Chapter 3 Meet at the Usual Place

Chapter 3 Meet at the Usual Place

"You..." Thalia was so mad that she was speechless for a few moments before responding. Aria's words made her furious, she felt like slapping her sister-in-law's face. But she had to hold back because they were currently in a mansion. If her mother saw the slap marks on Aria's face, she was sure her mother would judge her immediately. "You'll regret what you said today."

Aria only gave a lopsided smile when she saw the obvious anger on her sister-in-law's face. She folded her arms across her chest. "Don't worry, I won't regret it."

Without looking back, Aria returned to the house. As soon as she entered the guest room the Hawthorne family prepared for her and Alaric, her expression darkened visibly. She felt like her heart was being squeezed by an invisible hand, leaving her in a great deal of pain. It would be a lie if she wasn't affected by Thalia's words. But Aria couldn't show her anger and dislike for what Thalia had said. Because after all, what Thalia said was a bitter fact that she had to accept.

Aria hugged the doll on the bed and breathed in the familiar scent, a wave of calm rushing over her. It was the body scent of Alaric that had always been her favorite.

She took out her phone and made a call.

When the person on the other end spoke in a flirtatious tone. "Dear, I miss you."

Alaric parsed and finally replied. "Knock it off. I'm in a meeting. I'll see you at nine o'clock tonight in our usual place." Then he hung up without another word.

Aria stared at the phone in a daze. Although they'd been married for four years, they rarely said more than a few words to each other, and never anything meaningful.

Alaric always regarded her as a woman who was driven by money and nothing more. Although there was more to it than that, the fact that she married Alaric was based on the money he gave her.

*

Aria spent an entire day in the Hawthorne' mansion. After having dinner with Elowen, she drove back to the apartment she and Alaric shared downtown.

As soon as she got home, she put down her bag and handpicked the outfit for her date that evening. The usual place Alaric mentioned was nothing more than a five-star hotel they visited frequently.

Even if she knew Alaric didn't love her, she didn't want him to treat her like a drowned rat. Because tonight she was going to look perfect in front of him. Showing that she was worthy enough to be next to him.

*

At nine o'clock that evening, Aria arrived at the hotel and unlocked the door to the presidential swite. Before she knew what was happening, she was pushed against the wall by a powerful force. A broad chest pressed against her and held her in place. She certainly knew who was holding her body against the wall right now.

She smelled the familiar breath and couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Mr. Hawthorne, aren't you going to ask me if I made your mother angry at the villa first?"

Looking at her, Alaric just shrugged indifferently. "Mom did always have a thing for you and she just called me and asked me to treat you better."

"Really? Since she said so, why are you still bullying me like this, Mr. Hawthorne?" Aria asked with a smile. Elowen's gentleness was very warming. Her mother-in-law always prioritized her over Alaric, who was her own biological son.

Staring into her eyes, Alaric lowered his head and kissed her affectionately on the lips. Unlike usual, this time the kiss the man gave her was quite gentle and intoxicating.

After the kiss, she gently pushed him away, keeping a specific distance between them. Looking at him with wide eyes, she responded.

"You really are a master of love, Mr. Hawthorne. You keep saying you love Miss Fletcher, but you're still messing around with me. Do you enjoy the excitement of sitting on the proverbial love fence?"

"I'll cut ties with you after the divorce."

Upon hearing his remark, there was a sharp pain in her chest. However, the fake smile on her face never faltered, and she continued. As always, she would never show that sad expression to her soon-to-be ex-husband. "Mr. Hawthorne, are you reminding me our relationship is about to end?"

She raised her hand, drawing circles on his chest seductively, and continued. "In that case, I think you shouldn't touch me tonight. After all, we will have nothing to do with each other soon."

"As long as we aren't divorced, you're still Mrs. Hawthorne and you must fulfill my physical needs." Alaric said, leaning forward to get closer to Aria.

Lowering her head, Aria smiled bitterly, but when she looked up again, her face was wreathed with smiles, and her adoring eyes were particularly attractive. Does Alaric mean that her function here is more of a lustful one, not a wife?

Alaric couldn t help but get distracted for a moment when he met Aria's alluring gaze.

"You really do look like Selene," murmured Alaric who gently stroked Aria's lips.

Aria's body stiffened at the mention of Selene, but she relaxed a moment later, caswally drawing circles on his chest again. "Mr. Hawthorne, mentioning another woman to me doesn't please me, you know this. It makes me think I've lost all my charm in your eyes, and I don't like that."

After that, she pulled Alaric closer and kissed him on his lips.

Alaric soon regained his composure and took the lead. Their tongues tangled together and refused to separate.

Just when Alaric moved to kiss her deeper, Aria pushed him away like a wicked flirt and looked at him with a carefree expression. "Mr. Hawthorne, how about having a glass of wine with me to add to the fun?"

Alaric's eyes fixed on her body like a wolf staring at a sheep before replying in a deep voice. "Sure!"

Alaric walked away and returned with a bottle of wine from 1982 and a couple of wine glasses in his hands.

He poured Aria half a glass of wine and handed it to her before pouring a glass for himself.

"Cheers."

"Cheers."

Aria clinked glasses with him, then swirled the glass gently so the wine could better mix with the air to increase its aroma.

"Do you know why I've maintained a marriage as long as this with you?" Alaric asked, staring at her through the glass.

"Isn t it because I'm your token wife?" Aria asked rhetorically, a smile playing on her lips.

"There's another reason." Alaric paused, his eyes squinted, and his thin lips slightly opened. "Because..."