Chapter 19
Aria's POV
I forced a smile as I said goodbye to Ryan, still uncomfortable with his insinuation about Devon and me. The private lounge of The Pinnacle Hotel felt suddenly claustrophobic after hours of that disastrous poker game and Ryan's pointed comments.
"I really need to get going," I said, gathering my purse. "It's been a long day."
Ryan grinned. "Sure, sure. Though I still think there's something you're not telling me about you and Kane."
I rolled my eyes, maintaining my composure. "As I said, we just signed a contract. That's all there is to it."
As I made my way toward the elevator, the weight of everything—the contract, what I'd done to secure it, Devon's cold dismissal during the poker game—pressed down on my shoulders. The money had been transferred, the paperwork signed. Devon Kane had kept his word. But the reality of what I'd agreed to was finally sinking in.
I stepped into the elevator, grateful for the momentary solitude. When I reached the lobby, I saw several familiar faces from New York's social elite gathering for some evening event.
"Aria! You're not leaving already?" A familiar voice called out. I turned to see Jessica Chen, a fashion editor I'd known since college, hurrying toward me in impossibly high stilettos.
"Headache," I lied smoothly, tapping my temple. "And I have an early meeting tomorrow."
Jessica pouted. "But Mason Delaney just arrived, and he's looking for fresh talent for his new project. I could introduce you."
"Another time," I said, giving her arm a gentle squeeze. "I really need to go."
I stepped to the curb and raised my hand for a taxi, ignoring the valet who clearly expected me to request my car. The truth was, I couldn't bear another minute of pretending everything was normal—not after the past twenty-four hours.
A yellow cab pulled up, and I slid into the back seat, giving the driver an address that surprised even me: "Mount Sinai Hospital, please."
---
The hospital corridors were quiet at this hour. Visiting hours had technically ended, but the nurse at the station recognized me from earlier visits and gave me a sympathetic nod as I walked past with my carefully selected fruit basket and bouquet of lilies.
When I reached Carmen Kim's private room, the door was partially open. I paused in the doorway, watching as Sophia carefully peeled an apple at her mother's bedside, her normally perfect manicure chipped at the edges. The sharp antiseptic smell mixed with the fragrance of flowers from other well-wishers, creating that unmistakable hospital atmosphere that always made my stomach clench.
Carmen spotted me first. "Aria!" Her voice was stronger than it had been before the surgery. "What a lovely surprise."
Sophia turned, her tired face brightening. "Hey, you didn't tell me you were coming back tonight."
I stepped into the room, setting my offerings on the side table. "I was in the neighborhood." I leaned down to hug Carmen gently. "How are you feeling?"
"Like a new woman," Carmen said, patting my hand. "The doctors say the procedure was a complete success. I'll be dancing at your wedding before you know it."
I laughed, though the mention of a wedding made me think of Ethan's public proposal attempt—and how Devon had deliberately interrupted it. "Let's focus on getting you home first."
I glanced around the room, noting the state-of-the-art monitoring equipment and the private nurse checking charts in the corner. The premium suite had to cost a fortune, even beyond the surgery itself. The guilt that had been gnawing at me eased slightly. Whatever I'd done with Devon, at least it had made this possible.
"The doctors say I might be able to go home in a few days," Carmen said, her eyes bright with happiness. "It's like a miracle, Aria. One day I was being told to get my affairs in order, and the next..." She shook her head in wonder.
"You should have seen Mom giving the nurses orders about how to properly fold her hospital gown," Sophia said with a laugh. "I think they're eager to discharge her just to get some peace."
"I simply explained that there's a correct way to fold fabric," Carmen protested, but her eyes twinkled. "You should know that, Sophia. I taught you better."
We chatted for a while longer, until Carmen began to look tired. Sophia noticed it too and suggested we step out to give her mother some rest.
"I'll be right back, Mom," Sophia promised, bending to kiss her mother's forehead.
"Take your time," Carmen replied. "I have my telenovelas to keep me company." She turned to me with a warm smile. "Thank you for coming, Aria. And for everything else."
I squeezed her hand, unable to find the words to respond.
---
The hospital's rooftop garden was empty at this hour. The space was designed for patients and visitors to find a moment of peace amid medical chaos—wooden benches surrounded by potted plants and twinkling string lights that gave the illusion of stars in the Manhattan sky.
Sophia reached into her purse and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. I immediately put my hand on hers before she could extract one.
"You can't smoke here—it's a hospital," I said. "And it's not good for your mom."
Sophia sighed and tucked the pack away. "Force of habit when I'm stressed." She leaned against the railing, looking out at the city lights. "So, financial affairs says the payment for Mom's procedure came through." Her voice was carefully casual, but I could hear the unspoken question.
"That's good," I replied, trying to match her tone.
"That's a lot of money, Aria." She turned to face me directly. "How did you get it?"
I'd prepared for this question on the taxi ride over. "I convinced Devon Kane to sign that contract we've been working on. The first payment came through yesterday."
Sophia's eyebrows drew together. "The contract's worth a lot, sure, but nowhere near enough for you to give me that kind of money right away." She crossed her arms. "Even if you had signed the contract, where did the money you gave me come from?"
I looked away, focusing on a helicopter passing in the distance. "I asked my father for an advance on my trust fund." The lie tasted bitter, but it was better than the truth.
"Your father?" Sophia's voice rose in disbelief. "The same father who's been controlling your inheritance and refusing to give you a cent?"
"I can be persuasive when I need to be," I said with a forced smile.
Sophia stepped closer, her eyes searching my face. "Listen, Aria, I know you've felt guilty about me investing in the company with you, but that was my choice. You were the top of our class—I believe in you. And even if the company went under completely, that wouldn't change how talented you are." She placed a hand on my arm. "You're the most brilliant woman I know, and I don't want you doing anything stupid for my sake."
Her words hit too close to home, and I felt my eyes growing wet. I pulled her into a tight hug, partly to hide my face. "Oh, Soph."
"Don't worry about me," I said, pulling back and blinking rapidly to clear my vision. "I'm fine, really. Dad came through with some of Mom's money. You know it's legally mine anyway."
Sophia frowned. "But he's always refused to—"
"How could he?" I interrupted with a forced laugh. "It's my money."
Before she could press further, the elevator doors opened, and Scarlett emerged, pushing Ethan in a wheelchair. She wore a pristine white sundress that made her look like an angel, though I knew better. Her voice was deliberately loud, carrying across the rooftop garden.
"Darling, are you sure you want to walk around up here? Doesn't your leg hurt?" she asked, her hand possessively resting on Ethan's shoulder. Then she spotted us and feigned surprise. "Oh! Big sister's here too!"