Chapter 94
Author’s POV
The night’s events felt like an impossible dream to Aria, but she wasn’t the only one struggling to make sense of what had happened.
Eleanor Smith was completely baffled. Claire Bennett was supposed to marry Aiden eventually – it had been the plan for years. Tonight had presented the perfect opportunity to undermine Aria, yet Claire had actually defended her instead. After pondering this for over thirty minutes, Eleanor still couldn’t understand Claire’s reasoning.
When she finally heard that Claire had changed into a fresh gown and emerged from her room, Eleanor immediately excused herself from the group of socialites she’d been chatting with and clicked across the marble floor in her heels to find Claire.
“Claire, are you alright?” Eleanor asked, her brow furrowed with confusion.
Madison, who had been speaking with Claire, politely acknowledged Eleanor with a quick “Mrs. Smith” before stepping aside.
Eleanor barely spared Madison a glance before turning her full attention back to Claire. “Darling, why on earth did you defend that woman?” she asked, getting straight to the point.
Claire sniffled slightly, still feeling the chill from her time in the pool despite the warm shower. “Because I truly did fall in by accident,” she replied simply.
Eleanor’s frown deepened. “Even if that were true, you didn’t need to p>
She stopped herself, aware of the many ears around them. Though she didn’t finish her sentence, her meaning was clear.
Claire gave Eleanor a small smile. “Mrs. Smith, Aria isn’t as terrible as you all think. I believe she’s quite worthy of being Aiden’s wife p>
Eleanor was momentarily speechless. This made no sense whatsoever.
“Claire, darling, did you hit your head when you fell? The merger between your family and the Carters was arranged three years ago. You yourself said you were quite fond of Aiden. If things had gone according to plan, you two would be engaged this year p>
She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Now this woman has swooped in and taken your place, and you’re defending her? I don’t understand p>
Claire looked Eleanor directly in the eyes. “But Aria really is a good person,” she said firmly.
Eleanor opened her mouth to argue further, then closed it again, completely at a loss for words.
What in the world was happening here?
The night’s events spread like wildfire through New York’s elite social circles. Almost everyone found Claire’s behavior incomprehensible.
Aria had undeniably been the center of attention tonight. From her stunning entrance with Aiden, to the jaw-dropping $55 million “Beyond Compare” necklace adorning her throat, to the dramatic incident with Claire – she’d made quite the impression.
The necklace in particular had catapulted Aria into the broader public consciousness. Someone had snapped photos and posted them on social media, and within just three hours, #MrsCarter was trending at number five nationwide.
The car pulled into the private underground garage of Aiden’s penthouse building. Throughout the ride, his hand had stayed on my thigh, his thumb making small, maddening circles on my skin that sent electricity shooting through my body with each touch.
“We’re home, sir,” the driver announced, breaking the heated tension that had filled the car.
Aiden’s eyes hadn’t left mine for the last several minutes of the drive. “Thank you, James,” he said, his voice husky. “That will be all for tonight p>
Aria’s POV
We stepped out of the car, and the moment the elevator doors closed behind us, Aiden had me pressed against the mirrored wall, his mouth capturing mine in a kiss that made my knees buckle. His hands gripped my waist, then slid lower, lifting me effortlessly until my legs wrapped around his hips.
“God, I’ve wanted to do this all night,” he growled against my neck, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin there.
I gasped, my head falling back, breathless. “You didn’t exactly hide it p>
Aiden pulled back just enough to look at me, his eyes dark, stormy with desire. “Can you blame me? You in that dress… I barely survived dinner p>
The elevator pinged, announcing our arrival. Still holding me close, Aiden stepped out and carried me through the grand hallway of his private villa. The marble floors gleamed beneath the soft chandelier light.
He kicked the front door shut behind us without breaking stride, carrying me straight toward the my bedroom, his mouth never straying far from mine.
But just as we reached the edge of the plush bed, he paused. His eyes searched mine, then drifted to the damp strands of hair clinging to my neck.
“Wait,” he said, gently setting me down. “Your hair’s still wet p>
I blinked, caught off guard. “What p>
“You’ll catch a cold.” His tone softened, already reaching for a nearby towel. “Come here. Let me dry it first p>
I stared at him for a second, heart still racing from everything that had just happened —and everything that nearly had. But the tenderness in his voice melted something inside me.
“You’re seriously going to stop making out with me to blow-dry my hair?” I teased, stepping closer.
He smirked, brushing a damp lock from my cheek. “I’m seriously not letting you get sick. I want you in my bed, not sneezing in it p>
I laughed, leaning into his touch. “Okay, fine. Blow-dry away p>
Aiden led me to a nearby chair, retrieving a sleek hair dryer from the adjoining bathroom.
