Chapter 282

Aria's POV Coming home with a necklace worth over three hundred thousand dollars had me smiling the entire ride back. My thoughts were consumed with how Aiden had completely shut down Elena's pathetic attempts at flirting. I'd completely forgotten how flustered I'd been earlier about whether I should even go out tonight. Once inside our house, I was removing my earrings when it suddenly hit me—that conversation about "going out" had really been about something else entirely. My heartbeat immediately kicked into overdrive. I placed my earrings in their case and caught a glimpse of my flushed face in the mirror. Great, I was blushing like a teenager. I slapped my cheeks lightly, trying to get myself together. Just as I turned around, I spotted Aiden walking into our bedroom. My heart hammered against my ribs while he approached with a glass of water. I took it from him with slightly trembling fingers, focusing intensely on the bedspread to avoid eye contact. After a few sips, I set the g