Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 198

Aria's POV

I was jolted awake by my phone ringing, my body aching deliciously from last night's passionate lovemaking with Aiden.

It was my father Benjamin calling. Today marked my twenty-seventh birthday.

"Happy birthday, sweetheart," he said warmly. "Your gift will be delivered shortly."

"Thanks, Dad! I'll come over tonight for dinner," I replied, smiling into the phone.

Benjamin chuckled. "Enjoy your day with Aiden instead. I've made plans to go fishing with David anyway."

I didn't quite believe his convenient "fishing plans," but appreciated the thoughtful gesture. "Then we'll come over tomorrow for dinner instead."

"Perfect!"

After hanging up, I noticed my phone had exploded with birthday messages from friends. I spent the next fifteen minutes replying to each one, feeling warm inside from all the love.

Then my thoughts drifted to Aiden. It was my birthday—did he even remember?

As if summoned by my thoughts, Aiden pushed open the bedroom door, fresh from his morning swim. Droplets of water still clung to his broad shoulders, his dark hair slicked back.

I looked up at him expectantly. "Good morning."

"Good morning," he replied, approaching the bed where I sat. "Happy birthday, Mrs. Carter."

My eyes lit up. "Thank you."

Aiden's lips curved into that half-smile I adored. "Is that all it takes to please you?"

I felt my cheeks flush. "Well... where's my present?"

Without a word, he scooped me into his arms. I gasped, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck. "What are you doing?"

He carried me to the balcony, his muscles firm against my body. "Look down."

When I peered over the railing, my breath caught. The garden below was transformed into a sea of roses—hundreds of them in full bloom where there had been none the night before.

"Did you do this this morning?" I asked in disbelief.

"Last night," Aiden brushed a strand of hair from my face, his fingers lingering against my skin. "I planned to show you at midnight, but my wife was rather... exhausted."

Heat rushed to my face. "I don't even remember falling asleep."

I turned and pressed my lips to his cheek. "I love it. Thank you."

Aiden carried me back to our bedroom and set me on the edge of the bed. "I should freshen up," I said, slipping my feet into my slippers.

I practically floated into the bathroom, grinning as I brushed my teeth. Between all the birthday wishes and the garden of roses, my heart felt full to bursting.

When I emerged, Aiden stood by the balcony, the morning breeze ruffling his hair. I noticed a small box of mango candies on my vanity.

"Did you leave these?" I asked, pointing to the box.

Aiden turned, sunlight catching his features. "No, Doraemon must have dropped them off," he teased.

I opened the box and popped a candy into my mouth. It started sweet before the tanginess hit. "Want one?" I walked over and held one to his lips.

Aiden took it between his teeth, his eyes never leaving mine. "Why such a fondness for mango candies?"

I returned to my vanity and pumped some facial essence into my palm. "Because they make me happy."

"How did you discover that?" he asked, watching me through the mirror.

I patted the liquid into my skin. "Someone told me once."

"Who?"

I hesitated. "A man I met in high school."

"You must have liked him," Aiden observed, biting into the candy.

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