Aiden's POV

The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor greeted me as I entered my grandmother's hospital room. The sight of her-this once formidable woman now reduced to a frail figure against starched white sheets-never failed to disturb me. She had raised me single-handedly after my parents' deaths, sacrificing everything to ensure I wanted for nothing.

"Aiden," she called out, her voice weak but her eyes lighting up. "You came."

"I come every day, Grandmother," I replied, taking a seat beside her bed. Her hand felt paper-thin in mine, the prominent veins mapping decades of strength and struggle.

After the pleasantries and updates about Carter Group's latest acquisitions, she fixed me with that penetrating stare I knew all too well.

"The doctor says I don't have much time left," she stated matter-of-factly.

"You've outlived three doctors who've told you that," I countered, forcing a smile.

She wasn't amused. "I want to see you married before I die, Aiden. I want to know you won't be alone."

This again. The same conversation we'd been having since her diagnosis. "Grandmother-"

"No excuses," she interrupted, her grip suddenly tightening around my fingers. "I've indulged your single status long enough. You're thirty-two, successful, handsome-there's no reason for you to remain unmarried except stubborn pride."

I sighed, knowing better than to argue. My grandmother had built the Carter empire alongside my grandfather, navigating a man's world with unparalleled tenacity. If she set her mind on something, resistance was futile.

"Promise me," she insisted, her eyes boring into mine. "Promise you'll marry soon. I refuse to die until I see it happen."

The ultimatum hung between us. I nodded slowly, placating her with vague assurances while internally calculating the probability of finding a suitable wife in her remaining time-low to nonexistent, considering my standards and schedule.

"I promise I'll work on it," I finally said, a diplomatic enough answer to satisfy her temporarily.

She seemed content with that, settling back against her pillows. We spent another hour together, discussing business, reminiscing about my childhood, and carefully avoiding the topic of marriage again.

As I left her room, Lucas Grant, my secretary and right-hand man for the past seven years, was waiting in the hallway.

"How is Mrs. Carter?" he asked, falling into step beside me.

"Stubborn as ever," I replied. "Still fixated on seeing me married."

Lucas smirked, clearly holding back a laugh. "Well, she's not the only one hoping to see you settle down before retirement."

I shot him a warning look.

He cleared his throat, his expression quickly shifting to serious.

"Anyway. there's something you should know. The woman from the accident-she's here. In this hospital."

I stopped walking. Earlier today, while driving to visit my grandmother, a woman had run into the street directly in front of my car. I'd swerved to avoid hitting her, causing her to fall. My driver had reported she seemed physically fine, just shaken, but I'd instructed Lucas to find out her identity and arrange compensation regardless.

"Aria Jones," Lucas continued, reading from his tablet. "Daughter of Benjamin Jones."

The name registered immediately.

Jones Industries wasn't a direct competitor to Carter Group-but our paths had crossed more than once. Especially since their recent collaboration with White Corporation, tensions between our interests had grown. subtly, but unmistakably.

Benjamin Jones wasn't an enemy, but he certainly wasn't someone I'd expected to owe a personal debt to.

"There's more," Lucas added hesitantly. "She was in a wedding dress when the accident occurred. Apparently, her fiancé left her at the altar today."

I raised an eyebrow. "Interesting timing."

"Her fiancé was Liam White," Lucas said, watching my reaction carefully.

Now that was genuinely surprising. Liam White-the incompetent heir to White Enterprises, who'd been riding on his father's coattails for years. White Enterprises had been a thorn in Carter Group's side since my grandfather's time, with their underhanded business tactics and inferior products flooding markets we'd pioneered.

"I think we should visit her," I decided. "Offer our apologies and compensation in person."

Lucas nodded, though I could tell he was puzzled by my sudden interest in what would normally be delegated to our legal team.

We found her in the hallway outside what I presumed was her room, standing alone-pale, visibly shaken. And still wearing a wedding gown.

