diamond pendant necklace from the jewelry box. The diamond wasn’t overly large-maybe about 30 points—but its delicate size actually emphasized the lines of my neck and collarbone.
I completed the look with a vintage pink lambskin Dior handbag. The overall effect was elegant, beautiful, and ladylike.
I slipped into a pair of pink strappy heels to finish off the ensemble perfectly.
It took me a full two and a half hours to get ready.
When I finally came downstairs, I ran into Lucy, who was just about to finish her shift.
She was holding a garbage bag by the sofa and immediately broke into admiration. “Mrs. Carter, you look absolutely stunning today p>
“Really?” I asked, still feeling somewhat uncertain. I wasn’t exactly a fashion icon, but I had decent taste.
I knew how to dress appropriately, if not spectacularly. And my face—well, it certainly helped.
Lucy’s compliments were genuine: “Of course! When you’re all dressed up, you’re more beautiful than those TV celebrities! My daughter keeps talking about some actress with ‘milky white skin,’ but if she saw you, she’d know what real perfect skin looks like p>
Her compliments made me blush, and I thanked her repeatedly until my phone rang. Lucy tactfully took the garbage and left.
The call was from Aiden.
“Aiden?” I answered.
“Ready to leave?” His deep voice came through.
“Yes, yes, I’m all prepared p>
“Come outside then p>
I hung up and walked out the door. A black Bentley was waiting, the door already open with cool air-conditioning flowing out.
I slid in and looked up to find Aiden watching me. I immediately tensed and sat up straight. “Is my outfit appropriate, Mr. Carter p>
Aiden studied me for a moment, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly. “It’s perfect. You look beautiful p>
As the car pulled away, I finally relaxed a little.
This would be my first time meeting Aiden’s relatives beyond his grandmother. Even though I wasn’t his real wife, I was carrying his name, which made me increasingly nervous.
The car was quiet except for the occasional waft of woody cologne that reminded me of Aiden’s presence.
Glancing sideways, I noticed he appeared to be resting with his eyes closed. I abandoned any thoughts of conversation and pulled out my phone to G e information about the Carter family.
There wasn’t much online about the Carters—just news about Aiden’s parents’ accident and nothing more substantial.
I decided to text Lillian to see what she knew.
Lillian: Why are you suddenly asking about the Carter family?
Me: I’m going to a family dinner with Aiden tonight p>
Lillian: Oh right, you haven’t met anyone except his grandmother and aunt. But honestly, I don’t know much more about the Carter family than what’s on G e. Sorry babe, you’ll have to wing it yourself! *bunny emoji cheering*
Since Lillian couldn’t help, I decided to just let things play out. After all, I’d already made a terrible impression on Aiden’s aunt that day, so how much worse could it get?
I was lost in thought until the car came to a stop. Composing myself, I waited
patiently for the driver to open my door like a proper lady would.
Aiden got out and turned to offer his hand to me.
I froze momentarily before realizing what was happening. I placed my hand in his
palm.
Loving couple. We’re playing a loving couple!
I silently calmed my racing heart, trying to ignore the warmth of his hand. The Carter family mansion was impressive. Though I’d been there once before, that time only his grandmother had been present. Now the whole family would be there.
Aiden must have noticed my my unease, as I felt his fingers press gently against my palm. “Don’t be afraid,” he said softly near my ear. “You are Mrs. Carter p>
I wasn’t afraid, exactly—just nervous. But his words, whispered so close that his breath tickled my ear, somehow eased my anxiety.
He was right. I was Mrs. Carter now.
Even if it was pretend, once we stepped through those doors, I needed to make it real!
With newfound determination, I straightened my shoulders and walked inside with Aiden, ready to face whatever awaited us.