Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 110

Aria's POV

I woke up feeling like I'd been hit by a truck. Every muscle in my body ached, especially my lower back. Last night with Aiden had been... intense. I couldn't even remember falling asleep after our passionate lovemaking session.

Groaning, I stretched and rolled out of bed, heading straight for the bathroom. By the time I finished showering and made my way downstairs for breakfast, Aiden had already left for work. A note sat next to my coffee cup: "Had an early meeting. Dinner at 7? - A"

I smiled, tracing my finger over his handwriting when my phone rang. Lillian's name flashed on the screen.

"Hey, what's up?" I answered, taking a sip of coffee.

"My company's doing a beach retreat next week, and I need a sexy swimsuit ASAP. Emergency shopping trip today?"

I laughed. "Why do you need a 'sexy' swimsuit for a corporate retreat?"

"Because Ryan from accounting will be there, duh! Pick you up in an hour?"

That's how I found myself at Manhattan's most exclusive swimwear boutique that afternoon, watching Lillian try on her fifteenth swimsuit.

"None of these are working," she groaned, emerging from the dressing room in a red one-piece.

While Lillian continued her search, I wandered over to the lingerie section. A black lace set caught my eye, and I found myself lingering.

"Well, well, well," Lillian appeared beside me with a knowing smirk. "Shopping for something to surprise Aiden?"

"What? No, I was just looking," I protested, feeling my cheeks flush.

Lillian ignored me, waving over the saleswoman. "She'll try this in a size 4, please."

"Lillian!"

"What? Just try it on. No commitment."

Before I knew it, I was standing in the dressing room staring at my reflection in the mirror. The delicate black lace hugged every curve perfectly. It was definitely more risqué than anything I'd ever owned before.

"Everything okay in there?" Lillian called out.

"I don't know..." I hesitated, studying my reflection. "It's a little... much."

"Let me see!"

"Absolutely not!"

I heard her laugh. "Come on, Aria. Live a little!"

Looking at myself again, I had to admit it was beautiful. And the way Aiden had been looking at me lately... I bit my lip, imagining his reaction.

"Fine. I'll take it," I called out, quickly changing back into my clothes. I ended up buying two sets - the black lace and a deep burgundy silk one that made me feel like a 1940s film star.

Lillian, meanwhile, left empty-handed. "Nothing felt right," she sighed. "Let's try the designer boutiques at Union Square."

"I need to get my dad a birthday present anyway," I agreed. "Maybe a new watch."

At Chanel, Lillian headed straight for a classic flap bag she'd been eyeing for months. "Mom's been coveting this since her neighbor got one. Perfect birthday gift."

She made her purchase efficiently while I browsed the watches, thinking about what my father might like. That's when I heard a painfully familiar voice.

"Do you have any new arrivals this season?"

My eyes met Lillian's across the store. "You've got to be kidding me," I whispered.

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