The sight stopped me cold.

The dress, once pristine, was now wrinkled and stained, the edges darkened by dust and pavement. Her veil hung loosely over her shoulders, a ghost of celebration turned into tragedy. But it was her face that held me.

She was beautiful-undeniably so. Not in a polished, practiced way, but with a kind of raw, unfiltered radiance. Her features were delicate, almost fragile, like porcelain on the verge of cracking. Her eyes, red-rimmed from crying, held a quiet devastation. but also something else. Grace. Dignity. A restrained strength that made it impossible to look away.

Somehow, even in that ruined gown, or perhaps because of it, she looked unforgettable.

"Miss Jones?" I approached her directly.

She looked up, recognition flashing in her eyes. "I know who you are," she said cautiously after I introduced myself. "What do you want?"

Once in her hospital room, I got straight to the point, explaining my involvement in her fall and offering compensation. Her response surprised me.

"It was an accident," she said, dismissing my offer. "I ran into the road without looking. If anything, I should be apologizing to you for damaging your car."

Her grace in such circumstances was unexpected. Most people would have already called their lawyers, especially someone from her social standing.

Before I could respond, something on her phone seemed to upset her. Her expression hardened, determination replacing despair. Then she looked up at me with newfound purpose.

"Actually, there is something you could do for me."

I waited, expecting perhaps a request for a ride home or assistance dealing with the media.

"Marry me."

I was certain I'd misheard her. Lucas's choking sound confirmed I hadn't.

"Excuse me?" I managed, keeping my tone even.

"You heard me," she replied with surprising confidence. "Marry me. A business arrangement, nothing more. I have something you want, and you have something I need."

Intrigued despite myself, I asked, "And what exactly do I want that you possess, Miss Jones?"

"The riverside property Dad gifted me on my twenty-first birthday," she stated. "I know Carter Group has been trying to acquire it for your new development project."

She was correct. That property was the missing piece for our waterfront development-prime real estate we'd been negotiating to purchase for over a year. Benjamin Jones had consistently refused our offers, claiming the land was no longer his to sell.

"And what do you need from me?" I asked, genuinely curious now.

"Revenge." Her direct gaze was unwavering. "Liam White left me humiliated and broken. The media is having a field day with it. But imagine their reaction when they discover I've moved on-with his biggest business rival, no less."

I couldn't help but admire her strategic thinking. It was bold, unexpected, and potentially beneficial to both of us. The riverside property alone was worth millions-the cornerstone of our expansion plans. And seeing White's face when he discovered his ex-fiancée had married me would be... satisfying, to say the least.

And then, unbidden, my grandmother's voice echoed in my mind: "Promise me you'll marry soon. I refuse to die until I see it happen."

This arrangement could solve two problems simultaneously. My grandmother would get her wish, potentially extending her will to fight her illness. And I would acquire the land we needed without prolonged negotiations or legal battles.

"I'll consider it," I said finally. "But I have one condition of my own."

She waited, her expression a mixture of hope and apprehension.

"This marriage must appear genuine," I stated firmly. "No public acknowledgment of its business nature. We present ourselves as a legitimate couple who fell in love quickly. The marriage lasts a minimum of one year, after which we can quietly divorce if we choose."

I needed this to be convincing-for my grandmother, for business optics, and, apparently, for Miss Jones's revenge to be effective.

She hesitated only briefly before nodding. "Agreed. But I have additional terms. While this is a business arrangement, I expect respect and fidelity during our marriage. And I want your support in establishing my independence-perhaps a position at Carter Group where I can develop professionally."

Her request revealed more about her character than she probably intended. This wasn't just about revenge.

"We have a deal, Miss Jones," I said, extending my hand. "I'll have the papers drawn up immediately."

As we shook hands, I couldn't help but notice the flash of triumph in her eyes. Liam White had clearly underestimated this woman. I would not make the same mistake.

