Chapter 299

Aria’s POV I woke to brilliant sunlight streaming through the windows. Squinting against the brightness, I raised a hand to shield my eyes and reached for my phone on the bedside table. When I saw the time, any lingering sleepiness vanished instantly. Eight-thirty already! Memories of our passionate night together flooded back, sending a delicious, private heat rushing to my cheeks. The intensity of our connection, the raw emotion in his eyes as he’d looked at me—it all made my heart race even now, a thrilling, secret rhythm. After a quick, solitary breakfast, I told Nanny I’d be back for lunch, then headed straight for the hospital. Dad was scheduled for a complete physical today, a crucial step before his stent placement surgery, which would hopefully be set for next Tuesday if all his tests checked out okay. When I arrived at his hospital room, a nurse informed me he was already at the examination center. After getting precise directions, I hurried over, my bag clutched in hand. Bei