Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 149

Aria's POV

I looked up from my laptop, exhausted after coordinating with Aiden and Julian to clear up that Valentine's Day misunderstanding. Thank God Lillian had offered to help by sharing our selfie with the timestamp. Still, reading those "just friends" comments online made my chest ache. It wasn't real between us, but damn if it didn't hurt anyway.

And then there was Aiden with Elena Pierce...

I covered my eyes, desperately trying to block out those thoughts when a knock startled me.

"Coming, Nanny!" I called, shuffling across the floor in my slippers.

When I opened the door, my heart nearly stopped. Aiden stood there, tall and imposing, his dark eyes fixed on me. Tears welled up instantly.

"Mr. Carter?" My voice cracked embarrassingly.

Realizing I was losing control, I looked away quickly, blinking furiously. "Why are you suddenly back?"

Tears escaped despite my efforts. "Would you believe me if I said I got something in my eye?" I attempted weakly.

"That upset?" he asked, his tone softening slightly.

His gentleness only made it worse. "Julian and I really don't have anything going on. How could people say such things about me?"

I held back what I really wanted to say—that I was hurt he hadn't come to my performance, hadn't picked me up afterwards. But those privileges belonged to the real Mrs. Carter, not an imposter like me.

I took a deep breath. "I'm just so angry!"

He watched me with those unfathomable dark eyes, saying nothing for what felt like eternity.

"Elena Pierce is my mother's friend's daughter," he finally said.

"Oh. Childhood sweethearts, then." My heart plummeted. This was it—I was about to be replaced.

"I've only met her about eight times in my life."

I was seconds from bursting into tears when he reached out, gently wiping a tear from the corner of my eye. "I've already had Lucas look into last night's incident. Elena's studio will issue a statement."

My heart raced chaotically as I worried he might see right through me—or worse, that he wouldn't.

"Should I... do anything?" I asked tentatively.

"Leave everything to me."

"That seems unfair," I said, chewing my lip. After all, I was partly responsible for this mess.

I glanced at him nervously. "Last night... you didn't come home?"

The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them. "I don't mean anything by it! Just curious!"

Aiden's lips curved into something almost like a smile. "I did."

The weight on my chest lifted instantly. "Those media outlets are just awful, making up stories!"

"Hmm." He loosened his top button. "Feeling better?"

"Much better." I touched my face self-consciously. Was my distress that obvious?

"Anything else you want to ask?"

I looked into those dark eyes and panicked, my ears burning. "No, nothing else!"

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