Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 110

Aria's POV

I woke up feeling like I'd been hit by a truck. Every muscle in my body ached, especially my lower back. Last night with Aiden had been... intense. I couldn't even remember falling asleep after our passionate lovemaking session.

Groaning, I stretched and rolled out of bed, heading straight for the bathroom. By the time I finished showering and made my way downstairs for breakfast, Aiden had already left for work. A note sat next to my coffee cup: "Had an early meeting. Dinner at 7? - A"

I smiled, tracing my finger over his handwriting when my phone rang. Lillian's name flashed on the screen.

"Hey, what's up?" I answered, taking a sip of coffee.

"My company's doing a beach retreat next week, and I need a sexy swimsuit ASAP. Emergency shopping trip today?"

I laughed. "Why do you need a 'sexy' swimsuit for a corporate retreat?"

"Because Ryan from accounting will be there, duh! Pick you up in an hour?"

That's how I found myself at Manhattan's most exclusive swimwear boutique that afternoon, watching Lillian try on her fifteenth swimsuit.

"None of these are working," she groaned, emerging from the dressing room in a red one-piece.

While Lillian continued her search, I wandered over to the lingerie section. A black lace set caught my eye, and I found myself lingering.

"Well, well, well," Lillian appeared beside me with a knowing smirk. "Shopping for something to surprise Aiden?"

"What? No, I was just looking," I protested, feeling my cheeks flush.

Lillian ignored me, waving over the saleswoman. "She'll try this in a size 4, please."

"Lillian!"

"What? Just try it on. No commitment."

Before I knew it, I was standing in the dressing room staring at my reflection in the mirror. The delicate black lace hugged every curve perfectly. It was definitely more risqué than anything I'd ever owned before.

"Everything okay in there?" Lillian called out.

"I don't know..." I hesitated, studying my reflection. "It's a little... much."

"Let me see!"

"Absolutely not!"

I heard her laugh. "Come on, Aria. Live a little!"

Looking at myself again, I had to admit it was beautiful. And the way Aiden had been looking at me lately... I bit my lip, imagining his reaction.

"Fine. I'll take it," I called out, quickly changing back into my clothes. I ended up buying two sets - the black lace and a deep burgundy silk one that made me feel like a 1940s film star.

Lillian, meanwhile, left empty-handed. "Nothing felt right," she sighed. "Let's try the designer boutiques at Union Square."

"I need to get my dad a birthday present anyway," I agreed. "Maybe a new watch."

At Chanel, Lillian headed straight for a classic flap bag she'd been eyeing for months. "Mom's been coveting this since her neighbor got one. Perfect birthday gift."

She made her purchase efficiently while I browsed the watches, thinking about what my father might like. That's when I heard a painfully familiar voice.

"Do you have any new arrivals this season?"

My eyes met Lillian's across the store. "You've got to be kidding me," I whispered.

"Then why should I waste my breath talking to you?"

I sighed dramatically. "Do you actually need something, Emily? Because if not, I'm leaving. And please don't make a scene yelling after me. The store is packed, and people might think I've shoplifted something and you're security chasing me down."

Her face turned an impressive shade of red. After a moment, she blurted: "My brother is getting married!"

"Good for him," I replied evenly, despite feeling like I'd been punched in the gut. I kept my expression neutral, refusing to give her the satisfaction.

My apparent lack of reaction only infuriated her more. "You were obviously cheating with Aiden all along! No wonder you were so quick to dump Liam! And then pretending to be heartbroken online..."

Was she serious right now? In the middle of Chanel?With at least fifteen curious onlookers pretending not to listen?

As Emily continued her tirade, my eyes landed on a cup of coffee sitting on a nearby display table. Without hesitation, I walked over, picked it up, and returned to where she stood mid-rant.

The coffee splashed across her face before she even realized what was happening.

"You—you threw coffee on me?" she sputtered, mascara running down her cheeks.

I stared at her coldly. "Next time, bring your brain when you leave the house. If that doesn't work, go jump in the Hudson to clear your head. Think before you speak. If I ever hear you say another word against Aiden, I promise what I throw won't be coffee—it'll be acid. Do you understand?"

Emily stood frozen, clearly shocked by my reaction. She'd never seen this side of me before. The old Aria would have walked away in coffers.

As a final touch, I tossed the empty cup at her face before turning to leave.

"Let's go, Lillian," I said calmly, though my heart was racing. As we walked away, I heard the stunned whispers of other shoppers,but I didn't care.

"That was INCREDIBLE," Lillian whispered as we power-walked away. "I didn't know you had it in you!"

Neither did I, but defending Aiden came as naturally as breathing now. Some lines simply couldn't be crossed.