Chapter 12 Father’s Unconditional Support
Aria’s POV
After Lillian left, exhaustion finally caught up with me. I fell into a dreamless sleep, waking only when sunlight streamed through my partially drawn curtains the next morning.,
I shuffled downstairs to find my father already at the breakfast table, casually reading his newspaper while sipping coffee. Martha placed a plate of French toast in front of me, and I mumbled my thanks, watching my father curiously.
He hadn’t mentioned anything about Aiden. Not a single word about the marriage that had set social media ablaze. My father continued reading his newspaper, seemingly untroubled, occasionally making comments about political developments or business news.
I took a hesitant bite of my breakfast, wondering if perhaps he simply hadn’t heard.But It seemed impossible- the internet had practically exploded with news of our marriage. Then again, Dad had always been something of a digital dinosaur, preferring print newspapers to online news.
I cleared my throat. “Dad, there’s something I need to tell you about—”
His phone rang, interrupting my confession. He glanced at the screen, his expression darkening instantly. Benjamin Jones,” he answered curtly.
As he listened to the caller, his expression darkened, jaw tightening in a way I’d rarely seen. When he finally ended the call, his knuckles were white around his coffee cup.
“Dad? What’s wrong?” I asked, alarmed by the fury radiating from him.
“Are you all right?” I reached across the table, placing my hand on his arm. “Your blood pressure-‘
“William White just called,” he said, his voice dangerously controlled. “He and Elizabeth want to have dinner with us. Apparently, Liam wishes to apologize to you. On his knees, if necessary.”
I froze, my fork clattering against my plate. “What?”
“He said and I quote-‘Liam understands his grievous error and wishes to make amends. The wedding can still proceed as planned once this… unfortunate situation with Carter is resolved.”” My father’s laugh was bitter. “As if my daughter is some discarded toy he can pick up again when he’s bored with his new plaything.”
So he did know. And worse, the Whites were already plotting to undo my marriage to Aiden.
“Dad…” I began hesitantly. “About Aiden and me-”
“That unworthy boy doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as you,” he continued, cutting me off. “I don’t care if he gets on his hands and knees to beg forgiveness or he crawls on his hands and knees across broken glass, I won’t let him near you again.I told William exactly where he could shove his dinner invitation.” 1
I blinked, surprised by my typically composed father’s vehemence. “You did?”
“I informed him that my daughter is now Mrs. Carter, and that the Whites had their chance.” He reached across the table to squeeze my hand. “You made your choice, and I stand with you.”
“You’re… not angry that I married Aiden without telling you?” I asked carefully.
His expression softened as he looked at me, the anger replaced by something tender and sad. “Aria, when have I ever not supported your decisions? Even when I disagreed with them?” He sighed, running a hand through his
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silver-streaked hair. “Like when you chose Liam, despite my reservations.”
“You had reservations about Liam?” This was news to me.
“I’ve known William White for over twenty years. I’ve seen how he operates in business and with his family. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” He shook his head. “But you loved him, so I put aside my concerns.”
I felt a lump form in my throat. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Aiden.”
“Don’t be.” He gave me a small smile. “You’re your mother’s daughter-impulsive when your heart is involved. What I want to know is: are you happy with your decision? Does Aiden treat you well?”
The genuine concern in his voice touched me deeply. “Yes,” I answered honestly. “It’s not exactly conventional, but… he respects me. He’s been good to me.”
My father gave a slow nod. “Then that’s all I need to hear.”He exhaled, then looked at me more seriously.”Right now, we need to discuss what to do about the Whites.”Right now, we need to discuss what to do about the Whites.” 1
I thought for a moment, then straightened my shoulders. “Actually, I want to meet them.”
“Aria-”
“No, Dad. I want to see Liam grovel. I want him to face what he’s done-to me, to our families, to our companies. He deserves to feel every ounce of shame and humiliation he inflicted on me.”
My father studied me, a new respect dawning in his eyes. “You truly are your mother’s daughter.” After a moment, he nodded. “Very well. I’ll arrange it. We’ll face them together, as we always have.”
When I returned to my room, the weight of everything finally hit me. I sat on the edge of my bed, thinking about how much my father had sacrificed for me over the years.
My father had lost the love of his life when I was seven. And yet, he never once let me feel the absence. He learned to braid my hair, packed my lunches, sat through every school play with a camcorder too big for his hands. He’d built his entire world around mine.
Even when I chose Liam-someone he never truly approved of-he said nothing, out of respect for his old friendship with the Whites and love me.
Now, despite my sudden marriage to Aiden-another decision I’d made without consulting him-he still chose to trust me unconditionally. Instead of questioning my judgment or demanding explanations, he simply asked if I was happy and promised to stand by me no matter what.
That same unwavering love had never faltered, not once in twenty years.
Tears spilled down my cheeks before I even realized I was crying. I buried my face in my hands, overwhelmed- not by pain this time, but by something softer, heavier: gratitude.
I don’t know how long I sat there weeping, but eventually the storm passed, leaving me drained yet somehow lighter. The chime of my phone finally roused me. I wiped my tears away with the back of my hand and looked at
the screen.
It was Aiden.
Why is he calling me?
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