Chapter 23 Determined
Aria’s POV
I woke to sunlight streaming through my curtains, stretching lazily as I climbed out of bed. After a quick shower, I didn’t bother changing-I just threw on my favorite silk pajamas – a navy blue set that hung loosely on my frame and headed downstairs for breakfast, my mind still foggy with sleep.
The moment I stepped into our dining room, I froze. My father wasn’t alone. Sitting across from him, casually sipping coffee and looking ridiculously handsome in a tailored suit, was Aiden.
My face instantly burned. Here I was in thin silk pajamas that left little to the imagination, while he looked like he’d stepped out of a business magazine cover.
When he caught sight of me in my thin pajamas, his eyes darkened perceptibly, gaze traveling down my body before quickly returning to my face.
“Good morning,” he said, voice deeper than usual.
Heat rushed to my face as I crossed my arms over my chest. “I didn’t… I’ll be right back.”
I fled upstairs, mortified. Throwing open my closet, I grabbed a simple cream-colored dress and quickly changed, taking a moment to apply some light makeup and tame my hair before returning downstairs.
They were still deep in conversation when I slipped back into my seat, hoping neither would mention my earlier state of undress.
“Coffee?” my father offered, pushing the carafe toward me.
I nodded gratefully, pouring myself a cup while grabbing a croissant from the basket at the center of the table. I ate quickly, desperately hoping to avoid being pulled into their discussion.
“As I was saying,” Aiden continued, his eyes briefly flickering to me, “Aria will be moving into my
penthouse tomorrow. The security there is more comprehensive, and after recent events, I believe it’s the safest option.”
I nearly choked on my coffee. We’d discussed this, of course, but hearing him announce it so matter-of- factly to my father made it suddenly feel very real.
My father looked like he wanted to say something when a voice bellowed from outside.
“Aria! Come down and see me! ARIA!”
I recognized that voice immediately. Liam. Standing outside my father’s house at 8 AM, shouting like a
madman.
Father’s expression turned glacial, all warmth vanishing from his features. “Martha!” he called sharply.
Our housekeeper was already rushing up the stairs, clearly having heard the commotion. “Yes, sir?”
“Tell that man if he continues shouting, we’ll be calling the police,” Father said, his voice dangerously
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calm.
“Right away, sir!” Martha hurried back downstairs.
I’d never seen my father this angry. His hands were shaking as he set down his coffee cup so forcefully that the liquid sloshed over the rim.
We could hear Martha delivering the message, followed by Liam’s raised voice: “Then call the police! I’m not leaving until I see Aria!”
My father suddenly slammed his antique teacup onto the table with such force that it shattered. “The audacity! THE AUDACITY!” His face had turned an alarming shade of red. “I want to hear what garbage that White boy thinks he can spew on my property!”
I quickly moved to his side, rubbing his back. “Dad, please calm down. I’ll go talk to him.”
“We’ll go together,” Aiden said, standing up. His voice was calm but his eyes had turned to steel.
There was something possessive in the way he moved to stand beside me, his hand coming to rest at the small of my back.
Outside, Liam was still arguing with Martha when we emerged from the house. His face lit up when he saw me, only to darken when he noticed Aiden right behind me, his hand now resting on my waist.
“What the hell is he doing here?” Liam spat, taking a step toward us.
“None of your business.” Aiden answered coolly. “The better question is what are you doing here, causing a scene at this hour?”
“I need to speak with Aria. Alone.” Liam’s eyes darted between us, his jaw clenching.
“Whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of my husband,” I replied, feeling a strange satisfaction at Liam’s visible flinch at the word ‘husband.’
Liam’s face twisted with ugly jealousy. “So it’s true then? You’ve already spread your legs for him? That was quick, even for you.”
The sharp sound of my palm connecting with his cheek echoed in the morning air. My hand stung from the force of the slap.
“Having loved you is my greatest shame,” I hissed, my voice trembling with rage.
“Aria, I didn’t mean-” Liam started, but I cut him off.
“We’re legally married,” I said instead, lifting my chin. “What happens in our bedroom is none of
business.”
your
The color drained from Liam’s face before rushing back in a furious red. “You fucking whore,” he hissed. You’ve already spread your legs for him? That was quick-”
He never finished his sentence. Aiden’s fist connected with his jaw with such force that Liam stumbled
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Chapter 25 Determined
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backward, nearly falling.
“Watch your fucking mouth,” Aiden growled, his voice dangerously low. “If I ever hear you speak to my wife like that again, you’ll be eating through a straw for months.” 1
The pure menace in his voice sent a shiver down my spine-not of fear, but something else entirely. Something that made my pulse quicken and my breath catch.
Liam staggered back, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He looked from me to Aiden.
“This isn’t over,” he muttered, backing away toward his car.
“Yes, it is,” Aiden replied coldly, wrapping his arm more firmly around my waist. “Try it and see what happens.”
As we watched him drive away, I felt Aiden’s hand slide around my waist, warm and steady. “Are you okay?” he asked quietly.
I nodded, suddenly very aware of how closely we were standing. “Thanks for defending me.”
“It’s a husband’s duty,” he said, his breath warm against my ear.
“But we have a contract marriage. You don’t have to-” I started, feeling heat rise to my cheeks at his
proximity.
“Aria,” he interrupted, his voice dropping to an intimate rumble as he turned me to face him.”Having a contract doesn’t mean we have to be strangers.”
I wanted to say that’s exactly how he’d made me feel at first. Distant. Cold. A business arrangement and nothing more. But now, with his arm still around me, his body heat seeping through my dress, the space between us seemed charged with electricity–especially under the heat of his gaze.
Flustered, I gently pushed him away, avoiding his eyes.
“I-I should go grab something from upstairs,” I mumbled,hurried inside.
Back in my room, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and almost didn’t recognize the woman staring back at me. My cheeks were flushed a deep pink, my eyes wide and bright, my breathing unsteady. I looked… affected. I looked like a woman who was falling for someone she shouldn’t.
The realization hit me like a bucket of cold water. I couldn’t fall for Aiden Carter. Our marriage was temporary, a business arrangement. Getting emotionally involved would only lead to heartbreak-I’d already learned that lesson the hard way with Liam.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. I needed boundaries, distance. I couldn’t let myself get pulled into whatever this was becoming between us.
I quickly gathered the gift I’d prepared for his grandmother and headed back downstairs, my resolve firmly in place.
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Chapter Jar Rehearse
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