Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 212

Aria's POV

Delayed for half an hour, I finally arrived home just after ten.

While taking off my shoes, I video-called Aiden.

He answered almost instantly. “Home safe?”

“Just now,” I replied, walking over to the counter to pour myself a glass of water. I took small sips, the cool liquid soothing my parched throat.

Through the screen, I could feel Aiden’s gaze following my lips where they touched the rim of the glass. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly. “Something happen on your way back?”

I glanced up at his face on my phone screen. “It’s just… a minor thing.”

I didn’t want to tell him what had happened earlier.

I didn’t want Aiden to worry too much.

My eyes darted away quickly.

The corner of Aiden’s mouth lifted into a meaningful smile. “What ‘minor thing’?”

Even through the screen, I couldn’t withstand that sharp gaze.

So I chose to tell the truth. “On my way home, I came across someone who suddenly fell ill…”

“Playing the good Samaritan again?”

I flinched, letting out a soft, muffled “Mhm.”

I guess so?

“What’s wrong with my wife helping others that you couldn’t even tell me?” He paused meaningfully. “Or was the person you sent to the hospital… Liam?”

It had been so long since I’d heard that name. The implication that I’d been with my ex made my blood boil. “Absolutely not! A stranger flagged me down saying his friend urgently needed to get to the hospital!”

“So you’re saying someone forced you to pull over?”

“…”

His voice suddenly filled with anger.

“Aria?” His low tone from the other end of the call made my hand tremble slightly around the glass.

I bit my lip, my voice growing quieter. “It happened on Maple Avenue. I was afraid I might hit him, so I slowed down. Then I had to stop.”

I am a law-abiding citizen, after all!

Aiden lowered his head and stayed silent. In those few brief seconds of quiet, my eyes began to sting.

It felt like an eternity passed before I couldn’t take it anymore. “Please don’t be angry,” I nearly sobbed.

He wasn’t home—how could I comfort him if he was upset?

Aiden looked up and immediately noticed my reddened eyes.

A strange flicker passed over his face. He raised a hand as if to touch my cheek, then remembered we were on a video call.

I felt embarrassed again. “I forgot to text you. I was on a video call with Aiden.”

“Oh, great, rubbing salt in my wound this late! I’m hanging up now!”

“Goodnight, sweetie.”

“Goodnight!”

Lillian really is my best friend.

By the time I finished showering, it was already eleven. I quickly sent Aiden a “goodnight” text but fell asleep before seeing his reply.

Without Aiden beside me, I slept fitfully. Having gone to bed late, I couldn’t seem to open my eyes when the phone rang in the morning.

Half-asleep, I fumbled for my phone, immediately muted it, and drifted off again.

When I finally stirred, I heard voices outside the bedroom.

Still drowsy, I assumed it was the housekeeper. “Ma’am, is it time for lunch?” I called out, my voice hoarse from sleep.

There was no response. Frowning, I sat up.

Did I imagine it?

Just as the thought crossed my mind, footsteps approached the bedroom.

Instinctively, I looked up and found myself staring into a pair of familiar eyes, while breathing in that unique sandalwood scent I’d recognize anywhere.