The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 49

**Dust Writes New Stories by Rei Holt Wilder**
**Chapter 49**

**Aria’s POV**

The air around us crackled with an unspoken tension, palpable in the way Scarlett held me, her embrace tight yet fraught with unvoiced feelings. I could hear the slight quiver in her voice as she spoke, a telltale sign of the storm brewing beneath her composed exterior. Her gaze swept over my dress, a deliberate echo of her own signature style, and for a fleeting moment, her smile faltered—just a flicker, almost imperceptible to anyone who wasn’t attuned to the subtleties of our dynamic.

“Thank you, Scarlett,” I said, matching her feigned warmth with my own. “Today is significant, after all—my engagement to Ethan is on the agenda. I felt it necessary to dress accordingly.”

The way I emphasized “my engagement” and “Ethan” was not lost on her. Her smile froze momentarily, yet she held her composure with remarkable grace.

At that moment, Ethan stepped into the dining area, having briefly excused himself. The instant he laid eyes on me, he froze, his expression shifting from surprise to admiration as his gaze traveled from my face down to the delicate white lace of my dress and back again.

“Aria,” he breathed, closing the distance between us to take my hand, pressing a gentle kiss to my cheek. “You look absolutely stunning. I’ve never seen you more beautiful.”

From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Scarlett’s expression darkening, unmistakable jealousy flickering across her features. I leaned into Ethan’s touch, amplifying the warmth of our connection for Scarlett’s benefit.

“Shall we sit?” William interjected, gesturing toward the elegantly set table, the polished silverware glinting under the soft glow of the chandelier. “We have much to discuss.”

As we settled into our seats, Victoria maneuvered herself to sit beside me, her hand resting on my arm in what appeared to be a protective gesture.

“That dress is quite a departure from your usual style,” she remarked softly, her tone laced with a subtle critique. “Almost bridal, wouldn’t you agree?”

“I thought I’d try something different,” I replied, a hint of defiance in my voice. “Something that honors the classic elegance my mother always embodied. You remember her style, don’t you, Victoria? Before she fell ill?”

The mention of my mother had the desired effect, causing Victoria’s hand to twitch on my arm, her smile tightening.

“Your mother had exquisite taste,” she admitted, her voice stiff. “Though perhaps a bit dated by today’s standards.”

“Some things are timeless,” I countered smoothly, my gaze unwavering. “Like good taste. And loyalty.”

Victoria withdrew her hand as if it had been scorched, her attention suddenly fixated on the menu with an intensity that suggested she wished to escape the conversation.

The meal unfolded with the expected discussions surrounding our “engagement.” Marianne, ever the pragmatist, wasted no time in steering the conversation toward practicalities once our entrées arrived.

“We’ve been thinking,” she said, addressing both Ethan and me, “that announcing the engagement in a month would be ideal. This timeline gives us ample opportunity to plan a proper engagement party, and then we could schedule the wedding during the winter social season—perhaps December?”

“December?” I echoed, feigning surprise. “That seems rather soon.”

William interjected before I could elaborate. “It’s the perfect timing, Aria. The merger between Harper Media and Blake Fashion will be finalized by then. The wedding would serve as a fitting capstone to the deal.”

“What a wonderful idea,” Marianne beamed, clearly delighted by my enthusiasm.

Ethan nodded in agreement, though I noticed a flicker of reluctance cross his face. No doubt he’d had other plans for the afternoon—possibly with Scarlett.

“Perfect,” I said, my smile brightening. “Scarlett, would you like to join us? I’d love to have your artistic eye. You always have such… unique taste.”

Scarlett’s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected invitation, clearly caught off guard. “I… yes, of course. I’d be happy to help my big sister choose the perfect announcement.”

I could see the wheels turning in her mind, torn between the desire to keep an eye on Ethan and the discomfort of witnessing our engagement plans unfold.

“Wonderful,” I said, clapping my hands together in delight. “It’ll be the three of us, then.”

The atmosphere in the high-end stationery boutique was hushed and reverent, reminiscent of a library or a museum. Glass cases displayed samples of exquisitely crafted invitations, each more elaborate than the last. The owner, an elegant woman in her fifties named Margot, greeted us personally, her eyes sparkling at the prospect of creating engagement announcements for the Blake-Harper union.

“It’s such an honor to work with both of your families,” she gushed, leading us to a private consultation room in the back. “I’ve designed for both the Harper Media annual galas and the Blake summer collections launch. To create something that unites these two prestigious names is truly exciting.”

I smiled demurely, embracing the persona of the blushing bride-to-be. “We’re looking for something truly special. Cost is no object.”