Chapter 131
Aria's POV
The question caught me off guard. Break up? We'd never officially been together—at least not in any conventional sense. I hesitated, searching for the right words while memories of our last encounter flooded my mind.
"Has something happened between you two?" Caroline asked gently, leaning in slightly as if sharing a confidence.
I straightened my shoulders, determined not to show any vulnerability. "Our relationship has ended," I replied with practiced indifference. "It was never meant to be anything serious anyway." The words felt hollow even as I spoke them.
Caroline's eyes softened with understanding. "Devon can be... challenging. I've known him for years." She took a thoughtful sip of champagne. "For what it's worth, I've never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you. Be careful though—he doesn't handle emotions well. I'd hate to see someone as talented as you get hurt."
I nodded, touched by her unexpected kindness while my heart pounded against my ribcage. Devon Kane, with all his wealth and power, was never going to be mine. I'd extinguished any unrealistic notions about that a while ago, though the ache in my chest suggested otherwise.
"Noah is looking for you," I said, eager to change the subject. "You should find him."
Caroline glanced over her shoulder with a genuine smile. "You're right. I should go find my fiancé. We'll talk more later, okay?" She touched my arm lightly before walking away, her gesture friendly and supportive.
I exhaled slowly, watching her disappear into the crowd. The weight of unspoken emotions pressed down on me. Something made me turn around, and my heart nearly stopped.
Devon was leaning against a marble column directly behind me, his gray eyes filled with an intensity I couldn't read. How long had he been standing there? Had he overheard my conversation with Caroline? My pulse quickened as I took in his tense jaw and rigid posture.
His presence made the air between us feel electric. I felt a flutter of panic and turned to walk in the opposite direction, needing space to collect myself.
"Did I say you could leave?" His cold voice stopped me in my tracks, but underneath the coldness, I detected something else—hurt, perhaps?
I froze, unable to move as he approached. His tailored suit accentuated his broad shoulders, and his face was set in hard lines of displeasure, his eyes revealing a storm of emotions.
"A few days without contact and your courage grows?" Devon's voice was dangerously soft as he closed the distance between us. His eyes searched mine, looking for something. "When exactly did you and I break up, Aria? I don't recall that conversation."
He tilted my chin up with his finger, forcing me to meet his gaze. His touch sent warmth spreading through my body despite my determination to remain unaffected. "Enlighten me."
I swallowed, willing my voice to remain steady. "As an adult, when someone stops responding to messages, one should take the hint and walk away." I kept my tone even, though my eyes betrayed the hurt his silence had caused.
"And immediately become Pierce's arm candy?" His eyes darkened, a flash of genuine jealousy crossing his features. "Is that what an adult does?"
"Jeremy is a friend," I replied, trying to keep my voice from trembling. His proximity was making it difficult to think clearly.
Devon leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. I could feel the tension in his body, sense the restraint in his movements. "A few days without satisfaction and you're already misbehaving," he whispered, his tone laden with suggestion. His words were harsh, but his eyes revealed uncertainty—as if he feared losing whatever tenuous connection we shared.
Before I could respond, his hand moved to my lower back, firm and possessive. "We're leaving." It wasn't a request but a declaration.
"What? I can't—" I protested as he guided me toward the exit with unwavering determination. My heart raced at his touch, confusing me with its betrayal.
"Devon, please," I whispered urgently. "I came with Jeremy. At least let me stay until the party ends." I looked into his eyes, searching for understanding.
His grip tightened slightly, his expression shifting to reveal raw emotion before he masked it again. "You seem very concerned about him." The words were measured but the slight tremor in his voice gave away more than he intended.
The dangerous edge in his voice made me reconsider my approach. The last thing I wanted was Devon causing a scene with Jeremy. "Wherever Mr. Kane wants to go, I'll go," I conceded, hating how easily I yielded to him and yet unable to deny the relief I felt at his attention after days of silence.
A satisfied smile touched his lips, his eyes softening momentarily. "That's better," he murmured, his hand remaining at the small of my back as he led me toward the exit. His touch was gentler now, almost tender.
As we approached the garden gates, the blonde in a white dress intercepted us. "Devon," she purred, placing a hand on his arm. "I've been looking for you. I wanted to discuss a business proposition. Perhaps tonight?"
Her eyes flickered to me briefly before dismissing my presence entirely. I felt Devon's body stiffen beside me, his jaw clenching with irritation.
Devon's expression remained impassive, but I noticed the slight hardening of his eyes. "I'm busy," he replied curtly.
"But surely you could spare an hour—" she persisted.
"I said I'm busy." His tone left no room for argument as his arm slid around my waist, pulling me closer to his side. "I already have plans for tonight."
The possessive gesture was unmistakable—a public declaration that I was his. The blonde's eyes widened slightly before narrowing at me with unmistakable jealousy.
As Devon guided me past her, I felt her venomous gaze burning into my back. Great. Another enemy to add to my growing list. Yet beneath my concern, I felt a confusing warmth spreading through me at Devon's clear statement of possession.