Aria’s POV
Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I glanced toward my father, about to tell him Aiden had arrived. But remembering Charles had just gone downstairs, I held my tongue. He'd bring Aiden up in a moment anyway.
Dad noticed my expression change, the small smile playing at my lips. He didn't need to ask who it was—he knew.
Sure enough, just as he looked away, Charles appeared at the doorway with Aiden behind him.
Aiden's eyes found mine first, lingering for just a second before he turned to my father. "Dad," he said respectfully.
My father nodded in acknowledgment. "Have you eaten?"
"I have," Aiden replied, already making his way to sit beside me.
Despite whatever reservations Dad might have had about recent events, he didn't let it show. He asked Aiden abou
