Too Late, Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 61 - チャプター 70

Aria's POVIt's been a whole week since that night in the pool, and I've barely seen Aiden.Each night, I go to bed alone in my room, wondering if tonight might be the night he shows up—or at least says something.But every morning, nothing's changed. Just silence, and the distant sound of a door closing somewhere down the hall.The man is practically a phantom when he's busy—appearing just long enough to remind me he exists before vanishing again into whatever corporate vortex consumes him.Now I understand how Carter Industries has thrived under his leadership. The man simply never stops working.My father called a week after I moved in, asking a few obligatory questions about my wellbeing before tactfully reducing communication.I appreciated the space he was giving me, though I sometimes missed our regular check-ins.Liam, on the other hand, refuses to take the hint. He's cycled through at least four different phone numbers, sending me what I can only describe as midnight poetry a

Aria's POVI slumped against the car seat, mentally kicking myself. God, what was I thinking? My big mouth had gotten me into trouble again. Thomas looked like he was about to have a stroke right there at the dinner table.I snuck a nervous glance at Aiden, fully expecting him to rip into me for causing a scene. Instead, his face was weirdly calm, not a trace of anger."Did they scare you?" he asked, voice low and steady."No," I shook my head, chewing my bottom lip anxiously. "Aren't you mad at me? I think I went too far... your uncle looked ready to explode."To my complete shock, Aiden's lips curved into a smile—an actual smile—as he reached over and patted my head gently. "Well done.""What?" I blinked rapidly, wondering if my ears were playing tricks on me.Seeing my confused face, something in his dark eyes softened just a fraction. "Are you hungry? You barely ate."I licked my lips nervously, suddenly aware of the hollow feeling in my stomach. "A little." Truth was, I'd been sh

Aria's POVI collapsed onto my bed, exhausted but strangely exhilarated after that awkward yet somehow meaningful moment with Aiden. My phone buzzed insistently, and I groaned, fishing it out from under my pillow. Lillian had bombarded me with messages.[Lillian]: GIRL WHAT IS HAPPENING[Lillian]: Are you wearing that sexy nightgown I got you for your birthday?[Lillian]: Please tell me you're finally comforting your hot fake husband.[Lillian]: Making baby Carters yet?My face instantly heated to approximately the temperature of the sun. I typed back furiously:[Me]: Seriously?! No! I just fed him some noodles and gave him candy to suck on!The moment I hit send, I realized the catastrophic double entendre. My phone immediately exploded with laughing emojis.[Lillian]: OH. MY. GOD.[Lillian]: YOU DID WHAT NOW?!?!?[Lillian]: I didn't think you had it in you!!!"No, no, no!" I groaned aloud, typing so fast my fingers slipped on the screen.[Me]: INSTANT NOODLES! I COOKED HIM INSTANT N

Aria's POV"Aiden..." I touched the delicate piano key pendant hanging at my neck, feeling strangely vulnerable under his intense gaze. "But why...?"Instead of answering my question, he moved closer, his eyes never leaving mine."Would you play something for me?" he asked, his voice low and intimate in the quiet room.The abrupt change of subject threw me off balance, but I nodded. "Of course. What would you like to hear?""Traumerei," Aiden said. "Schumann's Dreaming."My fingers hesitated above the keys. Traumerei - one of the most romantic pieces in classical piano repertoire, written by Robert Schumann for his beloved Clara. It was essentially a musical love letter.When I didn't respond immediately, Aiden slipped the small velvet box into his pocket. "You don't want to play it?""It's not that..."I studied his face, searching for some hint of his intentions. His expression remained characteristically impassive, giving nothing away.Perhaps I was overthinking this. Traumerei was

Aria's POVI felt my ears burn instantly when Aiden said "my wife." The flush spread across my face like wildfire.This was exactly what I'd hoped to avoid—getting him involved in this petty drama. But before I could even open my mouth to downplay things, Summer's indignation got the better of her."Mr. Carter, they treated Aria horribly in there!" Summer launched into a detailed account of everything—from the coordinator shoving me to Diana's condescending remarks.Her words tumbled out so fast I couldn't stop her.Aiden listened silently, his expression growing more controlled with each detail Summer shared. When she finally finished, he turned to me with those penetrating eyes that always seemed to see right through me."I understand now," he said evenly. "How long until the performance starts?"Summer, clearly delighted that Aiden was taking my side, quickly answered: "About thirty minutes.""Give me a moment," he said to me, stepping aside with his phone.I watched him walk away,