Chasing His Rejected Wife
Chapter 51 -

The car's interior was charged with an uncomfortable silence after I asked my question. I watched Aiden carefully, trying to decode his thoughts, but he'd slipped on that damn neutral mask again. The silence stretched into a minute and I asked again, my voice unwavering and demanding.

"What was in that box, Aiden?"

This time, he spared me a glance, his gaze searing right through my skin. "The one you took from my room?" "I...you knew about that?"

I felt like I'd just been slammed against a wall. For the second time, my mouth went slack and tentacles of dread and guilt crawled up my spine. When Anna had failed to crack the code to open the deposit box, I'd quietly returned it back to Aiden's room, relieved that he hadn't noticed it missing.

But apparently, he had noticed, he knew I was the one that took it and chose not to say anything about it until now. And that also meant he knew I hadn't been able to pry open its secrets. Aiden sighed. "Yes."

"Well...then...why didn't you say anything?"

"What was there to say?" He shrugged. "I figured that if you were desperate enough to take it without asking, that there was something inside you wanted very badly." "What?" It didn't make sense in the least. Then I remembered how Aiden had sneered at me when I'd given him the box and the words he'd hurled like a well aimed missile. "Do you really believe that what's in there will make me stay married to you?"

That and coupled with the knowledge that he had believed I knew what he and his father had agreed on, slotted everything into place.

"I didn't know what was inside, and that's why I took it because I got curious." I explained. "I...overheard you and Vincent talking about the divorce and it sounded like Julian had done something to force you to stay married to me. I just wanted to replace out if it was true."

Another bout of silence ensured, punctuated by the noises from outside, horns blaring impatiently, sirens wailing in the distance.

"He knew I wasn't keen on the idea of getting married." Aiden said. "And that was marriage in general, not exactly specific to you, just that I didn't believe I was ready to take on that responsibility. But he thought otherwise. He was ready to hand over the reins of the business to me, but he felt that the Board would be more accepting of the change if I got married. He liked you, believed that you were the best choice of a partner for me - he'd trained you in the business personally, so naturally, he suggested I marry you."

"But he didn't account for your feelings, did he?" I said, my guilt deepening the more I heard. I'd guessed it was something like this, but hearing it from him made it all so much worse.

"I liked you well enough, but I..." He broke off with an exasperated sigh. "Let's just say we had a difference of opinion and he threatened to cut me off if I didn't do what he wanted, and he knew that I would probably end the marriage when he died, so he added that caveat to protect you from me.".

My mouth tasted bitter, and I wanted to replace somewhere to hide.

'Julian, you should never have put my happiness over your own son's wishes,' I thought sadly. All it had ended up doing was make everyone miserable.

"I'm sorry." I whispered, my head bowed, unable to look him in the eye.

He looked startled by my apology. "Please don't, Jess. You didn't do anything wrong."

But I shook my head. "I knew you were unhappy while we were married and I ignored it because I kept foolishly hoping that you'd eventually come around and accept it. I held on for two years, while we both got more and more miserable in each other's company. I should have accepted the truth sooner and set you free."

He blew out a breath. "Jess, about the divorce -"

"You said you wouldn't fight me on it." I cut in, certain more than ever that it was the right move. "Aiden, children are not some miracle cure. They won't fix whatever is broken, or mend the messy foundation that we started off with. It wouldn't be fair to either one of us, or the children."

I gathered up enough courage to tentatively touch his arm. He was tense, the muscles bunched tightly as though he was holding himself back from doing something.

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"We both deserve a fresh start, I think. And I'm glad we're parting on good terms," I wanted to say 'as friends,' but I wasn't sure we were there yet. "Because it'll make it that much easier to be co-parents when our little ones are here."

He pursed his lips, blue eyes a darker shade than usual, the most expression of emotion I could see, but now that I was touching him, I could tell how affected he was. Very much.

"Good terms..." He mulled over the words and doubt crossed his face. "I'm not sure if that will be an option."

My heart sank and I pulled away, stung by his rejection. I wanted to ask why he thought it was impossible that we could remain amiable towards each other, but I swallowed the question.

Fortunately, we had just arrived at my building and hastily gathered my things, eager to escape. I had the door open the second Aiden pulled to a stop in front of the lobby.

"Thanks for the ride." I murmured, with one foot already outside.

"Jess, wait."

I stopped moving and reluctantly faced him, borrowing a leaf from him and keeping my expression neutral. "What is it?"

"I didn't mean to imply we can't be civil to one another," Aiden explained, grimacing as though the words were hard to utter. "Because I hope that down the line, it still remains true, regardless of what happens after." I frowned, wondering why he was being so cryptic. "After what?"

His phone began ringing and for a fleeting moment, he looked....relieved?

"It's Dr. Strand," he informed me and I quickly forgot that I was supposed to be making a quick exit. Instead, I leaned in, as he put the call on speaker.

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"Dr. Strand, I'm here with my wi - with Jessica. Were you able to contact the specialist?"

The doctor's voice crackled slightly as she answered. "Yes, I spoke with him, and I've set up a first consultation for 9.am, the day after tomorrow. I hope that's not too short a notice? His schedule is packed but that's the one time he could fit you in as a favor to me."

Aiden looked at me and when I nodded, he spoke. "That's fine. We'll leave for Texas tomorrow."

"Great! I'll forward your patient records to him. Remember to rest as much as possible, Jessica, and take the vitamins I gave you as soon as possible."

"I will. Thank you for everything, Doctor."

I leaned back and let Aiden finish the conversation, already making plans for the trip.

Aiden ended the call and immediately dialed another number. "Get the jet ready for a trip to Houston. Tomorrow at noon. And make arrangements for accommodations for Jessica and I."

He hung up and I pulled myself out of the car, then bent down to talk to him.

"I'll see you tomorrow then?"

"Let me walk you up." He offered, already undoing his seat belt.

"No...no...I'll be okay on my own." I said and quickly stepped back before he could insist. I hurried into the lobby, conscious of him watching me intently, but I didn't look back.