Chapter 0029
I went into the house with the full intention of getting a piece of cake for Aria. I could tell from her tone that she was annoyed with me and that I’d done little to rectify the situation. I’d thought the topic of her having a child might help resolve things, but it’d only seemed to push her away from me even further.
A piece of cake wouldn’t solve everything, but as a gesture, it couldn’t hurt. She could hopefully see that I was at least making an attempt. That had to be worth something
While I wasn’t thrilled to leave her out there alone, in that dress, at least she had my suit coat draped over her shoulders. With that, she should be covered with enough of my scent to keep other alphas away.
Except perhaps Jasper, who seemed too curious for his own good.
Aria was still my wife. Until that changed, Jasper should know well enough to stay away. Perhaps I would have to have a conversation with him about propriety towards his Luna.
As I stood in line for the cake, I seethed. Every moment away from Aria felt like a missed opportunity. I should have been using this time to convince her to come back to the home that we had shared the home that was now worse off without her.
Before I could reach the front of the line, my Beta Ben appeared and rushed to my side. “There you are, Alpha. I’ve finally reached our contact at the hospital. He confirmed that Dr. A is still in her office, where she’s been all evening. She can’t be Aria.”
“No, she can’t,” I repeated. That had to be the truth. Aria and Dr. A couldn’t be in two places at the same time if they were the same person. Yet this reality check had me reeling. I had been so sure. There were so many similarities between the two.
Even Max felt confused, pacing with agitation inside of my mind.
“You are certain?” I asked.
“Our contact is taking a photograph,” Ben said. “But it will take time to get it over here.”
I had no reason to doubt Ben or our contact at the hospital. Both were sources that I trusted. Yet… “I need that photograph,” I said.
“I’ll have him rush it,” Ben said and scurried away.
Finally, I reached the front of the line. As Aria’s piece of cake was finally being cut and placed on a plate, one of the nearby phones rang.
My mom, exasperated, yelled, “Someone get that.”
Ben, who had been on his way to the phone anyway, dutifully picked it up.
Arla’s piece of cake in hand, I started to turn back toward the doors to the pool.
“Alpha!” Ben called before I could take more than two steps. I looked back at him, over my shoulder. “It’s for you. It’s Sheila.”
Immediately my heart sunk. I had more important matters than dealing with Sheila tonight. This might have been my last chance to woo Aria again and convince her to give up the divorce. I’d done a poor job of it so far. I needed more time, more chances. I was sure I could convince her i just –
“She’s threatening to kill herself,” Ben said, frowning.
1/2
+25 BONUS
A few people nearby turned to look.
Likely, this was all a ruse by Sheila. She hadn’t wanted me to come out tonight, didn’t want me to reconcile withi Aria. But a suicide threat wasn’t something I could simply ignore, especially if it turned out to be true.
I already had so much guilt over Sheila, If I failed her in this as well…
I gave Aria’s cake to someone else in line, and then told Ben, “I’ll take it in the office. Don’t hang up hear me pick up.”