"Call me Aria," she said with the ghost of a smile. "If we're going to be married, we should at least be on a first-name basis."

"Aria," I acknowledged with a nod. "Welcome to the Carter family."

Aria's POV

I stared at the door Aiden Carter had just walked through, my brain still trying to process what had just happened. Did he really agree to marry me? Just like that?

The deal I'd proposed seemed almost absurd now that I had a moment to actually think about it. Me, Aria Jones, marrying Aiden Carter - the thirty-two-year-old heir to the Carter empire and my ex-fiancé's biggest business rival. A marriage that would solve both our problems. Mine: escaping the humiliation of being left at the altar. His: getting that piece of land his company had been eyeing for years.

My thoughts were interrupted when Lillian burst into the hospital room, her eyes wide with shock.

"Was that Aiden Carter who just left your room?" she asked, her voice rising an octave higher than usual.

I nodded, still feeling somewhat dazed.

"The Aiden Carter? CEO of Carter Group? The one Forbes listed as one of the thirty most influential businessmen under forty? That Aiden Carter?"

"Yes, that one," I confirmed, adjusting my position on the hospital bed.

"What was he doing here? Wait... is this about the accident?"

I filled her in on part of what happened, conveniently leaving out the marriage proposal I'd just made. "He came to discuss the compensation for my injuries from the car accident."

Lillian looked skeptical but didn't push further. After helping me gather my things, she drove me home so I could change before heading back to the hospital to look after Dad.

Dad had simply fainted from his emotional breakdown, nothing serious, but they wanted to keep him under observation.

Once at home, I changed into a comfortable sweater and jeans, trying not to think too much about what I had just initiated. Was I really going to marry Aiden Carter? A man I barely knew beyond his reputation as a ruthless businessman?

Back at the hospital,Dad was looking better than he had in one day. I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. At least something was going right.

The next day, as I sat by his bedside, reading a book while he slept, the door to the hospital room opened. I looked up, expecting to see a nurse or doctor.

Instead, Liam White stood in the doorway,holding a bouquet of flowers.

My heart clenched painfully at the sight of him. The man who had promised to love me forever. The man who had left me standing alone at the altar. The man who had chosen Sophia Clarke over me when bullets were flying.

"Aria..." he began, his voice soft and apologetic. "I heard about your father. I wanted to see how you both were doing."

Before I could respond, Lillian jumped to her feet from where she'd been sitting in the corner of the room.

"How dare you show your face here! After what you did? You left her at the altar, you self-centered jerk! And now you have the audacity to walk in here like nothing happened?" she hissed.

Dad's eyes fluttered open at the commotion. When he saw Liam, his expression hardened.

"Get out," Dad said, his voice weak but firm.

Liam took a step forward. "Mr. Jones, please, I just want to explain-"

"I said get out!" Dad's voice rose, causing the heart rate monitor to beep faster. "You've done enough damage to my daughter."

I remained silent, staring at Liam with a coldness I never thought I could feel toward him. This was the man I'd loved for twelve years. The man I'd planned to spend my life with. Now, looking at him, I felt... nothing. Just a hollow emptiness where my heart should be.

"Aria, please..." Liam pleaded, looking at me with those eyes that used to make my knees weak.

"You heard Dad," I finally spoke, my voice steady. "Leave."

Lillian practically shoved him through the doorway. I could hear her furious voice in the hallway, tearing into him with a vengeance.

" Go back to your precious Sophia and leave Aria alone before I call security and have you thrown out!"

When she returned, her face was flushed with anger. She looked at me with concern.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded, surprised to find that I actually was. Seeing Liam hadn't hurt as much as I thought it would.

Over the next few days, I noticed that I couldn't access any social media on my phone or tablet. Lillian had secretly disconnected them from the internet, trying to shield me from the cruel comments online. But I confronted her about it.

"I want to see what they're saying, Lillian," I insisted.

Her face crumpled with worry. "Why would you want to torture yourself like that?"

