Chapter 139 Aria pov “Come with me.” Damien helped me stand. “I’ll drive carefully. We’ll be back before the doctors even notice you’re gone p> “That’s a terrible idea,” I said. “And yet you’re already putting on your shoes,” he observed with a smile. “Fine.” I grabbed my jacket. “But
Chapter 138 Damien pov “We do,” I agreed. “And Aria? I know you don’t have to say it back and that’s okay. I don’t need you to say it until you’re ready” “Damien.” She cut me off. “In that warehouse, when Marcus had the gun to my head, you know
Chapter 137 Aria’s POV “You know what’s funny?” Marcus kept the gun trained on me but didn’t pull the trigger. “You should have stayed away from Damien, after he treated you like trash yet you still went back to him, what a fool you are p> “He was wrong,” I
Chapter 136 Aria pov “Non-negotiable,” he said, echoing my words. “You want partnership? This is a partnership. You don’t get to protect me by keeping me away p> I studied his face—the determination, the fear, the absolute refusal to back down. “Okay,” I said softly. “Together p> “Together,” he agreed.
Chapter 135 Aria’s POV But as Noah ran over to show me his LEGO spaceship, chattering excitedly about family dinner and could we invite Richards because he was nice, I pushed aside the fear as my phone buzzed one more time. Margaret. “Vivian turned herself in. The DA accepted the
Chapter 134 Aria pov “Please!” She fell to her knees. “Please, I’m begging you. I know I don’t deserve mercy. I know I’ve done terrible things. But Aria” Her voice cracked. “You’re my sister, my only sister. Please don’t let them send me to prison p> I looked down at
Chapter 133 Aria pov And Olivia’s: Forgiveness is for you, not her. And Damien’s: You’re better than the revenge game. “Damn it,” I muttered. Before I could second-guess myself, I replied to Margaret. Don’t take any additional action. I’ll handle this personally. —Aria Then I did something either incredibly brave
Chapter 132 Aria’s POV – Few Days Later “Mama, did Aunt Vivian ever say sorry p> Noah’s question came out of nowhere during breakfast, his spoon paused halfway to his mouth, milk dripping back into his cereal bowl. I exchanged a glance with Damien, who’d frozen mid-sip of his coffee.
Chapter 131 Aria pov His voice was gentle. “You’re supposed to remember who you are. The woman who built an empire to provide for her son. Who faced down enemies with grace and strategy instead of cruelty. Who taught me that revenge isn’t the same as justice. That woman, He
Chapter 130 Aria’s POV – One Week After Sentencing Revenge, I’d learned, was most effective when served systematically. “The paper trail is extensive,” Margaret said, spreading documents across my office conference table. “Vivian and Sophia were in contact for months before the hotel incident. Dozens of calls, text messages, meetings
Chapter 129 Aria pov “I feel relieved,” Damien said. “Relieved that the truth came out, that justice was done, and that my family can move forward safely p> “Are you two officially back together p> “We’re partners,” I said, squeezing Damien’s hand. “In business, in parenting, and yes—in life. What
Chapter 128 Aria’s POV – Weeks Later The courthouse was packed. Media, spectators, Sophia’s family—all crammed into the gallery to watch the trial of the year. “State versus Sophia Clarke” was front-page news. Not just because of the assault charges, but because of who was involved. Two of the city’s
Chapter 127 Aria pov “Aria” “Damien, I watched you get drugged and staged for photos, I’m not leaving this hospital until you do. End of discussion p> He smiled slightly. “You’re very stubborn p> “You’re just noticing this now?” I raised an eyebrow. “I built a company from nothing while
Chapter 126 Aria’s POV He pulled me against his chest, still breathing hard, but I felt the exact moment the medications began to win. His grip loosened slightly, his breathing deepened. ’Fuck,’ he mumbled, fighting it. ’The meds p> ’It’s okay,’ I whispered. ’Sleep p> His hand found mine, lacing
Chapter 125 Aria pov I shifted slightly against him and felt it—the unmistakable hardness pressing against my thigh through the hospital gown. Heat flooded through me, pooling low in my belly. “Seriously, Damien?” I lifted my head to look at him, trying to sound stern. “You’re supposed to be sick
Chapter 124 Aria’s POV “Then there should be evidence of that,” I spoke up, my voice cold. “Medical examination found no such evidence. No consensual activity occurred. Because Damien was unconscious, unable to consent to anything p> Officer Reyes nodded slowly. “The DA is reviewing the case now. Given the
Chapter 123 Vivan pov I went back to my room and pulled out my secret burner phone—the one the facility didn’t know about and started making calls. If Sophia talked, I needed an alibi. I needed proof I was too unstable, too medicated, too out of it to have planned
Chapter 122 Aria’s POV A few days after the gala, I was drowning in merger paperwork when my phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number. “Thought you should know—your ’changed man’ is at the Riverside Hotel. Room 1247. With a blonde, some things never change p> My blood
Chapter 121 Aria pov “You are terrified.” Olivia nodded. “I get it. But Aria, you can’t live in fear forever. At some point, you have to decide whether you’re going to let the past control your future or whether you’re going to be brave enough to risk your heart again
Chapter 120 Damien pov I twisted the shower handle to scalding. Steam billowed up instantly, thick and hot, fogging the glass. I stripped out of the tuxedo in rough, impatient movements—jacket, shirt, belt, pants, boxers—all hitting the marble floor in a careless heap. My cock sprang free, heavy and flushed