Chapter 71 Who Do You Say You Love?
Summer was still chattering away on the other end of the phone. "Hey Aria, is your morning sickness still bad? Did they tell you to take calcium supplements at your checkup? I know this really good calcium supplement..."
Aria laughed, "Thanks for thinking of me. The baby and I both thank you!"
"I'll be so relieved as long as you and the baby are safe and sound. Hey, speaking of which, you'll start showing soon. Have you figured out what to do?" Summer suddenly asked, "Are you going to give Arthur a heads up, or..."
Aria pressed her lips together. "I don't want him to know yet. If he doesn't know, he won't have expectations. No expectations means no disappointment. In this world, it's enough that I'm the only one who loves him."
Before she finished speaking, the door burst open with a bang. Arthur rushed in.
"Who did you say you love?" His expression was serious, his eyes full of disbelief.
Aria jumped, instinctively hanging up the phone, a trace of guilt appearing on her face.
How did he get here? How much of what she just said did he hear?
Her office wasn't soundproof, and she'd just had her phone on speaker, sitting right on the desk... Did he hear? How much did he hear?
Aria wasn't sure. She didn't dare look at him, awkwardly changing the subject. "How did you get here? You didn't even knock."
Arthur stood in the doorway, his face looking rather unpleasant.
He didn't answer her question, but instead walked up to her in a few steps, looking down at her from above:
"Who were you just on the phone with?"
"Summer, you know her." She tried to make her tone sound natural.
"Summer?" Arthur raised an eyebrow with a mocking smile, "What were you talking to her about? That you have to hide from me."
Aria's heart sank slightly.
It seemed he hadn't heard those key sentences. He probably only heard the last thing she said and thought she had another lover, which was why he rushed in so impatiently to question her.
Aria felt she should be relieved, but somehow, her heart felt heavy and uncomfortable instead.
"It's none of your business," she said defiantly. "What are you here for? If there's nothing, please leave. I still have work to do."
"Aria." Arthur grabbed her wrist, "Look at me."
His eyes were dark and heavy. "Stop changing the subject. Who else is in your heart? Tell me!"
Aria looked up, and somehow, she suddenly thought of last night. Her heartbeat suddenly quickened, and her gaze became evasive.
She realized she couldn't say confidently, "Whoever I like has nothing to do with you!"
No, she should say it.
Aria forced herself to look into Arthur's eyes and said word by word. "Whoever I like has nothing to do with you!"
Arthur let go of her hand and actually smiled—that deep, frightening kind of smile.
Before Aria could react, he snatched her phone from the desk.
"What are you doing!" Aria tried to grab it back, but Arthur had already opened the call history.
The most recent call showed "Summer," with a duration of five minutes.
Arthur's expression eased slightly. He nimbly dodged, then opened the messaging app, text messages, checking them one by one, even going through her photo album thoroughly.
Aria knew she couldn't get it back from him, so she just let him.
After Arthur finished looking, he returned the phone to her. At the same time, he placed both hands on either side of her chair, leaning down slightly with a half-smile. "Really nothing there. Maybe I heard wrong just now."
"I'm just curious why you were so nervous just now. Did you say that on purpose for me to hear? Trying to make me jealous?"
Aria almost laughed in anger.
"Arthur, aren't you being too full of yourself? Why would I want to make you jealous?"
"Aren't you?" Arthur said quietly, "Then why were you so flustered just now? Why didn't you dare look at me? Why—"
"Are even your ears turning red?"
His breath sprayed on her ear, carrying that familiar cedar scent.
Aria's heart was beating violently. She felt like she was about to suffocate.
"I just don't like you barging in suddenly!" she said, trying to hold herself together. "Besides, this is my studio. Please respect my privacy."
"Alright." Arthur smiled again, "Then should I go back out and knock properly?"
"No need." Aria turned her gaze to the computer, "If you have something to say, say it."
Arthur looked at her, his eyes flickering. After a long while, he finally spoke. "Are you free this weekend?"
"No." Aria refused without even thinking.
"I haven't even said what it is yet."
"Whatever it is, I'm not free." Aria said, "I have plans this weekend."
"With who?" Arthur's brow furrowed again.
"None of your business." This time Aria said it more naturally.
"Is it Charles?" Arthur's expression changed, and his tone changed too, "Or some man I don't know about?"
Aria snorted lightly, "Arthur, you're being way too nosy. I don't know if you remember, but we're about to get divorced. Who I meet with, who I date—it has nothing to do with you!"
Arthur took a deep breath, then pulled out an invitation from his jacket's inner pocket.
"A friend of mine just opened a hot spring spa and wants us to show our support." He placed the invitation on the desk, "I'm only giving this invitation to you. Whether you come or not, I'll wait for you."
After saying this, he turned and walked toward the door.
When he reached the doorway, he stopped and looked back at her. "Don't do something you'll regret."
After the door closed, Aria leaned back against her chair, feeling completely drained.
Regret? What did she have to regret?
Regret not continuing to wait for him? Regret not continuing to love him? Regret not continuing to be that humble Aria?
No, she didn't regret it.
For three years, she had given everything, but all she got in return was hurt and disappointment.
Now, she was tired and wanted to let go.
But... why did her heart still hurt?
Why did her heart still beat so fast when he looked at her intently?
Aria closed her eyes, her hand gently touching her belly.
After Arthur left, he didn't go straight back.
He parked his car by the roadside, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and stared blankly into space through the swirling smoke.
His phone rang. It was Sophie calling.
He stared at the screen for a long time before finally answering.
"Arthur, where are you?" Sophie's voice sounded somewhat aggrieved, "I'm still not feeling well today. Can you come back and keep me company?"
Arthur was silent for a moment, then said, "I'm at the company. There's an important meeting. I'll come back later."
"But..."
"Sophie, be good. I'll have a doctor come see you." Arthur hung up hastily before she could finish.