Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 158

Aria's POV

I stared at my bowl, unable to enjoy the delicious beef noodles anymore. My mind was spinning with guilt after learning Aiden had waited outside Lillian's apartment for me for an hour and a half.

My attempted cold shoulder act had crumbled instantly. Each bite felt tasteless now as shame washed over me.

After chewing and swallowing a mouthful, I glanced up at Aiden. "Mr. Carter," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Aiden had nearly finished his meal. He looked up, making a small sound in his throat. "Hmm?"

I fidgeted with my chopsticks, pressing them between my fingers. "I'm sorry I didn't check my phone earlier. I was chatting with my friend and didn't see your message."

My face burned hot with the lie. The truth was I'd seen his message and deliberately ignored it, but I couldn't bring myself to admit that.

I quickly lowered my head again, focusing intently on my noodles, afraid of what he might say next.

Five minutes later, I finished my last bite. As I reached to clear my bowl, Aiden's hand was already there, his fingers brushing against mine as he took it. I watched, speechless, as he carried both bowls to the kitchen.

I swallowed hard, finally acknowledging to myself that I'd been unreasonable today. Taking a deep breath, I resolved to be a better partner in our arrangement.

When Aiden returned from the kitchen, all my carefully rehearsed words vanished the moment our eyes met. God, why did guilt make me feel so small?

"Did you want to say something?" he asked, his finger casually pulling at his collar, loosening it further.

I allowed myself a single glance before properly averting my eyes. Gathering my courage, I tried apologizing again: "I'm really sorry for making you wait so long, Mr. Carter."

"What's there to apologize for?" He paused, then added with a hint of a smile, "It was only 105 minutes. Not that long."

I felt my face flush hotter. The fact he'd counted the minutes made me feel even worse. "It won't happen again."

"Won't happen how? You won't make me wait at all, or not that long?"

My cheeks were burning now. "I won't make you wait at all!"

I couldn't believe the CEO of Carter Industries, a man whose time was literally worth thousands of dollars per minute, had waited that long for me.

"I really don't mind," he said softly.

"Still doesn't feel right," I muttered.

Aiden's lips curved into a smile. "Next time, maybe don't schedule so early with Ms. Moore. When Mrs. Carter leaves first thing in the morning and I wake up to an empty house, I might think she's angry with me."

I bit my lip, unable to tell him that's exactly what I'd been—angry.

Feeling myself about to crack, I faked a yawn. "I'm getting pretty tired. I should go upstairs and shower before bed. Goodnight, Mr. Carter."

"Goodnight," he replied, standing up as well.

I'd planned to rush upstairs, but with Aiden following closely behind me, I had to maintain a normal pace climbing the stairs. Those stairs had never felt so endless.

When I finally reached my room, I closed the door and exhaled deeply. My phone was buzzing with messages from Lillian:

"Is there some misunderstanding between you two? He waited for you for an hour and a half!"

"Honey, did he make it up to you?"

Two minutes later: "Oh my god, you really made up? Ugh! I'm kicking away this dog food!"

I texted back: "What dog food?"

Lillian: "Aren't you two all lovey-dovey now? Just thinking about you two holding hands as you left makes me feel like such a third wheel!"

Me: "It's not what you think, let me explain..."

Lillian: "Nope, not listening! Stop feeding me your relationship sugar!"

I typed a long explanation about what had really happened tonight. Instead of sympathy, Lillian just mocked me: "You're hopeless!"

She seemed to think Aiden had been dropping hints that I'd completely missed. I didn't understand why she was suddenly sympathizing with him instead of me.

After that night, I stopped avoiding Aiden, but I didn't return to my previous behavior either. I carefully controlled where my eyes wandered, treating him with respect but nothing more, determined to be a proper business partner without any emotional attachment.

The following week, Aiden was scheduled for a business trip. Lucas personally delivered his itinerary to me.

Taking the schedule, I politely said, "Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Grant."

Usually, he would reply with, "It's no trouble at all, Mrs. Carter." But today was different.

Aiden waved him off, and Lucas gratefully escaped the office, relieved his job was safe.

Back at home, I paced nervously in our bedroom. When I heard the front door open downstairs much earlier than usual, my heart skipped a beat. Aiden was home—hours before his normal arrival time.

I hurried downstairs, finding him in the entryway removing his suit jacket. Our eyes met, and for once, I didn't look away.

"You're home early," I said softly.

He hung his jacket carefully. "I thought I'd have dinner at home tonight."

As he moved past me toward the stairs, I caught his arm without thinking. His skin was warm under my fingers, and I felt him freeze at my touch.

"Why didn't you tell me you were sick?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Aiden turned slowly to face me, his eyes searching mine. "Would it have mattered?"

The question hit me like a physical blow. Had I really been so cold that he thought I wouldn't care about his health?

"Of course it would," I said, my grip on his arm tightening. "I would have taken care of you."

Something flashed in his eyes—surprise, perhaps, or doubt. He stepped closer, so close I could feel the heat radiating from his body.

"Would you have?" he murmured, his breath warm against my face.

My heart hammered in my chest. "Yes," I whispered. "I am your wife, after all."

His eyes darkened at my words. Without warning, he leaned down, his lips brushing against my ear. "Even if it's just for show?"

A shiver ran down my spine at the sensation of his lips so close to my skin. "A good show requires commitment," I managed to say, my voice trembling slightly.

Aiden pulled back just enough to look into my eyes, his gaze intense. "Then perhaps Mrs. Carter should demonstrate that commitment now."

My breath caught in my throat as his hands moved to my waist, drawing me closer until our bodies pressed together. The familiar scent of his cologne surrounded me, making my head spin.

"How should I do that?" I asked, barely recognizing my own voice.

His thumb traced my lower lip, sending sparks across my skin. "Start by not running away this time."