As the warm air hummed around us and his fingers gently worked through my hair, I found myself watching him in the mirror-shirt sleeves rolled up, brow furrowed in concentration.
I couldn’t believe Aiden would actually dry my hair for me.
As I sat on the edge of the chair, feeling his fingers run through my wet strands while the warm air from the hairdryer enveloped me, my body tingled with unexpected pleasure.
This was such an intimate gesture—one I never imagined he’d perform.
“There,” he said, his voice dropping lower as he switched off the hairdryer. “All dry
now p>
I turned my head slightly, our faces suddenly too close. “Thanks,” I whispered,
unable to look away from his intense gaze.
His hand lingered in my hair, twirling a strand around his finger.
“Can I ask you something?” he said, voice low, almost too casual—like he was trying to mask the tension beneath.
“What p>
He hesitated for half a second, then met my gaze directly.”Could you just… move into my room p>
My heart skipped a beat. Since our wedding, we’d only shared a bed for sex- sleeping separately otherwise.
Even though we’d decided to treat our marriage as real now, the truth was… I still wasn’t completely used to it.
I needed time-to adjust, to breathe, to let it feel natural.
Then again, maybe living with Aiden wasn’t as hard to get used to as I’d thought.
“Hmm,” I hummed, trying to appear nonchalant despite my racing pulse. “That depends on your performance, Mr. Carter p>
His eyes darkened immediately. “Is that a challenge, Mrs. Carter p>
I just smiled mysteriously, enjoying the way his jaw tightened.
He leanedan, his lips brushing
against mine in a kiss that was far too brief “I need to shower,” he murmured against my mouth before pulling away. “Don’t fall asleep p>
The moment he left, I grabbed my phone from the nightstand, finding it bombarded
with messages from Lillian.
Lillian: Girl, you’re trending! [Screenshot.JPG] [Screenshot.JPG]
Lillian: You looked INSANELY gorgeous tonight!
Lillian: Did you see Liam’s face? Bet he’s regretting everything right about now!
LMAO! Just thinking about it makes me happy!
Lillian: HOLY SHIT! Did your husband seriously give you the “Incomparable” necklace?! [ShockedFace.JPG]
Lillian: That necklace is worth over $55 million! What does it feel like having that much money hanging around your neck p>
Lillian: Your husband is a fucking legend! This marriage was your best decision
ever!
Lillian: What’s with your rival’s strange tactics? I’ve read trashy romance novels for fifteen years and still can’t figure her out!
Lillian: According to every cliché,
Sophia should have accused you of pushing her into the pool! Instead, she admitted falling in herself and that YOU rescued her. I’m starting to wonder if Miss Perfect actually has the hots for YOU, not Alden!
I blinked in surprise, finally realizing I was trending. Well, shit.
I typed back: The necklace wasn’t a gift, just loaned for the evening. As for Claire p>
honestly, I still can’t figure out what game she’s playing.
Lillian replied instantly: It wasn’t a gift?! The entire internet thinks it was your
wedding present p>
Talk about awkward.
I shrugged it off: Even if he offered, I couldn’t accept a $55 million necklace!
Lillian: True that! But about Sophia – her tactics are unheard of. That woman is definitely not simple!
I was just about to type out a reply-I think so too—when a soft knock came at the
door.
My fingers froze mid-text.
It must be Aiden.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, I quickly set my phone down and went to open the door.
As soon as I pulled it open, I was hit
with the crisp, clean scent of his
body wash Aiden had just showered, his usually perfectly styled hair now wet and disheveled, dripping water and giving him a rugged, untamed appearance that
made my stomach flip.
A droplet fell from his hair, landing perfectly on my cheek. It was cold, but my face
heated up instantly.
“Aiden,” I said awkwardly, “you’re so quick p>
His brows lifted, and a slow smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“Quick,” he repeated, stepping closer, lowering his voice. “That’s not exactly a
compliment, you know p>
My eyes widened as the implication hit me.
Blood rushed to my face.
“I didn’t mean it like that!” she said quickly, mortified.
Aiden chuckled, clearly enjoying the effect he had on her.
Then he extended his hand, offering me something. “The necklace p>
I looked down to see the “Beyond Compare” resting in his palm.
I blinked in confusion. “Are there more events tomorrow p>
“No,” he replied simply.
“Then I don’t need it anymore p>
Aiden’s eyes studied me, his expression shifting subtly. “You don’t like it p>
“It’s… for me?” I pointed at myself, utterly stunned.