Chapter 99 Aria pov “I know p> “Do you believe me p> I considered the question. My fingers curled against my palm. I watched a plane move across the night sky, its lights blinking red. “I’m starting to,” I admitted finally. “Which terrifies me p> “Why p> “Because believing in
Chapter 98 Aria pov “I did.” He leaned closer, his breath warm against my lips. “I deserved every second of it. Just like I deserved last night, when you slammed that door in my face. But Aria—” His voice dropped lower. “If we’re going to torture each other, at least
Chapter 97 Aria pov I left before he could respond, before the tears could fall, before I admitted that yes, I had enjoyed it. Enjoyed making him want me. Enjoyed the power of knowing I could still affect him that way. But I was also terrified. Because if I could
Chapter 96 Aria’s POV – The Next Morning “I know I don’t have to.” I dried my hands, positioning myself at the counter. “But watching you butcher the recipes is painful p> I picked up a samosa wrapper, filled it with the meat mixture, and began folding with practiced ease.
Chapter 95 Aria pov He pulled back suddenly, and the loss of his warmth made me whimper. His eyes were dark, pupils blown wide with desire, chest heaving. “Go to bed, Aria.” His voice was strained, rough. I blinked, confused, my body still thrumming with need. “What p> “Go.” He
Chapter 94 Aria pov By the time dessert arrived, I could barely focus on the conversation. The chocolate cake sat untouched on my plate—dark and dense, the smell of it mixing with coffee and perfume made my head swim. “You want to leave, don’t you?” Lucas said suddenly, his voice
Chapter 93 Aria pov A few days later i stood in front of my closet, staring at the emerald green gown I’d bought specifically for tonight. The silk was cool under my fingertips when I touched it, it was stunning and elegant and showed just enough skin to be interesting
Chapter 92 Aria pov Noah bounced into the living room wearing his dinosaur pajamas, his hair still damp from his bath. Water droplets clung to the ends, leaving dark spots on his collar. He smelled like vanilla bubble bath and toothpaste. “Mama! Daddy says we can have ice cream!” He
Chapter 91 Aria’s POV – Three Days Later I was reviewing acquisition reports when my assistant buzzed through. “Ms. Monroe? Lucas Hayes is here to see you.” Her voice held a knowing edge. “He has flowers p> My fingers stopped on the keyboard. I stared at the screen without seeing
Chapter 90 Back at the Penthouse- Damien pov I walked in carrying a bag from Noah’s favorite ice cream shop, finding Aria on the couch, her laptop open, the security footage paused on screen. She’d watched it. Multiple times, judging by the replay count. “Hey.” I set down my briefcase
Chapter 89 Damien Pov I sat in my office, watching the sun set, making calls to set everything in motion. Additional security teams positioned around the penthouse. Background checks on every staff member who’d had access to the building this week. A private investigator to tail Vivian and document everyone
Chapter 88 Damien’s POV – Next Day I was in the middle of reviewing quarterly reports when my assistant buzzed through. “Mr. Blackwood? There’s Vivian Monroe here to see you.” Jessica’s voice was carefully neutral. “She doesn’t have an appointment p> My jaw clenched. “Tell her I’m busy p> “I
Chapter 87 Aria POV “And now you think you’ve won everything.” Vivian’s smile turned vicious. “The company, the revenge, even Damien. But you haven’t won, Aria. Not yet p> “What’s that supposed to mean p> “It means you’re not the only one who can play games.” She headed for the
Chapter 86 Aria’s POV Damien threw his body over mine, pushing me behind a pillar. Guards tackled other people to the ground. Vivian dove through the doors just as the package exploded. Not a big explosion. More like a loud pop and a burst of red powder. We all stood
Chapter 85 Aria pov “Can we sit?” She gestured to the chairs. “I’d rather stand p> She flinched but nodded. “I deserve that. In fact, I deserve a lot worse, actually p> “Yes, you do p> “Aria, I came to apologize.” She twisted her hands together. “For everything. For what
Chapter 84 Aria’s POV “The past where you threw me out while pregnant?” I kept my voice low level. “Or the past where you chose Vivian over me? Which part should I forget p> “I know we made mistakes” “Mistakes.” I laughed bitterly. “Is that what we’re calling it now
Chapter 83 Aria pov “Then let me prove it.” He stepped closer. I could see the stubble on his jaw, darker now in the evening light. “Every day, for however long it takes. Let me prove I’m not going anywhere p> “And if you can’t? If one day you wake
Chapter 75 Aria’s POV – That Evening He smirked behind his coffee mug. “I only speak the truth p> “Uh huh.” I tickled Noah until he squealed. “And what else does Daddy say p> “That you’re beautiful when you smile.” Noah giggled, wriggling away. “And that he’s lucky you don’t
Chapter 74 Aria POV I stepped into the hallway and froze. It wasn’t Damien. Instead, Lucas Hayes stood in my entryway, holding a bouquet of flowers, his warm smile in place. “Lucas?” I moved toward the stairs but didn’t descend. “What are you doing here p> “I saw the news.”
Chapter 73 Aria pov I watched him gather Noah’s things with surprising gentleness. This man who commanded boardrooms and destroyed competitors was carefully packing a toddler’s favorite toys. “You’re good with him.” The words slipped out. “Better than I expected p> “What did you expect?” He looked up. “That I’d