Chapter 172 Crisis of Trust
Aria fell silent for a few seconds, her fingertips gently rubbing against the door panel.
She knew Arthur's feelings, knew how careful he was being right now, but that barrier in her heart - she just couldn't get past it.
She slowly pulled open the door. The sound of the sliding panel was especially clear in the quiet flower shop.
The moment the door opened, their eyes met in the air.
Arthur's gaze fell on her pale face, with faint dark circles under her eyes - clearly she hadn't slept all night.
His eyes lingered for a moment, then quickly shifted away, landing on the medical kit by the door.
He didn't move, just gestured for her to take it, his fingertips slightly curled, as if wanting to say something but swallowing it back.
Aria bent down to pick up the medical kit. The cold touch of the box traveled through her fingertips, instantly clearing her mind.
She straightened up and looked at Arthur. Her eyes were so calm they showed no ripple, yet like a thick layer of ice, completely separating the two of them.
"Thanks."
She spoke, her voice flat. "Mr. Grant, you shouldn't have bothered. I can prepare these things myself."
"It's what I should do."
Arthur looked at her, his gaze heavy. "Jasper is my son. Protecting him is my responsibility."
The word "son" was like a needle, lightly pricking Aria's nerves.
She remembered how Jasper, sleeping soundly last night, had still mumbled "Mommy, don't be scared," remembered the red rash on his neck that hadn't faded, remembered how she'd held him all night, swearing over and over to protect him.
She lowered her lashes, hiding the surging emotions in her eyes, and moved the medical kit further inside. But her fingertips pressed harder and harder.
"Mr. Grant."
She suddenly spoke, her voice soft but every word clear. "Jasper is my son. You didn't know about him back then. The decision to have him was mine alone, nothing to do with you. So I don't need you using this method to make up for anything."
Arthur's Adam's apple bobbed again, his fingertips clenched tight.
Yes!
Every time he thought about what happened five years ago, he felt so stupid. There had been so many changes in Aria back then, but he hadn't noticed any of them.
Hadn't noticed she was pregnant. When she left, she was already over four months along.
What had he been doing those four months?
Fighting with her, making her feel wronged because of another woman.
He wanted to explain, but he realized his actions couldn't be covered up with a few explanations. The hurt he'd caused her had really happened - there was no denying that.
"Aria."
His voice was low and hoarse. "What I owe you and Jasper, I'll spend my whole life making up for. This isn't about whether you need it or not - it's what I should do. Right now, can you just trust me once? Trust that I won't let anyone hurt you two."
Aria's movements stopped. With her back to him, her spine was straight.
Sunlight filtered through her hair, casting scattered spots of light on the ground. She said softly, "Mr. Grant, you actually already know who's behind all this, don't you?"
Those words were like a stone thrown into Arthur's heart, stirring up ripples.
He knew her suspicions had taken root.
He watched her back, watched her place the medical kit by the flower stand and turn to arrange flower stems, never looking back at him again. The sourness in his chest surged violently. He took a deep breath.
"I know you suspect Sophie."
Arthur suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a barely noticeable plea. "I'm suspicious too. I'll get to the bottom of it and give you an answer. Before that, your and Jasper's safety is most important. I've got people watching outside. They won't disturb you - they'll just keep you safe."
Aria's fingertips paused, scissors stopping on the stem of a lisianthus.
She didn't turn around, just said calmly, "Mr. Grant, Sophie is someone close to you. It's much easier for you to investigate her than for Lance. As for those protection people, Mr. Grant doesn't need to waste the manpower. Lance has already made arrangements. Right now, I just hope that when Mr. Grant finds out the truth, you'll handle it fairly and justly."
She finished speaking and gently closed the door.
"Click" - the door panel closed, separating two worlds.
Inside, Aria slowly raised her hand to cover her chest. Her heart was beating fast, not from being moved, but from that unstoppable chill.
She walked to the flower stand and picked up the medical kit. Opening it, she saw the medicines neatly arranged, the protective gear properly placed.
Her fingertips traced over the children's allergy medicine. The production date on the box was recent - clearly Arthur had specially prepared it.
But this thoughtfulness made her feel uneasy.
If Arthur had really found something out, why not tell her directly? If he was still hesitating, then how much of his protection for her and Jasper was genuine?
He said he was suspicious of Sophie - was it just suspicion? Was he suspicious because he'd found something, or was he saying this to calm her down?
Aria never thought she'd reach this level of distrust with Arthur. It seemed time really could change everything.
Outside the door, Arthur stood in place, looking at the closed door, his fingertips clenched into fists.
His nails dug into his palm, bringing a sharp pain, but it was nothing compared to the pain in his chest.
He knew the trust he'd barely built with Aria had cracked, and repairing that crack would probably be much harder than finding proof of Sophie's crimes.
He turned and left, his footsteps as heavy as if filled with lead.
The sunlight was still bright, falling on his suit, but it couldn't drive away the chill in his heart.
Behind the glass door of the flower shop, Aria's figure appeared and disappeared, like an uncrossable chasm lying before him.
At that moment, Sophie was at the Grant family villa, sitting at her vanity, carefully styling her hair in the mirror.
She looked at her gentle, smiling face in the mirror, but a barely noticeable coldness flashed in her eyes.
She'd already received Nina's message and knew Arthur had started investigating the virtual number.
Her fingertips traced across her reflection in the mirror, and the smile at the corners of her mouth deepened.
Arthur, you think you've found something? What you've found is just the trail I deliberately left for you.
She put down the comb and picked up her phone, sending Nina a message: [Proceed as planned. Don't leave any traces.]
After sending it, she set the phone aside, her fingertips lightly tapping the smooth vanity surface. The rhythm was slow but carried a certainty of having everything under control.
What she wanted had never been just the position of Mrs. Grant.
What she wanted was the center of power in the Grant family, the Grant family's shares. Wasn't that why she'd falsely claimed to be his savior all those years ago?
But now Aria was back, and she'd brought Arthur's child. She and Arthur hadn't had children in these five years, so...
That mother and son could only disappear.
Only then would the Grant family fortune fall securely into her hands.
Sophie slowly stood up and walked to the large floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the carefully trimmed flowers and trees in the courtyard. The coldness in her eyes was finally no longer hidden, spreading completely.