Chapter 72
Aria’s POV
I couldn’t really blame Elena for initially wanting to downplay the incident.
Today’s charity concert was truly impressive-the stage design rivaled professional competitions I’d performed in before.
Going from closing act to opening performer left me feeling surprisingly nervous as I stood backstage preparing to go on.
I’d be performing a specially arranged piano piece called “Our World,” accompanied by a dance troupe of hearing-impaired performers.
Though not particularly intense, the combination created something deeply moving —a true feast for the senses.
After my final bow, I instinctively glanced toward the audience.
When I’d first stepped onstage, I’d spotted Aiden immediately. He sat in the middle of a row, his exceptional features and commanding presence making him stand out like a beacon.
Now, as I took my final bow, my eyes naturally sought him out again.
What I hadn’t expected was for my gaze to crash directly into the depths of those dark eyes.
I froze, my heart suddenly racing.
Quickly breaking eye contact, I followed the dance troupe as we made our graceful exit backstage.
The backstage area had grown quiet-Diana and her group had apparently already left.
As I removed my stage makeup, the same staff member who’d been so rude to me an hour ago now hovered anxiously at my side.
“Mrs. Carter, I was completely out of line earlier. I failed to recognize your importance. Please accept my apology p>
I remained silent. I wasn’t about to play the forgiving saint after how she’d treated me, especially not when Aiden had just stood up for me so publicly. Playing nice now would only undermine what he’d done.
Summer stepped in, physically pushing the woman away. “Excuse me! Aria doesn’t like strangers hovering around her p>
The staff member paled but didn’t protest. I caught a glimpse of her face she knew her career in this industry was essentially over unless I chose to be “gracious” enough to “forgive” her.
Elena had apparently informed her that she hadn’t just offended me, but Aiden Carter-a man who could make or break careers in this city with a single word. Even if I slapped her across the face right now, she wouldn’t dare say a thing.
But I said nothing – neither forgiving nor condemning her. I just sat there removing my stage makeup.
Summer looked relieved but didn’t interfere further. She wasn’t foolish – she knew whose side she was on.
No one paid any more attention to the staff member as I finished removing my makeup and headed with Summer to the audience seating area.
The event truly was impressive. The front row was filled with distinguished guests of considerable importance.
My seat was in the second row, some distance from where Aiden had been sitting.
On stage, Faye performed a traditional guzheng piece, accompanied by exquisite lighting and staging.
The contemporary ballet dancers moving around her added a mesmerizing visual layer to the performance.
I thought that despite everything, today hadn’t turned out so badly. I’d contributed to
a good cause and was now enjoying a beautiful performance.
The dance was so beautiful I couldn’t resist taking out my phone to capture a short clip for Instagram. I was so focused on the stage that I didn’t notice someone taking the seat beside me until I caught a whiff of familiar sandalwood cologne. I turned my head to look.
Even in the dim lighting, I immediately recognized those familiar features.
I blinked once, instinctively leaning closer to whisper, “Mr. Carter, what are you doing over here p>
Aiden’s eyes focused on my face, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly as he swallowed. “My wife is here, so naturally I came p>
When he spoke, he was turned toward me, his warm breath fanning across my cheek. In the low light, I felt heat creeping up my face as my heartbeat accelerated beyond my control.
I closed my eyes briefly, mentally chanting to myself: *Stay calm! Stay calm p>
I pinched my hand to regain my composure before responding: “Thank you p>
Aiden looked at me, one brow lifting slightly. “You don’t have to thank me. We’re married, remember p>
I blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
Right. Married. For real now.
The realization came like a small wave, warm and unexpected. His words weren’t just casual-they were… real.
I felt the corners of my lips lift unconsciously. A quiet happiness bubbled up inside me, so sudden I almost laughed at myself.
I looked away, trying to hide the way my cheeks were heating up.
“The performance is beautiful,” I said, nodding toward the stage, trying to regain my composure. “You should watch p>
“It’s mediocre,” he replied flatly.
“Are you bored?” I asked, turning to face him. “We can leave early if you’d like p>
He didn’t answer, just fixed me with that intense gaze that made my heart skip beats. My throat went dry under his scrutiny.
“I—I think I’ll keep watching,” I stammered, quickly turning back to the stage.
We sat in silence for a few minutes, the beautiful melody washing over us. I was just beginning to relax when, without warning, my left hand was lifted from my lap.
Aiden’s larger hand easily enveloped mine, his palm warm against my skin that had grown cold in the air-conditioned theater. For a moment or two, I savored that warmth.
But the indulgence lasted only seconds before I snapped back to reality and tried to pull my hand away.
I tugged once, unsuccessfully, then turned to look at him. “Aiden p>
He was examining my hand carefully, his thumb gently brushing against the side of my index finger. “How did you hurt yourself p>
“What p>
Surprised by his question, I instinctively looked down at my hand.
My fingers were slender and pale, and despite the dim lighting, I immediately spotted the cut on the side of my index finger. I had no idea when I’d gotten it, but the small wound had already stopped bleeding, the blood dried.
“Oh! I don’t know,” I quickly pulled my hand back to examine it myself.
Before noticing the cut, I hadn’t felt anything, but now that I was aware of it, the small wound stung slightly when touched. It wasn’t particularly painful—just a twinge when I moved my finger wrong.
When I winced slightly, Aiden recaptured my hand. “Does it hurt p>
“Not really,” I admitted, feeling slightly embarrassed. If I hadn’t noticed it, the cut probably would have healed on its own in a couple of days.
Aiden’s fingertip gently traced around the wound. “I heard a staff member pushed
you and you strained your foot?” he asked casually.
“Just a little,” I glanced up at him, accidentally meeting those dark eyes.
“It’s probably nothing serious p>
“We should have it checked at the hospital p>
As he spoke, he released my hand and stood up.
“Is that really necessary?” I asked.
Before I could finish my thought, Aiden leaned down toward me. I startled. “Aiden,
what are you”
I didn’t get to finish my sentence before he scooped me up into his arms.
I instinctively struggled, but he remained unperturbed, holding me securely as he walked toward the exit. As he carried me, he murmured, “There are a lot of people here. If you keep squirming, we’ll become the center of attention p>
His words worked like a freezing spell, and I immediately went rigid in his arms.
Oh my God, I really didn’t want to become the center of attention.