Semua Bab Too Late, Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now: Bab 151 - Bab 160

Aria's POVI clutched the roses Claire had given me, suddenly realizing I'd been standing dumbstruck at the door for several minutes. Embarrassment washed over me as I hurried back inside the house.Thank God no one else saw me zoning out like an idiot!After arranging the enormous bouquet in a vase, I finally checked those screenshots Lillian had sent. Elena Pierce's studio had issued a clarification thirty minutes ago: She'd returned to the country last night and coincidentally met her old friend Aiden Carter at the hotel. Unfortunately, she'd fallen ill, and Aiden had rushed her to the hospital. They apologized for any misunderstandings.Before Elena's statement, Aiden's company had already posted their own explanation: "Our CEO Mr. Carter merely happened to encounter Ms. Pierce at the Pearl Grand Hotel last evening. Contrary to online rumors, he did not specifically go to the airport to meet her. When Ms. Pierce suddenly fell ill, Mr. Carter took her to seek medical attention, whi

Aria's POVThe online storm had finally settled, but Lillian’s words had cast a spell on my mind.Every time I saw Aiden these past few days, her question would echo in my head on a loop: *“Don’t you think Aiden might actually be flirting with you?”*It had gotten to the point where I was seeing him through a bizarre filter, like some kind of creep analyzing his micro-expressions.And of course, karma came for me.It was a clear weekend morning, and the ever-disciplined Mr. Carter had just finished his morning swim. As I came downstairs, he was drying his hair, the collar of his robe falling open just enough to reveal a hint of those abs you couldn’t look away from. By the time I realized I’d been staring too long, it was too late.When I heard that “Like what you see?”, my sleep-deprived brain short-circuited, and Lillian’s haunting question tumbled out of my mouth: “Mr. Carter, are you trying to seduce me?”Aiden looked at me, the corner of his lips quirking up, fine lights shimmeri

Aria's POVI woke up with a start when I heard movement in the living room. Lillian was supposed to be asleep for at least another hour. Embarrassed at being caught in the act, I quickly tried to hide what I was doing."Not sleeping anymore?" I asked, trying to sound casual."Just getting up to pee," she mumbled, stretching and yawning dramatically.I huffed. "You look wide awake to me. Maybe we should just head out now."Seriously? She had to come check on me right when I was doing something embarrassing? She seemed perfectly alert!Lillian coughed lightly. "I'm still exhausted. You keep... poking away at your screen." She gestured vaguely at my phone before retreating to her bathroom.Great. She'd seen me stabbing at Aiden's photos and had the nerve to tease me about it!After she left, I felt too self-conscious to continue my petty revenge against Aiden's digital face. With a sigh, I closed the social media app and checked the time.Only 8:10? Time was crawling by impossibly slowly

Aria's POVLillian looked more shocked than I was. "I've been with you all day! You know everything I've done!"Fair point.As Aiden got closer, I remembered that I'd not only hung up on him earlier, but I'd also ignored his message asking when I'd be home.My palms instantly became sweaty with guilt. "I've changed my mind," I whispered desperately to Lillian. "Can I stay at your place tonight after all?"Just one night!Before Lillian could respond, Aiden was already standing in front of us.Despite the muggy August heat that lingered even at night, he was dressed in his usual black shirt and loose dark pants. All black from head to toe, making his tall frame look even more imposing.The familiar scent of sandalwood drifted toward me, and my heart pounded so hard I could feel my pulse in my throat. I stood there frozen, having absolutely no idea what to say.Lillian seemed equally terrified, backing away instinctively as Aiden approached. When he reached out his hand, I saw her actua

Aria's POVI slumped onto the couch, still clutching Aiden's itinerary but unable to focus on it. My mind kept replaying Lucas's words over and over: "Mr. Carter came down with chickenpox last week. He had a fever for three straight days."So while I'd been convinced Aiden was deliberately distancing himself from me, he'd actually been burning with fever and covered in chickenpox?My eyes suddenly stung with tears. God, I'd been so childish with my petty anger.I texted Lillian immediately: "...Lil, was I being too harsh?"She replied bluntly: "Do you really need to ask me that question?""What should I do then? Just apologize?" I typed back."If apologies were enough, we wouldn't need police, would we?" she shot back. "I'll give you some straightforward advice - why don't you just tell him how you feel? Make him happy for once?""That's all the help I've got for you, honey!"I sighed. Should've known Lillian wouldn't be genuinely helpful.I turned to searching online instead, hoping