Chapter 304
Ruby shook her hand and smiled. “You can call me Ruby, just like Aria does.”
Julia giggled twice, then piped up loudly, “Hello, Ruby!”
The three of them couldn’t help but chuckle.
Julia dug around in her pocket with her tiny hand, pulled out a small, pretty box, and held it out to Aria
Julia said, “Aria, here’s your present! Happy birthday!”
After saying that, she gestured for Aria to crouch down, then leaned in and gave her a big, loud kiss on the cheek.
Aria lifted the lid of the box to reveal a delicate necklace inside.
Cloe explained, “She designed it herself and had it made using her own little stash of gold savings.”
Aria’s heart softened. “It’s so beautiful. Thank you, Julia,” she said softly.
Julia tilted her head up, eyes sparkling with anticipation. “Let me put it on you, Aria.”
“Okay,” Aria replied tenderly.
Kim, sensing the warmth of the moment, wisely kept his distance. Still, he couldn’t resist snapping a photo with his phone and texting it to Owen: [Go after Aria already!]
Owen: [Whatever’s going on between me and Aria, it won’t change the fact that you’ll never be Julia’s dad.]
Kim gritted his teeth, letting out a cold snort as he typed: [You useless jerk.]
Owen: [Oh, you’re so useful, huh? Just wait till Julia starts calling someone else “Daddy“!]
Kim let out a frustrated laugh and turned off his phone.
He lowered his gaze, only to find himself meeting Cloe’s gentle eyes.
Her smile vanished the moment she met his eyes.
‘Am I some kind of monster to her? Back when we were intimate, she never looked at me like that,‘ Kim thought bitterly.
The four of them entered the suite.
Kim had other matters to attend to and left.
After dinner, Aria went to the kitchen to get the food and hurried back.
She rang the doorbell, but no one answered for quite a while.
Puzzled, Aria pulled out her phone and dialed. After a dozen seconds, a weak voice answered, “Hello?”
His voice sounded faint and hollow.
Aria said, “Hey, it’s me. I’m at your door.”
Aria heard the sound of someone getting out of bed inside. Owen’s weak voice called out, “Just a sec,
I’ll be right there.”
The door swung open just as the call ended.
1/2
Chapter 304
Aria was met with the sight of his visibly ill face.
Owen looked groggy, his cheeks flushed with an unnatural redness.
“Are you sick?” Aria asked.
Instinctively, Aria reached out and felt Owen’s forehead. Frownin
Owen shook his head weakly and took the food containers from he
He turned and walked inside, his steps slightly unsteady.
at the heat, she said, “Owen, you’re running a fever. You need to see a doctor
“I already took meds,” he said hoarsely. “I’m fine… no need for a doctor.
Aria walked in and shut the door behind her. “Do you have a first–aid kit o
Owen nodded weakly, lifting his drooping eyelids to glance toward the
of
r any medicine here?”
couch.
Aria didn’t rush to get it. Instead, she opened the food containers eat, check your temperature.”
one
by
“It’s over there.”
one aid. “This dish is a bit greasy. Skip it. Have the others, and after you
“Okay,” Owen murmured, his voice softer than usual and tinged with weakness.
Owen had little appetite. After just a few bites, he set his fork down.
Aria said, “Let me take care of that.”
Aria cleared the food containers, washed her hands in the kitchen, then walked to the sofa and picked up the first–aid kit on the floor.
Owen’s gaze never left her the entire time.
Aria handed Owen the thermometer and said, “Here, check your temperature.”
Her tone carried a no–nonsense edge–the kind she only reserved for those she was close with.
Owen fought back a smile and complied.
Aria checked the thermometer and frowned. “101.3°F,” she said, concern in her voice.
Owen said softly, “It’s okay–the fever’s gone down a bit. I’ll be fine, really. You go take care of your stuff. I just need some rest.”
Aria nodded. “Alright, go get some rest. I’ll be back to check on you in two hours.”
AD
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