Chapter 475

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Two days later , Owen ordered food from Amour Bistro in advance for them and told them he’d be home late .
Aria replied : [ Okay . ] But she felt something was off , so she scrolled through their chat history .
She noticed that Owen usually kept her informed about everything he did , yet he hadn’t mentioned where he was going this time .
Aria texted him directly : [ What were you doing ? ]
Two hours later , she finally received a reply : [ Handled some business . All taken care of now . Heading back to the office . Get some rest . No need to wait for me . ]
He didn’t elaborate , and Aria didn’t press further .
She only replied : [ Okay . ]
After her bath , Aria leaned against the headboard at nine o’clock , reading . The blue glow of her vibrating phone lit up her face . A message from Owen popped up . [ I’m home . ]
Aria didn’t reply . Closing her book , she headed next door . The soft click of the fingerprint lock startled the figure standing in the entryway .
Owen turned around , his shirt hem slightly creased . With his usual calm smile , he greeted her , “ Madelyn ? What brings you here ? ”
His expression was as calm as usual . Nothing seemed amiss . But Aria trusted her gut . She was certain Owen was keeping something from her .
She didn’t hurry toward him . Instead , she leaned casually against the wall , looked at him with a faint smile , and asked , “ You’re not happy to see me ? ”
“ No , always happy to see you , ” Owen replied with a gentle smile .
Then , Aria stepped closer to him .
Owen’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly . He took a half – step back , then stopped himself . “ Stay over tonight ? ”
Standing close , Aria caught a faint whiff of antiseptic . She looked up at Owen with a frown . “ Did you get hurt ? ” she asked .
Owen maintained his composure , his gaze unwavering in its sincerity . “ No , why would you think so ? ”
He wasn’t hurt , so it wasn’t exactly a lie .
Aria’s gaze cooled . “ Want me to strip you down and check you myself ? ”
Aria couldn’t figure out why Owen would bother hiding something as simple as an injury .
‘ He seems fine , so even if he did get hurt , it shouldn’t be anything serious , ‘ she thought .
Aria fell silent , turned , and started to leave . Panicked , Owen instinctively grabbed her wrist . “ I’m not hurt . I just had a minor surgery at the hospital , ” he
said .
His warm fingertips absently traced her wrist bone, like a silent apology .
Aria let out a soft sigh and turned away . “ What kind of surgery did you have that you’d keep from me ? ”
She added , “ Fine if you don’t want to tell me .” /
“ Well … I got a vasectomy , ” Owen hesitated before finally admitting .
Aria lifted her gaze in surprise at his answer , studying him for a long moment . “ You … Why the sudden surgery ? ”
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Owen smiled slightly as he explained , “ I’ve wanted to do this for a while . I just had to wait until I wrapped up my current case ?
‘ No wonder he didn’t want to tell me , ‘ Aria thought .
“ Have you thought this through ? ” she asked .
“ Yes , ” Owen gently tweaked her earlobe . “ I never planned on having kids , seriously . ”
Before he met her , he was a confirmed bachelor .
After falling for her , all Owen could think about was treating her right and spending his life with her . Never once did the idea of having kids cross his
mind .
Aria murmured a soft “ Okay , ” her lashes lowering as her gaze flicked
Owen quickly put his hand in front of her eyes . “ Eyes up here , ” he said .
Aria averted her gaze .
ownward involuntarily .
“ As long as I take good care of myself , I’ll bounce back quickly . Plus , there aren’t any side effects to worry about , ” Owen said .
She nodded . “ Then , for now , let’s order food from Amour Bistro . Don’t cook . Did you take some time off work ? ”
Owen nodded . “ Now that the case had wrapped up , I’ve got nothing on my plate . I can take a few days off . ”
Aria said , “ That’s good , then . ”
In late June , filming began for the fifth episode of “ Cozy Screening Room .”
Aria went to Lily’s room and asked , “ We’ll be filming all day . Do you two want to hang out at Owen’s or stay in your room ? ”
AD