Too Late, Mr. Cooper: Your Bride Ran with Your Baby novel Chapter 203

Liliana immediately answered the call, her lips parting. "Aiden..."

"Liliana." Aiden's refined, gentle voice came through the phone, tinged with a light smile. "How have you been lately?"

He didn't pry, maintaining his usual warm and measured demeanor.

"I'm okay," Liliana replied, keeping her own answer brief.

She couldn't help but ask with concern, "Aiden, you must be exhausted. How is the company? Is everything going smoothly?"

Aiden chuckled warmly. "It's fine. Everything's on track. We've officially started production on the new items for Phoenix's fall collection. I'll send you photos of the first samples as soon as they're ready."

A wave of guilt washed over Liliana. "I'm sorry, Aiden. I was the one who brought you into this, and now..."

"Don't worry about it," he comforted her gently. "I'm a shareholder in Phoenix, too, right? I have a lot of faith in this studio. It's only right that I help out."

"You just take it easy abroad, Liliana. Try to be happy. And if you're not, you can always come to me."

For some reason, hearing Aiden's soft, soothing tone made her nose prickle, and she suddenly felt the urge to cry. She quickly bowed her head and rubbed her eyes. It was true what they said—pregnancy hormones really did a number on your emotions.

After a moment, Liliana managed a hoarse, "Thank you, Aiden."

"I probably won't be back for a few months. Phoenix will need you to look after it. If anything comes up that requires my attention, I can handle it online."

Liliana assumed he meant he was planning a study trip after work calmed down. She smiled, not thinking much of it. "That's up to you, Aiden. Do as you please."

Aiden replied with a warm chuckle and said no more. But just before they hung up, he asked, seemingly offhandedly, "Who are you with over there, Liliana?"

Liliana was momentarily surprised but saw no reason to hide it. "A family friend. My brother was worried about me being abroad alone, so he asked him to help keep me safe."

Aiden's eyes narrowed slightly behind his glasses, a thoughtful smile playing on his lips. "A male friend?"

Liliana's gaze flickered. That was odd. Aiden was acting strangely today. In the past, he never would have asked such a personal question. He had always been respectful of boundaries, never crossing the line. That was precisely why she had always felt so comfortable around him back in school.