Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 330

Aria's POV

I led Linda to this adorable dessert café that Lillian and I stumbled upon last week. Hidden on a corner in the old district of New York, it's one of those gems you'd miss unless someone showed you. The entrance opens to a charming little courtyard with white swing chairs on one side and a vibrant flower garden on the other.

The interior is understated elegance personified—clean lines, soft colors, and that perfect ambient lighting that makes everyone look like they're glowing. I immediately asked for a private room upstairs. Between Linda's upcoming violin performance and my recent tabloid appearances as Mrs. Carter, the last thing we needed was someone snapping photos of us through the window.

"So, are you still playing?" I asked once we settled in, my fingers tracing the edge of my teacup.

Linda nodded, but I noticed how her smile dimmed. "I am now. But for two years, the Williams family wouldn't let me perform. They claimed my touring would 'damage our marriage.'"

God, I hated hearing her talk like this—so matter-of-fact about things that must have cut her to the core.

"My family was practically surviving on their money at that point, so I didn't have much choice," she continued, staring out the window overlooking the flower garden. "I still practiced in private though. Every single day."

Something about the intimate setting of our little room, with its view of blooming flowers and afternoon light filtering through lace curtains, seemed to loosen something in Linda. She wasn't holding back anymore.

I didn't interrupt. Some stories need to be told in one piece.

"Those two years were hell, Aria," she said quietly. "Rowan's sister was best friends with his high school sweetheart, and she made it perfectly clear I was the intruder. His mother was decent at first, but when Rowan only came home once or twice a month, somehow that became my fault too."

My heart ached watching her. Under her composed exterior, I could see the shadows of what she'd endured.

"As for Rowan himself..." Linda shrugged, turning back to me. "We're divorced now, so what's the point in trash-talking him? We never had real feelings for each other. It was a business arrangement from day one."

She glanced out the window again. "His indifference was actually the most predictable part."

I bit my lip, fighting back tears. Behind her brief summary lay years of loneliness, judgment, and silent suffering - all while I was wrapped up in my own drama with Liam.

"How did you finally get out?" I asked, reaching for her hand across the table.

A cynical smile played across her lips. "My family's company was dying for two years. When it finally collapsed completely, I had nothing left to lose." She tapped her spoon against the porcelain. "Of course, Mother Williams didn't want a divorce right when my family went bankrupt - too much bad PR about them abandoning us in our time of need. But I couldn't stay another second in that house."

"But how did you convince them?" I pressed, knowing how powerful families like the Williamses protect their image at all costs.

"Simple strategy," Linda said with a hollow laugh. "I made sure all the blame fell on me. Once I became the villain in the narrative, they couldn't sign those papers fast enough."

My throat tightened. I squeezed her hand. "Lindy..."

She waved me off, suddenly brightening. "It's ancient history! I didn't tell you all this for pity points."

"I'm not pitying you," I said softly. "I'm celebrating your freedom. You escaped."

"Hell yeah, I did!" She raised her bubble tea dramatically. "To new beginnings!"

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