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Chapter 407
Chapter 407
This dessert shop only offered six featured flavors each day. Owen bought two of everything and stacked the bags onto the back seat.
Aria turned to him, brow arched. “Why’d you get so much?”
“They’re not very big. You guys will finish them. And if there’s any left, I’ll take care of it,” Owen replied smoothly until he realized the last part sounded almost too familiar, almost like he belonged there.
He cleared his throat and tacked on, “I mean, if there’s extra, you can just give them to me. Derek didn’t have breakfast this morning anyway, so I doubt anything will be left.”
Derek had crashed at Mayen Garden last night, and Owen figured the food would disappear fast.
Aria gave him a sideways look, nodded, and turned away quickly, worried she might not be able to hide the curve at the corners of her lips.
Owen let out a barely audible breath and started the car, making a U–turn back toward Mayen Garden.
Her phone vibrated insistently in her hand, a string of new messages from Diego: [Aria, I didn’t know you and Liam got divorced. If I’d known he was like that, I never would’ve called him a friend. I’ll stay away from him from now on.]
The messages came in rapid–fire, each one making her phone buzz louder. Aria finally switched it to silent.
Owen glanced her way.
She frowned and texted back: [That’s between you two, not me. You don’t have to report every detail. No need to say so much.]
On the other end, Diego’s heart sank.
He remembered the sharp things Aria used to say in the lab–blunt, always honest.
He reminded himself: that’s just who she is. Still, she seemed a bit on edge, so maybe it was best not to push his luck.
However, Aria seemed a little irritable, so he figured it s best not to push his luck.
Diego: [Alright, I won’t bring up Liam again next time. Le”s just catch up some other time.]
Liam, who’d caught sight of Diego’s phone, blurted, “Diego, are you texting Aria?”
“Yeah.” Diego shut his phone. “Why?”
Liam said, “She’s my ex–wife. We’re friends, but maybe you two shouldn’t get too close.”
Diego shrugged, totally unfazed. “She’s your ex–wife now, right? You’re done. That means I’ve got every right to get to know her. If you were still married, I’d keep my distance.”
Liam’s face darkened. “Diego, you can’t possibly…”
“I can, and I will,” Diego said bluntly. “She’s incredible. She’s single. I’m allowed to try.”
Liam almost laughed in disbelief. His own friend–after his ex–wife? But then he thought of Owen, always at Aria’s side. There was no way she’d pick Diego, right?
He said coolly, “You won’t succeed.”
Diego shot him a look. “Says who? If she could like you, she could like anyone.”
Liam opened his mouth and then shut it again, speechless.
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Chapter 407
On the way back, Owen stopped for even more groceries. With his arms full, he waited as Aria unlocked the door.
Derek was squatting in front of the coffee table, hammering away on his keyboard. When he saw them, he immediately abandoned his work, bounding over. “Whoa, you guys got a feast!”
Aria, toeing off her shoes, replied, “Owen bought it all.”
Derek’s grin stretched ear to ear. “Thanks, man!”
“No need,” Owen said, about to turn to leave, but Aria stim. “There’s so much food. Aren’t y
For a split second, surprise and delight flashed across his face. “Sure.”
She handed him a new pair of slippers. “Here–clean.”
The two of them disappeared into the bathroom, one after the other.
Derek unloaded the food, calling Lily out of her room.
Lily quietly took a seat, though she kept sneaking glances at her phone, looking torn.
Ever since yesterday, Rachel had sent an apology, but then gone silent.”
Lily worried about her, but remembering what Orlando had said to Aria, her anger bubbled up.
éating with us?”
Wearing disposable gloves, Aria picked out a little bit of each dessert, then said, “Lily, take these upstairs to Rachel.”
Lily paused, startled.
“Orlando’s out. She’s up there alone.”
Lily nodded quickly. “Thank you.”
“We’re family. No need to thank me.” Aria smiled, then glanced at Owen. “He bought it.”
Lily turned her thanks to him. “Thank you, Owen.”
He smiled, gentle as ever. “Don’t mention it.”
Lily was about to leave when Aria reminded her, “Bring your phone.”
“Okay!”
She hurried upstairs, rång Rachel’s bell, and waited.
When Rachel finally opened the door, Lily handed her the bag. “Aria asked me to bring you
these.”
Rachel’s eyes were puffy. She pressed her lips together, not taking the bag right away.
She hesitated. “Didn’t you say…you wouldn’t be friends with me anymore?”
Lily managed a helpless smile. “That was just for Orlando to hear. SAT’s coming up anyway–we’ll just keep some distance at school, but we can text. Once SAT’s over, I’ll help you study again, okay?”
Rachel’s guarded expression melted. She took the bag, lips trembling into a tiny smile. “Okay.”
When the door shut, Rachel could barely contain her happiness.
But then her phone buzzed in her pocket, and her heart plummeted.
Chapter 407
With shaking hands, she answered, “Miss Remar.”
Olivia’s voice was icy with scorn. “Looks like you’re enjoying yourself.”
Rachel clutched the phone, voice meek. “Everything I have is because of you.”
“Good. And how’s it going with Lily?”
“We’re friends now.”
“Excellent. The test is getting closer. You know what to do.”
Rachel bit her lip hard. “I understand.”
The call ended.
Rachel slid to the floor, hugging herself, tears streaming silently. She didn’t want to hurt Lily.
But Olivia would never let her go.
That day, Aria received an invitation from Martin.
Martin: [The Todd School inheritance ceremony… drop by if you want. If you’re busy, no worries, it’s not a big deal.]
Aria replied: [Thank you, Martin. I was just about to try to get one, and you sent it over.]
At the Todd School’s garden, a middle–aged man in a long robe asked, “Has the invitation been delivered?”
Nikolas nodded. “Yes, Dad. It’s done.”
“We have to find out who made the fake seal. Only then can we track down the real National Doctor’s Seal. And those medical books–under no circumstances can they fall into the wrong hands.”
AD
