Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 281

Aria's POV

"You don't need to work so hard. I'd be thrilled if Mrs. Carter would use my credit card," Aiden said, his voice warm against my ear.

I remembered the secondary card he'd given me and felt my cheeks flush. "It's not the same thing."

"How is it different? We're legally married. Half of what I earn belongs to you." His fingers brushed against mine as we walked, sending little sparks up my arm.

I couldn't possibly imagine owning half of Aiden's fortune. What he had accumulated would take me several lifetimes to earn on my own. Of course, I kept this thought to myself. I wanted to maintain my pride without dismissing his feelings.

I turned to look at him, catching the way the streetlights illuminated his strong jawline. "Money for your gift should come from what I've earned, shouldn't it?" The night air felt cool against my heated skin.

When he heard my words, something changed in his eyes. They softened, and a genuine smile spread across his face. I could practically feel the warmth radiating from him.

"Mmm, Mrs. Carter certainly knows how to make me happy," he murmured, his thumb tracing circles on the inside of my wrist.

We reached the car, and Aiden opened the passenger door of his sleek black Bentley. His arm blocked the top of the doorway protectively as I slid into the leather seat. The familiar scent of his expensive cologne lingered in the car, making my heartbeat quicken slightly. Only after I was settled did he withdraw his hand to close the door and walk around to the driver's side.

Author's POV

Liam White watched Aria get into the car with Aiden, the sleek Bentley disappearing around the corner. A sharp pain stabbed through his chest with each beat of his heart.

Once, it had been him standing beside Aria, holding her hand. But in just six short months, everything had changed completely.

Recently, he'd been unable to sleep properly. When he woke in the middle of the night, his thoughts inevitably drifted to the twelve years he and Aria had shared together. He had always believed their relationship—childhood sweethearts for over a decade—transcended mere romance. There was family connection there, a bond that should have been unbreakable.

He had been certain that no matter what happened, he and Aria would never be apart in this lifetime. Yet it took just one wedding—one abandoned wedding—for him to lose her forever.

If he could go back and change things, he absolutely wouldn't have walked away that day. But there were no second chances. Aria had moved further and further beyond his reach.

"What are you looking at?" his female companion asked with a frown, unable to contain her curiosity.

Liam pulled his gaze away and shook his head. "Nothing. Just spotted an old friend."

"Let's go. I'll take you home," he offered.

Seeing his softened demeanor, her irritation faded. "I'd like to grab a late dinner. Care to join me?"

Liam hesitated, studying the beautiful woman before him. After a moment's internal struggle, he nodded. "Alright."

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