---- Chapter 32: Your Only Crime Was Looking Like Her Clara didn't know how long she'd been asleep. Just as she was about to drift off again, a freezing cold body suddenly slid into bed behind her. Startled by the chill, she instinctively rolled away-only to be pulled right back by a strong arm locking around her waist. "Stop moving. Just go to sleep," Aaron muttered in his low, gravelly voice, his breath warm against her ear. His hand gently threaded through her hair, slowly calming her like one would soothe a frightened animal. Within moments, Clara melted into his touch and slipped back into sleep. By the time she woke again, she was sweating. The bed felt like a sauna, her pajamas clinging to her skin like glue. She rolled over with a groan and glanced at her ---- phone. 1] a.m. "Seriously?" she mumbled. "Half the day's already gone." She sat up, frowning at herself. "You fly all the way over here... and we just sleep?" A low chuckle came from beside her. "Is there anything else you wanna do?" Clara's face instantly flushed red. "Stop!" Aaron couldn't help but laugh. "Really, you can do it with me." "Stop it! Don't twist my words!" Clara snapped, practically tripping over herself as she bolted into the bathroom to hide. Aaron sighed, smiling to himself. Yep-he'd called it. As soon as she sobered up, she'd pretend none of last night ever happened. And here he was thinking maybe he finally had a shot. When Clara came out-showered, refreshed, and composed-he was already fully dressed. "I want to visit my dad today," she said, pulling ---- her hair into a neat ponytail. "Then I'll swing by my mother's old place. What about you? You can head back first if you've got stuff to do." "Tl come with you," Aaron said, adjusting his cufflinks. "But first-we eat." He took her to a tucked-away little restaurant. The vibe was low-key and classy, with clean lines and warm lighting. It was the kind of place where the rich pretended to be humble. Every server was tall, attractive, and gliding around like runway models dressed in sleek uniforms. Clara raised an eyebrow. "Look at you. Knowing all the hidden gems in my hometown better than I do." Aaron shrugged modestly. "Work brings me around." Clara smirked. "Mmmhmm. I've heard that one before. You sure it's not just to chase pretty girls?" Aaron shot her a sly glance. "There aren't that ---- many pretty girls around here. Just you." Clara nearly choked on her own saliva. Up ahead, the server leading them stumbled slightly, and two nearby diners did a double take. Clara turned bright red. She pinched Aaron hard and hissed under her breath, "Can you not say stuff like that in public?!" Aaron smoothly caught her hand and laced their fingers together. "I only speak the truth." Today, Clara wore a simple beige dress that fit like a glove-elegant, understated, and flattering in all the right ways. Her pearl earrings swayed gently with her every step. Aaron couldn't take his eyes off her. She was the kind of beautiful that crept up on you-quiet, clean, and graceful. Once they were seated in a private booth and placed their order, Aaron waved the server away and casually began brewing tea. "I grew up here too," he said, pouring her a cup. "My childhood ---- was such a mess, it could've been turned into a best-selling tragedy." Clara arched a brow. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?" "Nope. I just don't want you eating, drinking, then ghosting me." Clara sipped the tea and smirked. "I'm not heading into battle. I can handle this on my own. "We're married," Aaron said simply. "Facing things together is part of the deal." Clara's expression cooled. "Did you forget how we got married?" Aaron didn't even blink. "Doesn't matter. The paperwork's legit." She didn't respond. Instead, she pulled out her phone and sent Sierra a message, checking in on Leo. After lunch, the restaurant owner handed Aaron a car key. He led her out to a black sedan.