“Mr. Duncan is only a few years older than me. They say men at this age are mature and steady, and I can see that’s true of you,” Aria said. “But I have one question that needs answering.”
Since Archer was already selecting wedding bands and planning their married life, she needed clarity on certain things.
The man’s cool, narrow eyes lifted slightly. “Please ask.”
“Would you ever be unfaithful, Mr. Duncan?”
After asking, she immediately felt it was inappropriate.
The atmosphere in the private lounge seemed to shift at the mention of infidelity, though Archer’s expression remained unchanged, his features still calm and refined.
He poured a cup of Earl Grey tea and pushed it toward her. Rising steam from the porcelain cup enveloped her beautiful yet gentle face, and she could smell the subtle bergamot fragrance.
Aria somewhat awkwardly held the cup and took a sip. The hot tea warmed her to the core, making her whole body feel cozy.
“I’m sorry,” she lowered her head, seeming to regret bringing up the topic.
In high society, how many men were truly faithful? Even Larry, who loved Linda so deeply, had chosen Lucy as a replacement.
“Why apologize?”
Archer didn’t find the topic inappropriate.
“This subject seems heavy, and perhaps offensive,” Aria said, gripping the teacup uncomfortably.
The warm amber lighting in the lounge cast a soft glow over her. From this distance and angle, he could see her eyelashes trembling slightly, giving her gentle demeanor a touch of uncertainty.
“I don’t find it offensive at all.”
Her tea was nearly empty. After refilling it, he spoke slowly.
“Not betraying one’s marriage and spouse is a husband’s basic duty. Anyone in the Duncan family who does such a thing would be expelled from the family trust, so you can rest assured.”
He was reassuring her.
“Do you have any other questions?” Archer raised an eyebrow slightly, seeming to welcome more inquiries.
Was she overthinking things?
It was good that he wasn’t angry.
Archer was a safety net she had arranged for herself.
“The Duncan family has strong values. I believe that even without love between us, we can still treat each other with respect.”
For some reason, she felt that after she said this, Archer’s previously warm attitude grew somewhat cooler.
“As long as Miss Jackson has thought it through.”
After their discussion, Archer drove her home in his Bentley. They didn’t exchange a word throughout the journey.
As she was getting out, he lowered the car window.
Through it, she could see his distinguished profile in the moonlight, and those deep, dark eyes with a hint of coolness.
Perhaps it was her imagination.
Even though they were discussing marriage, she still felt an inexplicable distance between them.
“Miss Jackson.”
His eyes were dark and profound as he spoke deliberately, “I’ll wait for your answer.”
With that, the window rolled up.
The car drove away into the night.
“It won’t be long now.”
Archer had already left, so this response seemed directed both at him and herself.
Aria had barely stepped through her front door when she received a call from Larry.
“Come to Harbour Hospital right now.” He spoke with restrained anger, hanging up before she could reply.
Calling her to the hospital at this hour—he was clearly angry about Lucy.
No matter. She didn’t mind going.
It was time to clear things up anyway.
After all, Archer was waiting for her answer.
Larry always took special care of Lucy, so even for something as simple as falling into water, he took her to the most prestigious private hospital in the city.
The hospital room door wasn’t fully closed. Larry’s assistant stood outside, giving Aria a once-over without comment before stepping aside.
Just as she was about to push the door open, she heard Lucy’s plaintive voice.
“Larry, please don’t blame Aria. She didn’t do it on purpose. Maybe she was upset that you brought me to the gala and couldn’t handle it. It’s all my fault. I’ve put you in a difficult position.
“I shouldn’t have been so selfish about attending the gala tonight.”
As she spoke, she coughed delicately. Larry rubbed her back, his voice full of tenderness and concern.
“Lucy, you’re just too kind-hearted.”
Too kind-hearted?
Kind enough to humiliate her in front of everyone? Kind enough to scheme with a belly full of plots to steal another woman’s husband?
Aria couldn’t listen anymore.
“She’s not kind-hearted. She’s malicious.”
Aria pushed open the door. She leaned against the doorframe, her posture relaxed—perhaps because she had lost all hope for Larry and no longer expected anything from him.
Larry turned and saw Aria’s striking face.
He froze.
Aria had changed out of her wet gown. Now she wore an elegant light blue silk dress. Her makeup had been removed, and though her face was somewhat pale, her lips remained vibrantly red. With this outfit, she carried an aura of cool detachment.
Having been married to her for years, Larry knew Aria’s beauty well. Looking at her now, he found himself momentarily lost, as if seeing the young Aria he had first met when they were young.
Lucy lowered her eyelashes, her nails digging into her palms, but her face showed only tears as she coughed lightly several times.
She tugged at Larry’s sleeve. “Larry, I think I have a fever. I feel terrible…”
Larry snapped back to reality. Seeing Lucy’s distress, whatever lingering feelings he might have had for Aria disappeared.
He held Lucy’s hand reassuringly. “Lucy, it’s okay. Take your medicine and get some sleep. You’ll feel better.”
Larry spoke gently to comfort Lucy. She covered her mouth and coughed again, appearing fragile and pitiful.
Seeing her like this, Larry’s anger toward Aria flared up again.
“Aria, you’re the malicious one. How dare you blame Lucy!”
Aria looked at the ugly expression on the face of the man before her. That gentle, caring lover from her memories seemed long gone. Stripped of his facade, all that remained was cruel reality.
“I don’t want to waste time arguing about this. I didn’t come here to watch Lucy act or listen to your nonsense.”
Aria felt completely numb toward this relationship.
She lowered her eyes and slowly walked up to Larry.
Up close, the subtle perfume she wore became more noticeable.
Larry looked up, his heart involuntarily tightening as he met her cold, detached amber eyes. His gaze moved down to the divorce papers in her hand, and his brow furrowed deeply.
His voice turned icy. “Aria, do you know what you’re doing?”
Of course she knew what she was doing. She was more concerned that Larry didn’t know what he was doing.
Aria handed the divorce papers to him.
“Larry, we’ve been entangled for five years.”
“Whatever small amount of love that might have existed between us has been completely destroyed by these five years of conflict.”
“Five years is enough.” She met Larry’s eyes and emphasized each word, “So, let’s get divorced.”
