Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 86

Aria's POV

I woke up the next morning to find my phone blinking with notifications. Unlocking it, I saw several messages from Lillian sent last night.

Lillian: So Aiden was back? Some wife you are, not even knowing when your own husband returns!

Lillian: No worries, just explain to the police! I overreacted!

Lillian: Hello?

Lillian: [Where are you.JPG]

Lillian: Gotcha. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I'll leave you two alone!

My face flushed hot remembering last night as I typed back that I'd just woken up.

Lillian replied instantly: Was it a night of three hundred rounds of battle?

I: ...

Thinking about our "battle" from last night, my cheeks burned even redder as I quickly changed the subject.

After sitting in bed contemplating life for a while, I finally got up to shower. By the time I made it downstairs, it was already past nine. Having gone to sleep at 1 AM, I was exhausted, yawning as I descended the stairs.

The mansion was eerily quiet. I headed toward the kitchen where Lucy immediately brought out breakfast when she saw me.

"Thank you," I said gratefully. "How was Mr. Carter's—I mean, Aiden's appetite this morning?"

Lucy placed a stack of hash browns on the table. "Mr. Carter's appetite was about the same as usual."

I nodded, "What time did he leave?"

Then, feeling self-conscious, I added: "I slept in today, so I didn't see when he got up."

Lucy didn't seem to think anything of it. After all, being on vacation, it made sense I'd sleep late. "Mr. Carter left at 8:30."

So early.

I nodded again, feeling relieved to confirm Aiden had gone to work. The charity concert drama had finally died down, though I'd been receiving calls from unknown numbers for days. I never answered unfamiliar calls—with all the phone scams these days, who would?

Little did I know those calls were from Thomas Carter's assistant.

---

Aiden's POV

I was in my office going through reports when my phone rang. It was my uncle, Thomas.

The moment I picked up, his voice thundered through the line, raw with anger. "Aiden, you have three months. Divorce her."

I leaned back in my chair, my tone cool, almost bored. "And if I refuse?"

"Then I'll no longer consider you my nephew!" His fury was so sharp it practically vibrated through the phone.

I let out a quiet, humorless laugh. "Then don't. After all, you have your own son, don't you?"

There was a short, furious exhale on the other end—and then he hung up without another word.

I stared at the dark screen for a moment before my lips curved into a mocking smile. Typical Thomas.

That was when Lucas walked in. He froze for half a beat, sensing the tension in the air. Then he straightened his posture, voice carefully neutral. "Mr. Carter, there's a gala this Friday hosted by Millennium Group. Would you like to attend?"

I glanced at the invitation on my desk. "No."

"Understood." He nodded and turned to leave, clearly relieved I wasn't about to bite his head off.

But just as he reached the door, I said, "Wait."

He turned back immediately. "Yes, sir?"

"Does this gala require a female companion?" I asked, keeping my tone casual.

He blinked, clearly confused, but answered professionally. "Yes, but… given your position, no one would dare say anything if you went alone."

I picked up the invitation, turning it once between my fingers. "Send this home with a message for my wife. I expect her to accompany me to the gala."

Lucas actually looked startled before quickly schooling his expression.

"Is there a problem?" I asked, my voice edged with steel.

"No problem at all, sir. I'll deliver it to Mrs. Carter immediately."

"Good."

He left in a hurry.

---

Another team fight erupted, and I no longer had the mental capacity to worry about how close Aiden and I were sitting.

With Aiden occasionally offering advice, I only died twice this round.

When the game ended, I proudly showed him my score: "I got MVP!"

"Impressive," he said, his eyes fixed on me.

That's when I realized I was practically sitting in his lap.

Suddenly flustered, my hand trembled slightly as I held my phone.

My ears burned red, the blush spreading quickly across my cheeks and face.

No way!

I bit my lip, placing my hand on the sofa to discreetly create some distance between us.

Unfortunately, my hand slipped on the smooth leather surface. Just as I started to stand, I lost my balance and landed on the floor cushion, my head tipping forward and bumping right into Aiden's thigh.

"..."

I swear I was just trying to move away a little! I had no other intentions!

I sheepishly looked up, unexpectedly meeting his dark eyes. Biting my lip, I swallowed nervously: "I... lost my balance."

Yeah, like he'd believe that.

Aiden stared at my crimson earlobes, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly: "Did you hurt yourself?"

"No!"

I quickly stood up, steadying myself against the coffee table. My backside was throbbing with pain, but I was too embarrassed to rub it, so I just endured it. "It's getting late, I should go to bed."

Aiden didn't call me out on my obvious excuse: "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

I bent down to pick up my phone. As I raised my hand, my pinky accidentally brushed against the back of his hand resting on his leg.

I instinctively curled my finger away, gripped my phone tightly, and hurried back to my room.