Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 311

Author's POV

The combination of the warm shower earlier and the intensely intimate phone call left Aria deliciously drowsy, utterly sated. She curled up on their bed, listening to the persistent rain against the windows, its steady drumming a lulling rhythm, and drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Aria's deep slumber lasted until past five in the afternoon, and the rain continued its soft, melancholic patter outside when she finally stirred awake. On her phone, several missed calls blinked—one from Benjamin Jones, and two from an unknown number.

Aria was about to dial back when a text message from Owen Duncan popped up on her screen: Your car has been sent to the dealership for repairs. It will take three working days to fix.

Aria quickly replied: Okay, thank you.

Almost immediately, another message from Owen followed: My secretary tried calling you about this. No need to return the call.

Aria typed another succinct response: Okay, thank you. Owen.

The next morning brought the official news: Benjamin Jones's surgery had been scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at three o'clock. Aria called Aiden that evening to update him.

"You don't need to rush back, Aiden," she assured him, trying to sound as unconcerned as possible. "The doctor says it's a very minor procedure."

"Mmm," he responded softly, a noncommittal hum that she knew masked his own concern.

Their conversation drifted to other topics, his voice a comforting presence. But Aria intentionally cut it short. She had only learned about the ongoing crisis at Corporation from the morning news, and knowing the immense pressure Aiden was currently under, she didn't want to take up any more of his valuable time with her own, comparatively trivial, concerns.

"I'm hanging up now, Aiden. Get some rest too," she said quickly, ending the call before he could protest. She knew he wouldn't hang up first. Her heart, though, still yearned for his presence, a quiet ache that would persist until he was back in her arms.

Aiden looked at his phone screen, which now displayed "Call Ended," and couldn't help but chuckle softly to himself.

"Lucas," he called, turning to his assistant. "Please reschedule my flight for tomorrow to noon."

Lucas nodded instantly. "Yes, Mr. Carter."

Aiden waved a dismissive hand. "Arrange the car. Ten minutes, then back to the hotel." He couldn't shake the almost urgent need to be back with his wife.

Aria's POV

I felt my heart skip a beat when I spotted Aiden walking toward me in the hospital waiting area. I blinked several times, convinced my tired mind was playing tricks on me.

"You're back? How?" I stammered, words tumbling out in a rush of surprise and concern. "I told you not to rush home! What about the company crisis? I saw the news reports and—"

Aiden silenced my rambling with a kiss, his arms wrapping around me with reassuring strength. My worry dissolved momentarily against his lips, replaced by the warm certainty of his presence.

We settled into the uncomfortable hospital chairs, watching the electronic display board where my father's name had just appeared with the status "Surgery in Progress." Dad's minor heart procedure would only take about an hour, but waiting for those sixty minutes felt like torture. I'd been at the hospital since early morning after a rushed breakfast, missing my usual afternoon nap. Despite leaning against Aiden's shoulder, sleep remained impossible as my eyes stayed fixed on that glowing screen.

"How did your car suddenly break down on Monday?" Aiden asked, gently redirecting my attention with a squeeze of my hand.

I turned from the monitor to meet his gaze. "Still don't know. It's at the dealership—I haven't picked it up yet."

"You took a taxi here today?"

"Mmhmm."

He massaged my palm softly, his touch warm and comforting. "Aren't there two other cars in the garage you could have used?"

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