Aria did not sleep the rest of the night.
She lay still on the bed, staring at the ceiling while Adrian slept beside her. His arm was still around her waist, heavy and warm, but it no longer felt comforting.
Kate.
The name repeated in her mind again and again.
Her chest felt tight.
She tried to push the thought away. Maybe she truly heard wrong. Maybe she imagined it because she already knew about Adrian's ex-wife. Maybe it was her own fear speaking.
But the voice in her head kept repeating it.
My perfect Kate.
Aria slowly turned her head and looked at Adrian's sleeping face. He looked peaceful, his brows relaxed, his breathing deep and steady.
She swallowed.
"Adrian…" she whispered softly.
He didn't respond.
She gently moved his arm away from her waist and sat up on the bed. The blanket slipped from her shoulders as she hugged herself.
The room was quiet.
Her body still ached from what happened earlier, but the warmth she felt before was gone.
Her mind was filled with questions.
After a long moment, Adrian shifted slightly behind her.
"Aria?" His voice was hoarse with sleep.
She turned quickly.
"You're awake?" she asked quietly.
Adrian rubbed his eyes and pushed himself up on the bed. His hair was messy, his expression tired.
"What's wrong?" he asked, studying her face. "Why are you sitting like that?"
Aria hesitated.
Her fingers tightened together.
"There's something I want to ask you."
Adrian frowned slightly.
"What is it?"
Aria took a deep breath.
"When we earlier" she began slowly. "When we were together"
Adrian's expression softened with a faint smile.
"You mean when we made love?" he asked.
Her face flushed slightly.
"Yes, when we were together."
"Hmm?" Adrian leaned back against the headboard.
Aria looked directly into his eyes.
"I heard you say something."
His brows knitted.
"What did I say?"
Her voice came out quieter.
"You said a name."
Adrian blinked.
"What name?"
Aria swallowed.
"Kate."
The moment the name left her mouth, Adrian's face darkened.
His expression changed immediately.
"What?"
Aria's heart beat faster.
"You said it," she insisted softly. "You whispered it."
Adrian stared at her.
"Aria, what are you talking about?"
"I heard you," she replied, her voice shaking slightly. "You called me 'Kate.' You said 'my perfect Kate.'"
The silence between them grew heavy.
Adrian suddenly sat up straighter, his face filled with irritation.
"Why would I say that?" he demanded.
Aria flinched at his tone.
"I don't know," she murmured. "That's why I asked."
Adrian ran a hand through his hair, looking annoyed.
"Aria," he muttered, "do you even hear yourself?"
Her chest tightened.
"I'm not trying to accuse you," she quickly added. "I just wanted to understand"
"Understand what?" Adrian cut in sharply. "That I called the name of someone I hate?"
Aria stared at him.
"Hate?"
"Yes, hate," he repeated with frustration. "Why would I call the name of a woman I hate so much?"
Aria didn't answer.
Adrian let out a bitter laugh.
"Kate left me," he continued. "She walked away when Daniel was only one month old."
His jaw tightened.
"She abandoned her own child."
Aria listened quietly.
"She left us for a richer man," Adrian added coldly. "Someone with more money and more power."
His eyes hardened.
"You think I would still call her name?"
Aria hesitated.
"I just… heard it clearly."
Adrian shook his head firmly.
"No, you didn't."
Her brows knitted.
"What?"
"You heard wrong," Adrian insisted.
"But"
"Aria," he interrupted again, his voice lower but firm. "Think about it."
He looked straight at her.
"Why would I say the name of a woman who destroyed my life?"
Aria opened her mouth but no words came out.
Adrian continued speaking.
"That woman humiliated me," he said bitterly. "She made me look like a fool."
His hands clenched slightly.
"She left me with a one-month-old baby and ran away with a rich man."
His voice carried anger.
"You think I still care about her?"
Aria looked down at her hands.
"No"
"Exactly," Adrian replied.
He leaned closer to her.
"As far as I'm concerned, Kate doesn't exist anymore."
Aria's heart wavered.
"But I heard"
"Aria."
Her head lifted again.
Adrian's expression softened slightly.
"You were tired," he explained calmly. "You drank earlier. Your mind probably mixed things up."
Aria remained quiet.
Adrian sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"You know how much I hate that woman," he continued. "I've told you many times."
"That's true," Aria admitted softly.
"And yet you believe I called her name during the most intimate moment between us?"
Her face turned red with embarrassment.
"I didn't mean to doubt you."
Adrian watched her for a moment.
Then his voice softened further.
"Aria," he murmured.
She looked up again.
"You are the one here with me," he said quietly. "You are the one taking care of Daniel."
Her eyes trembled slightly.
"You are the one helping me rebuild my company," he added.
Aria's lips parted.
"You are the one who stayed when everyone else walked away."
Her throat tightened.
Adrian reached out and gently held her hand.
"I believe you," he said sincerely.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"When the whole world accused you of harming Sophia, I didn't believe them."
Aria felt tears gathering in her eyes.
"I took you in," he continued. "I protected you when no one else did."
"Yes" she whispered.
Adrian squeezed her hand softly.
"Why would I hurt you like that?" he asked.
Aria didn't answer.
"You are my future," Adrian continued quietly.
Her heart skipped.
"I told you before," he added. "I'm learning to love you."
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Adrian reached up and gently wiped them away with his thumb.
"Look at you," he murmured. "Crying over something that didn't even happen."
"I'm sorry," Aria whispered quickly.
"You don't need to cry."
"I'm sorry for doubting you," she repeated.
Adrian studied her face for a moment.
Then he leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Don't overthink things," he murmured.
Aria closed her eyes briefly.
"You heard wrong," he added softly. "That's all."
She nodded slowly.
"Yes"
Adrian pulled her into a gentle hug.
"Let it go," he whispered near her ear.
Aria leaned against his chest.
Her voice was quiet.
"I'm sorry, Adrian."
"It's fine."
"I shouldn't have questioned you."
"It's alright."
She took a shaky breath.
"I trust you."
Adrian stroked her hair gently.
"Good," he murmured.
Aria stayed in his arms for a long moment.
Her mind still felt uneasy, but his calm voice slowly quieted her doubts.
Finally she whispered again.
"I won't bring it up again."
Adrian kissed the top of her head.
"That's my good girl," he murmured softly.
Aria nodded.
"Yes."
The room fell silent again.