I gave her a sad smile. "It took me twelve years to wake up. If I don't pour some salt on the wound, I might forget the pain once it heals."

Hearing this, Lillian's eyes welled with tears, but she reluctantly handed over her phone.

"People are so cruel," Lillian muttered, watching me scroll through comments on a gossip site. "How can they say these things about you?"

I read the comments myself. The public had been merciless, speculating about why Liam had left me. Some suggested I wasn't good enough for him. Others claimed I must have done something terrible to drive him away. A few even celebrated his choice to be with Sophia, painting her as some sort of romantic heroine who had won against all odds.

Each comment was like a small knife, but with each cut, I felt my resolve harden. I had been naive, believing in a fairy tale romance that never truly existed. Now it was time to face reality and move forward.

The day Dad was discharged from the hospital, we were gathering his things when my phone buzzed with a text message. I checked it discreetly, my heart skipping a beat when I saw it was from Aiden:

"I have time tomorrow. Meet me at the civil affairs office at 10 AM. Bring your documents. - A.C."

I read the message three times, my heart racing. Despite his agreement in the hospital, part of me hadn't fully believed Aiden Carter would actually go through with our arrangement.

"Who's that from, sweetheart?" Dad asked, noticing my expression change.

"Just work," I lied smoothly, tucking my phone away. "Nothing important."

As we headed home, Lillian immediately dragged me into my bedroom.

"Alright, spill the tea!" she said, bouncing onto my bed with an excited gleam in her eyes.

"I saw who texted you earlier. It was Aiden Carter, wasn't it? The Aiden Carter!"

"Yes," I admitted, trying to sound casual. "But it's nothing important."

"Nothing important?" She raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.

"The most eligible bachelor in the city doesn't just text people out of the blue for 'nothing important.'"

She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "Come on, what's it about?"

I let out a sigh. "It's just. compensation stuff. From the accident."

"Compensation?" Her eyes widened with interest. "What kind of compensation are we talking about here? Did he run over your dog or something?"

I hesitated. How could I explain that I'd asked Aiden Carter, the most powerful businessman in the city, to pretend to be my husband? The absurdity of my request hit me all over again.

Lillian misinterpreted my silence. "Look, Aria, don't feel bad about asking for money. Aiden Carter practically bathes in it. Problems that can be solved with cash aren't problems for him at all." She grinned mischievously. "So how much did you ask for? Tell me and make my day!"

"I didn't ask for money," I admitted. "I made a different kind of request."

Her curiosity piqued even further. "What request?"

I took a deep breath, about to confess my impulsive proposal-

when the door opened and Martha, one of the housekeepers, stepped in.

I turned to her, frowning slightly. "What is it, Martha?"

She gave a polite nod. "Miss Jones, Mr. White is here to see you. He's brought Miss Clarke with him."

My body tensed immediately. "Tell him I'm not available."

Lillian sat up straight, suddenly alert. "Sophia's here too? Oh, this I've got to see." She turned to Martha. "Show them in."

"Lillian-" I protested, but she was already smoothing down her dress.

"Trust me, Aria. I want to see what those two have to say for themselves."

Minutes later, Liam and Sophia entered the living room. Liam looked uncomfortable, while Sophia maintained her usual fragile appearance, clutching Liam's arm as though she might collapse without his support.

"Aria," Liam began, his voice strained. "I came to apologize again for what happened. I know I've hurt you-"

Lillian cut him off with a humorless laugh. "That's the understatement of the century."

Sophia's eyes widened in manufactured innocence. "We truly didn't mean for things to happen this way. I've been feeling terrible about everything."

"I understand you're upset on Aria's behalf," Sophia said softly, tears welling in her eyes. "But you don't know how complicated things were. I was in such a dark place with my depression-"

"Save the performance for someone who's buying it," Lillian snapped. "Using mental illness as a cover for your manipulations is disgusting."

