Chapter 16 A New Beginning
Aria’s POV
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Aiden’s face as he stared Liam down. The tension between them was palpable, crackling like electricity in the narrow hotel hallway.
Liam’s face contorted with disbelief as he looked between us, his eyes lingering on Aiden’s arm still wrapped possessively around my waist.
“You can’t be serious,” he scoffed, his voice rising. “This is just some sick revenge plot, isn’t it? You and him?” He gestured dismissively at Aiden. “This isn’t real. It can’t be.”
Something snapped inside me at his words-his absolute certainty that I couldn’t possibly have moved on from him. Without thinking, I turned to Aiden, placed my hand on his cheek, and pressed my lips against his.
It was meant to be just a quick kiss, a statement for Liam’s benefit. But the moment our lips touched, a jolt of electricity shot through me. Aiden froze for just a heartbeat before his hand tightened on my waist, pulling me fractionally closer.
When I pulled back, Liam’s face had gone completely pale.
I met his gaze squarely. “Do you believe now?”
“Twelve years,” he whispered hoarsely. “Twelve years we spent together. What was that to you? Just something easy to throw away?”
“It meant everything to me,” I replied evenly. “Until you left me standing alone in a wedding dress.”
“That was a mistake-”
“No,” I cut him off. “A mistake is forgetting an anniversary or saying the wrong thing. What you did was a choice. You chose her. And in that moment, whatever we had ended.”
“You heard her,” Aiden said, his voice dangerously soft. “It’s over.”
Liam’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Aiden, a sneer forming on his lips. “You think you’ve won something here? She doesn’t love you. She’s just using you to get back at me. I know Aria-.”
“Guess you really have to hit rock bottom to get it through your thick skull.” Aiden finished for him, his voice ice cold. “Let me show you.”
Something in his tone made my heart skip a beat.
Liam’s face flushed with anger. “Aria, you can’t possibly love this man. Not after everything—”
Before I could respond, Aiden’s hand slid from my waist to cup the back of my neck. He turned me toward him and captured my lips with his own-nothing like the gentle peck I’d given him moments ago. This was different. Possessive.
His tongue traced my lower lip, sending shivers down my spine. His other hand pressed against the small of my back, drawing me against him until I could feel the hard planes of his chest.
The kiss deepened, becoming almost indecent for a public hallway, and I found myself responding instinctively, my fingers clutching at his lapels.
When we finally broke apart, I was breathless, my lips tingling and my cheeks flushed.
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“Goodbye, Liam,” I said softly. “I wish you well.”
Without waiting for his response, I turned and walked toward the elevator, Aiden’s hand settling naturally at the small of my back as he guided me forward. My father followed silently behind us.
The elevator doors opened immediately, as if even they wanted to help us escape this uncomfortable encounter. Once inside, I found myself sandwiched between my father and Aiden, who positioned himself directly behind me. His presence was overwhelming in the confined space-the faint brush of his fingers against my back sending nervous energy coursing through me.
I stepped forward slightly, trying to create some distance, only to feel those same fingers trail deliberately down my spine. Was he doing this on purpose?
The tension was unbearable, and I opened my mouth, desperate to say something-anything-to cut through the awkwardness.
But my father cleared his throat first, clearly uncomfortable.
“My apologies, Mr. Carter,” he said stiffly. “I should explain about tonight. We were only here to settle things with the White family, to make a clean break-”
I nodded quickly, picking up where he left off.
“Dad’s right,” I added, glancing at Aiden with a flicker of unease. “Liam had promised to kneel and apologize. That’s the only reason we agreed to meet.”
I glanced up at Aiden, worried he might think I still had feelings for Liam. To my surprise, his expression was calm, almost amused.
“I trust my wife’s judgment,” he said simply, his eyes never leaving mine. “I have no doubt she had her reasons for being here tonight.”
My father’s eyebrows shot up at Aiden’s words, and I could see a newfound respect forming in his eyes.
When the elevator finally reached the lobby, we walked together toward the hotel entrance. Just before we reached the revolving doors, Aiden bent down, his lips close to my ear.
“Don’t forget to tell your father about that matter we discussed,” he murmured, his breath warm against my skin.
My brows lifted slightly. What matter? Was he talking about the land deal? Or… something else?
His tone gave nothing away, and I didn’t dare ask-not with Liam staring at us like he wanted to set the hotel on fire. 2
Then, more loudly, he added, “I’ll call you tomorrow, Mrs. Carter.”
The emphasis he placed on “Mrs. Carter” wasn’t subtle, especially with Liam now watching us from across the lobby. But somehow, I didn’t mind. In fact, a small part of me enjoyed it.
With a final nod to my father, Aiden strode away toward the valet stand, leaving us to make our way to our own car.
“Well,” my father said once we were settled in the back seat of our town car, “you’ve certainly grown up.”
I looked out the window, watching the city lights blur past. “I’m sorry, Dad. For everything. For being so stubborn before, for not listening when you tried to warn me about Liam.”
My father sighed deeply. “You know, when you first started dating Liam, I could see it in his eyes-that arrogance, that sense of entitlement. But you were so determined, so sure he was the one.” He shook his head, a
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rueful smile on his face. “And what father can deny his daughter anything that makes her happy?”
“I was such a fool,” I whispered.
“No,” he said firmly, reaching over to squeeze my hand. “You were in love. There’s a difference. Besides, even if I’d forbidden it, you probably would have run off with him anyway.”
I laughed softly, surprised by how much lighter I felt. “Probably. I was pretty headstrong.”
“Was?” He raised an eyebrow teasingly.
We fell into a comfortable silence, the city passing by outside the window.
Then I took a slow breath. “There’s something I should tell you.”
He looked over, quiet and attentive.
“It’s about the riverside property,” I said. “The one you gave me for my twenty-first birthday.”
He nodded. “What about it?”
I hesitated, then looked him in the eye. “I’m going to bring it with me when I marry into the Carter family. As part of my dowry.”
His expression didn’t change right away, but I saw the flicker of surprise. And then something softer.
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.” I paused, then glanced at him. “Aren’t you going to ask me why, Dad?”
He shook his head gently, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I told you before-if it’s your choice, I’ll support it. Always.”
After a while, he spoke again, his voice softer now.
“You know, all I’ve ever wanted-all your mother ever wanted-was for you to be safe and happy.” His eyes glistened in the dim light of the car. “Doesn’t matter if it’s with Liam or Carter or anyone else. Just… be happy, Aria.”
I leaned my head against his shoulder, the way I used to when I was little. “I’m working on it, Dad. I really am.”
The road ahead was still uncertain, but for once, every step I took was for myself.
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