Chapter 30 Staying Overnight
Aria's heart gave a little jump, and she felt a tremor run through her.
Since they'd known each other, this was the first time Arthur had spoken to her in this tone.
Not worried at all? Not caring at all?
How dare he even ask!
Aria was so angry she almost laughed.
"Why should I worry about you? Why should I care about you? Do you really value my concern that much? Stop joking around, Arthur!"
Seeing that he was still gripping her clothes, Aria yanked hard. This time Arthur let go.
He stared at her blankly, his pupils seeming to tremble.
That look on his face - as if she'd done something terrible to him, as if she'd deeply hurt him.
How ridiculous!
Aria took a step back and smoothed out the wrinkles he'd made in her collar. "Your mom is still lying in there. Instead of wasting time here talking nonsense with me, you should go in and spend more time with her. As for us, there's really nothing left to say."
With that, she stopped looking at him and turned toward the doctor's office.
Arthur stood there, the tightness in his chest almost exploding.
He suddenly punched the wall beside him with a thud.
He irritably ran his hand through his hair, then went back to the hospital room.
Elizabeth was resting with her eyes closed. Hearing the noise, she opened them.
"Where's Aria?" she asked.
"She went to find the doctor." Arthur sat down by the bed, his voice flat.
Elizabeth looked him over. "Did you two have a fight?"
Arthur froze, instinctively denying it. "No."
"Still trying to hide it from me?" Elizabeth shook her head and sighed. "You can fool others, but you can't fool your mother."
"And Aria - before you came, she was keeping me company just fine. The moment you walked in, she ran out. If that's not a fight, what is?"
Arthur pressed his lips together and said nothing.
"Arthur," Elizabeth sighed, "Aria is a good wife. Even though I'm not here often, every time I come back for gatherings, all the ladies in our circle praise her."
"I know you've always had feelings for Sophie, but your relationship with her is in the past. People need to look forward. You need to cherish what you still have. Don't wait until you've lost it to regret it."
Arthur smiled bitterly to himself.
His mother knew nothing - didn't know that Aria didn't care about him anymore, that she was planning their divorce.
But he couldn't say that, so he could only give a vague response.
"I know, Mom. Don't worry about this stuff. Just focus on getting better."
"How can I not worry?" Elizabeth looked at him. "You're my only son. I just want you to be happy."
Just then, Aria pushed the door open, holding a sheet of instructions from the doctor.
"Mom, I asked the doctor. This is the recovery plan he prescribed for you, along with nutritional injections. You need to take your medicine on time and avoid emotional stress."
"Mm, thank you for your trouble." Elizabeth looked between her and Arthur, then suddenly said, "I'm craving an apple. Aria mentioned earlier she'd peel one for me."
Aria was about to get an apple when she heard Arthur say, "I'll do it."
Arthur had already stood up, taking an apple from the fruit basket and finding a knife.
His movements were a bit stiff - naturally, since he rarely, or rather, had never done this kind of thing before.
The apple peel came off in broken pieces, thick in some spots and thin in others, taking off quite a bit of the flesh.
Yet his expression was extremely focused, as if he wasn't peeling an apple but creating a work of art.
Aria watched for a moment before awkwardly looking away.
But in her peripheral vision, Arthur's profile as he bent his head was outlined by the light streaming through the window.
It was as if even the sunlight favored that handsome face of his.
That blocked feeling in her heart stirred again inexplicably.
Soon, a bumpy, much-reduced apple was peeled.
Arthur cut it into pieces, arranged them on a small plate, then picked up a toothpick and speared a small piece.
He didn't hand it to his mother. Instead, he turned his arm and brought it to Aria's lips.
Aria's breath caught.
"Try it." He spoke in a normal tone, as if this were the most ordinary thing in the world.
Aria's fingers quietly clenched into fists.
This was an act, right? A performance for his mother lying in the hospital bed.
But when that piece of apple, glistening with moisture and carrying the warmth of his fingertips, pressed against her lips, an indescribable emotion still rose uncontrollably in her heart.
She lowered her eyes, her long lashes trembling, then quickly opened her mouth and took the apple piece in.
Sweet and tart juice spread through her mouth.
But when she swallowed, her throat felt inexplicably tight.
"Is it good?" Arthur watched her intently.
Three months ago, a look like that would have been enough to move Aria to tears.
Now though, Aria turned her face away, avoiding his gaze, and gave barely a nod in response.
Arthur said nothing more, spearing another piece and this time offering it to his mother.
Elizabeth smiled and slowly ate it.
"That's right, Arthur. From now on, you should care for your wife like this more often. Aria, if he makes you angry in the future, just tell me and I'll scold him for you!"
Aria forced a smile and managed to say "okay."
The group stayed in this strange atmosphere for quite a while.
Seeing Elizabeth's face begin to show signs of fatigue, Aria stood up. "Mom, it's getting late. You should rest well. I'll come see you again tomorrow."
Arthur also stood up. "I'll take you home."
"No need, I drove here."
"Let Arthur take you. I'll have someone drive your car back for you." Elizabeth called over her personal driver as she spoke.
Aria could only nod.
The two walked out of the hospital room one after the other, neither speaking until they went downstairs.
"Quite the committed performance." As Aria got into the passenger seat, she suddenly said quietly. She spoke just as Arthur was instinctively helping her fasten her seatbelt.
Arthur's movements paused.
"You weren't bad either. That loving look you gave me was worthy of an Oscar for Best Actress."
Aria rolled her eyes at him and said nothing more.
Yes, acting. It was all just acting.
Arthur continued, "I'll take you back to the villa first. After my mom's people leave, you can drive back to your apartment."
"But," he cleared his throat, "how about you stay at my place for the night and leave in the morning? Don't get me wrong - I just think it's so late, all this back and forth isn't safe for you."