Liam's face hardened. "That's enough. Sophia's condition is real, and you have no right to speak to her that way."

"And you had no right to humiliate Aria the way you did," Lillian fired back. "First you shield this woman instead of your fiancée during the shooting, then you abandon Aria on what should have been the happiest day of her life!"

"I made mistakes," Liam admitted, "but Sophia was vulnerable-"

"And Aria wasn't?" Lillian was practically shouting now. "She was shot, Liam! While you were busy playing hero for your mistress!"

Sophia's tears were flowing freely now. "Please stop," she whimpered. "This is exactly why I didn't want to come. I knew everyone would blame me."

Liam pulled her closer. "This isn't Sophia's fault. If anyone's to blame, it's me." He looked at me, his expression hardening, "Besides, your attitude toward Sophia is terrible. You don't know that Sophia genuinely suffers from-"

"From what, Liam?" I interrupted, finding my voice at last. "From an inability to find a man of her own? From a desperate need to take what belongs to others?"

Sophia's eyes filled with tears. "Aria, please. I understand you're hurt, but I'm not faking my illness. That's... that's cruel."

"What's cruel is showing up at my house after what you two did!" I shot back.

"Aria," Liam said firmly, his arm now around Sophia protectively, "I know I hurt you, but you need to stop attacking Sophia. She's not well, and this stress isn't good for her condition."

"Attacking?" I let out a cold laugh. "You think this is attacking?"

I shot Liam a glance, then without hesitation turned and slapped Sophia hard across the face.

"Get out. Both of you. You pathetic, cheating pair."

Liam's expression darkened instantly. "Why did you hit Sophia? She's having an episode! It's not something she can control!Aria, you're really disappointing me."

Sophia tugged at his sleeve, playing the perfect victim. "Don't blame Aria, Liam. I deserve this. It's all my fault your wedding didn't happen. It's my fault!"

Lillian spat in disgust at the pathetic display before us. "Oh, you've done nothing wrong, have you? You have depression, so the whole world should bow down to you!"

I didn't bother watching Sophia's performance any longer.

I turned to the security guard. "Get them out of my house."

---

Sophia's POV

I couldn't stop the tears as Liam led me away from Aria's house. My cheek still stung from her slap, and I made sure Liam noticed my trembling.

"Are you okay?" His voice was tender as he helped me into his car. "I can't believe she did that to you."

I leaned into his concern, letting a small sob escape. "I just wanted to make things right. I never meant to hurt anyone."

Liam's jaw tightened with anger. "You did nothing wrong. Come on, let's go somewhere to cheer you up."

He took me to the most exclusive shopping center in town, buying me jewelry and designer clothes to soothe my "fragile nerves."

Once I returned home that evening, I decided I wasn't finished with Aria just yet. I called her, knowing exactly how to get under her skin.

"Aria?" I feigned surprise when she answered. "I just wanted to remind you that tomorrow is your and Liam's 4th Love Anniversary. Or it would have been."

"You're planning to get your marriage license with him tomorrow, aren't you?" I added sweetly. "I'm planning something special."

I expected tears, pleas, or anger. Instead, Aria laughed.

"Is that supposed to hurt me, Sophia?" Her voice was different-stronger, colder. "Celebrate all you want. You've saved me from a lifetime with a man who couldn't even protect me when it mattered most."

Her response caught me off guard. "You're just saying that. I know you still love him."

"You know nothing about me," she replied calmly. "Enjoy your life with a man who couldn't even be honest with the woman he was supposed to marry. I wonder when he'll do the same to you."

The line went dead before I could respond.It wasn't the reaction I'd hoped for, and frustration bubbled up in my chest.

The cheek she'd slapped burned again, as if her words had reignited the sting.

"Aaah!" I shrieked, hurling my phone onto the bed before snatching it up again to call Liam.

I was going to find out just how long Aria could keep up that façade.

Because sooner or later, she'd shatter.