Chapter 153

Aria's POV The online storm had finally settled, but Lillian’s words had cast a spell on my mind. Every time I saw Aiden these past few days, her question would echo in my head on a loop: *“Don’t you think Aiden might actually be flirting with you?”* It had gotten to the point where I was seeing him through a bizarre filter, like some kind of creep analyzing his micro-expressions. And of course, karma came for me. It was a clear weekend morning, and the ever-disciplined Mr. Carter had just finished his morning swim. As I came downstairs, he was drying his hair, the collar of his robe falling open just enough to reveal a hint of those abs you couldn’t look away from. By the time I realized I’d been staring too long, it was too late. When I heard that “Like what you see?”, my sleep-deprived brain short-circuited, and Lillian’s haunting question tumbled out of my mouth: “Mr. Carter, are you trying to seduce me?” Aiden looked at me, the corner of his lips quirking up, fine lights shimmerin