Chapter 6
868 Words
Edrick’s POV
If they ever handed out awards for insanity, Aria Dawson would win every single one.
Because tell me why she tried to sip wine while pregnant with my baby and still had the audacity to ask me, “What baby?”
I could have said, "The baby you used to trap me into marrying you."
But that would only create the kind of drama I am not ready to face in front of the media.
Everyone’s eyes were already on us.
The fact that this was the first time the pregnancy was mentioned publicly made it instant gossip. It would be all over the news in seconds.
Every person at the table stared, and Aria just blinked back at me with that same questioning gaze.
This is the woman I married? I blame Father for forcing me into this sham of a marriage.
“My wife is quite exhausted.”
I slid an arm around her shoulders. She stiffened instantly, as if my touch burned.
Ignoring her reaction, I faced my business partner. “Mr Roger, it was a pleasure dining with you. Jason will handle the remaining formalities, and we can wrap the deal tomorrow.”
“Sure, Mr Vale,” Roger replied politely.
“That will be all for tonight.” I turned to the board members, then led Aria out of the hall.
As we walked away, I could feel someone’s heavy stare on our backs.
When I turned, my eyes met Jason’s. He wasn’t even trying to hide it. His gaze was fixed on Aria, so intent that he didn’t realize I caught him.
I wasn’t jealous. I don’t love Aria, and I have never accepted her as my wife. But seeing one of my employees look at her like that made something inside me boil.
Even if she worked with Father to baby-trap me into this marriage, she was still my wife.
I pulled her closer and led her straight to our hotel suite.
“Edrick?” Aria’s voice was nervous as we entered.
The suite was large, with a vintage-styled living room and a luxurious bedroom. Exactly the kind of life she wanted badly enough to scheme her way into.
“Uhm?” I raised a brow.
“The bed,” she murmured, her eyes flicking toward the king-sized bed with its silk covers.
Of course, there was only one bed.
Everyone believed we were a happily married couple. Everyone except us.
“Go to bed, Aria. Save yourself the drama,” I said flatly.
She hesitated, then walked toward the bed. I was just about to settle on the couch when her voice stopped me.
“Save myself the drama?” She crossed her arms under her chest, lifting her chin.
“Look, Aria, you already made enough of a scene with that wine stunt. Don’t start another one.”
I sank into the sofa, ready to ignore her and call it a night.
But she didn’t move. She stood there, arms folded, her chest rising sharply with every breath. I forced my eyes away.
“What is it now, Aria?” I groaned.
“You know, treating your wife with a little decency wouldn’t kill you.”
For a second, she looked different. The usual fake sweetness was gone. She looked serious. Too serious to be her.
“And the wine thing at the table, it slipped my mind. I forgot.”
Her tone was quiet, almost sincere. But I didn’t buy it. She was too good at acting.
“You forgot you were pregnant?” My voice rose.
I sat forward, my eyes locked on hers.
Aria didn’t flinch. She didn’t rush to touch my arm or play innocent like she usually did when I got angry.
“How do you forget the pregnancy you wouldn’t stop rubbing in my face? The same one you used to get that ring on your finger?”
The words tore out of me before I could stop them. I hated yelling, but she pushed me to it.
Aria stared at me, silent. Then, for a split second, I saw something flicker in her eyes.
Hurt.
Sadness.
Fear.
“Aria.” I reached out to her, but she stepped back quickly, as if my touch disgusted her.
Without a word, she got ready for bed, turned off the lights, and pulled the covers over herself.
I sat there in the dark, watching her, my mind uneasy.
Why? She deserves it. I shouldn't feel bad for her.
By morning, Aria was still asleep when I left for breakfast with Mr Roger.
All I wanted was to close this deal quickly and get the hell out of here.
But her face from last night wouldn’t leave my mind.
Was she really hurt, or just pretending again? Maybe she was planning her next move to get into my bed. Typical Aria.
I was still lost in thought as I turned the knob to our room.
The door opened, and my steps froze midair. For a moment, I just stood there, eyes wide, breath caught in my throat.
“Jason?” I muttered.
What the hell was he doing in my hotel room with Aria?
- Writer
