The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 16

**Dust Writes New Stories**
*by Rei Holt Wilder*

**Aria’s POV**

The enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the sweet scent of pastries, gently pulling me from the depths of sleep the following morning. For a fleeting moment, as I lay in the familiar embrace of my childhood bedroom, I found myself momentarily disoriented, as if I had slipped into a dream. The ceiling above me, adorned with the same faded stars I had painted years ago, felt like a comforting shroud. But then, like a wave crashing onto the shore, the memories of the previous night surged back—Ethan’s dramatic outburst at Pantheon, Devon’s hesitant offer of a second chance, and the proposal I was desperately trying to refine for tonight’s presentation.

Glancing at the clock, I noted the time: 9:30 AM. A mere few hours of sleep had graced my restless mind, but there was no luxury of time to squander. I hurried through a quick shower, the water cascading over me like a refreshing waterfall, and dressed in a simple black turtleneck paired with jeans—one of the few outfits I had managed to keep at the mansion. As I made my way down the grand staircase, the lively chatter from the dining room grew louder, punctuated by my father’s authoritative baritone, Victoria’s practiced, melodious laughter, and Scarlett’s saccharine responses that dripped with false sweetness.

With a deep breath to steady my nerves, I stepped into the dining room, and the lively conversation came to an abrupt halt.

“Well, look who’s finally decided to grace us with her presence,” my father remarked, lowering his newspaper with a flourish. William Harper, my father, with his silver-streaked dark hair and a perpetual expression of disapproval, commanded the head of the table just as he did in every boardroom meeting.

“Aria!” Scarlett chirped, her voice laced with an exaggerated brightness as she rose slightly from her chair. “Oh my, we had no idea you returned home last night! I would have set another place for breakfast had I known.” She glided toward the sideboard, her flowing white dress billowing around her like a veil of innocence.

“Don’t trouble yourself,” I replied coolly, pouring myself a cup of steaming coffee.

“Where were you last night, young lady?” My father’s voice sliced through the air, sharp and unyielding. “You know I don’t appreciate you coming and going at all hours without informing anyone.”

I suppressed a laugh, the absurdity of the situation bubbling just beneath the surface. “I wasn’t aware I needed to file a report on my whereabouts. I’m twenty-four, not fourteen.”

“While you’re under my roof—”

“I was working,” I interjected, taking a seat as far away from Scarlett as I could manage. “Some of us have actual jobs and responsibilities.”

Victoria cleared her throat delicately, her demeanor poised. “William, darling, Aria is correct. She’s a businesswoman now, with her own schedule to manage.” Her perfectly manicured hand rested on my father’s arm, a calculated gesture of mediation that spoke volumes.

Scarlett returned, a place setting in hand, her smile never quite reaching her eyes. “Here you go, sis.”

“Thanks,” I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm as I added, “You’re really adept at taking things that don’t belong to you.”

The table fell into a heavy silence, the tension palpable. Scarlett’s smile faltered for just a heartbeat before she masked it with an artful recovery. “I don’t know what you mean.”

My father’s glare was like a thundercloud. “Aria, that’s enough. Scarlett is showing kindness, which is more than I can say for you this morning.”

I sipped my coffee, the warmth contrasting with the coldness of the room. “Just an observation.”

The atmosphere thickened with unspoken words, and Victoria, ever the master of manipulation, smoothly shifted the conversation.

“Did you hear about Ethan?” she inquired, her voice a delicate blend of concern and gossip. “He was in a car accident last night. Nothing too serious, apparently, but he’s in the hospital for observation.”

I froze mid-sip, the cup hovering just below my lips.

“How terrible,” Scarlett murmured, her eyes cast down in a performance of distress that felt all too rehearsed.

Victoria continued, her tone almost conspiratorial, “Perhaps you girls should visit him today. I’m sure he’d appreciate seeing both of you.”

“Both of us?” I echoed incredulously, disbelief coloring my voice. “I’m sure Scarlett’s presence would be more than sufficient for him.”

“What family?” I scoffed, the bitterness in my voice unmistakable. “This isn’t a family; it’s a business arrangement with living quarters.”

Scarlett’s innocent expression twisted into something darker. “You’re just bitter because Daddy loves me more now. And because Ethan prefers me.”

I stood up, gathering my papers and laptop, my heart pounding with rage. “Keep telling yourself that, Scarlett. Enjoy my leftovers.”

Victoria’s eyes narrowed, her voice a sharp whisper. “Your father is considering removing you from the board of Harper Group if you continue this behavior. Is that what you want?”

Instead of answering, I simply raised my middle finger as I walked out, relishing the scandalized gasp from Victoria and Scarlett’s outraged, “How dare you!”

I headed for the front door, my mind already shifting to the day ahead and the critical meeting with Devon that awaited me tonight. As I reached for the handle, my phone buzzed insistently in my pocket. The screen lit up with “Marianne Blake,” and I hesitated, a knot forming in my stomach before answering. “Marianne, good morning.”

“Aria, dear,” Marianne’s voice trembled with an undercurrent of worry. “Ethan was in an accident last night. He’s been asking for you since he regained consciousness. He keeps saying your name. Could you… would you please come to the hospital?”

I closed my eyes, a wave of conflicting emotions crashing over me. Part of me screamed to refuse outright, to tell her that Ethan’s issues were no longer mine to bear. But the thought of disappointing Marianne was unbearable.

“He’s manipulating you to get to me, Marianne,” I said, unable to mask the bitterness that seeped into my tone.

“Perhaps,” she conceded softly. “But I’m genuinely worried about him, Aria. I’ve never seen him like this.”

I sighed, already regretting my decision. “Which hospital?”

“Mount Sinai. Thank you, Aria. I know this isn’t easy for you.”