Chapter 32 “Did you kill the story?” Her voice cut through my explanation before I could start. “Yes or no p> “I’m working on it,” I said, pulling out my phone to show her Thompson’s texts. “My lawyer is handling” “That’s not good enough.” She grabbed my arm, her fingers
Chapter 31 Damien pov I sat in the car for a moment, my hands shaking against the steering wheel, my brother’s voice still echoing in my ears with all its pain and promise of destruction. Marcus was finally back after fifteen years in exile, and he’d been watching Noah. Building
Chapter 30 Damien POV The city blurred past my windows as I drove through red lights and broke every speed limit I’d ever pretended to respect. My lawyer answered on the second ring, his voice carrying that careful, measured tone he always used when he knew I was about to
Chapter 29 Aria pov “Like you,” a small smile crossed Damien’s face. “You were always asking questions p> “Don’t,” I stepped back. “Don’t act like you know me. You never bothered to try p> “I know,” his smile faded immediately. “That’s my biggest regret. I had you in my life
Chapter 28 Aria POV He was already there when I arrived, leaning against the wall outside my office building in his dark suit with his hands in his pockets, looking like he’d been waiting for hours. It was 1:30 PM. Our meeting wasn’t until two. I considered turning around, getting
Chapter 27 Aria POV The last place I wanted to be on a Thursday morning was Sunshine Preschool’s Mother and Child Day. I adjusted my sunglasses and checked my watch. Olivia had insisted I attend. “Noah deserves this,” she’d said over coffee yesterday. “Every other kid will have their mom
Chapter 26 Vivan POV She looked so happy, but how dare she be happy. And Damien… he’d been different too, until I’d gotten in his head, fed him doubts, made him question everything. Stop it, I told myself. Stop rewriting history. But I couldn’t shake the feeling, the nagging doubt
Chapter 25 Vivian POV The penthouse suite overlooked the city with floor-to-ceiling windows and marble floors—everything money could buy. Everything that should have been mine. I stood at the window with a glass of wine in my hand—red, expensive, the same color as the rage burning through my veins. My
Chapter 24 Aria POV “Am I?” I leaned my head against the window. “Because it doesn’t feel like it p> “You stood up to your parents. You’re protecting your son. You’re running a successful company.” She glanced at me. “Sounds like handling it to me p> “I don’t feel successful.”
Chapter 23 Aria POV The restaurant was called Celestine—all white tablecloths and crystal chandeliers, the kind of place where people came to be seen. I hadn’t wanted to be seen today. Olivia sat across from me, her auburn curls pulled back in a neat bun as she stabbed at her
Chapter 22 Damien pov They removed me anyway, their grips firm but not rough on my arms. Day six, I tried a different approach—waiting in the parking garage until I saw her car pull in. A sleek black Mercedes. She’d done well for herself. I approached before she could get
Chapter 21 Damien POV The elevator doors slid open on the fifty-seventh floor of Blackwood Tower, and I stepped out to find my assistant looking up from her desk, her eyes widening in surprise. “Mr. Blackwood, I wasn’t expecting—” She half-rose from her chair. “Clear my schedule for the day.”
Chapter 20 Aria POV The bathroom door was still open behind me, and the light was too bright, hurting my eyes as I caught sight of myself in the mirror across from where I stood. My reflection stared back at me—someone who pretended to have it all together but looked
Chapter 19 Aria POV I stared at my sister across the restaurant entrance, every muscle in my body tensed. “What do you want, Vivian?” I kept my voice low and controlled. She examined her manicured nails. “I’m here because of Damien. It’s pathetic, really. The great Damien Blackwood, reduced to
Chapter 18 Damien POV The whiskey tasted terrible. I stared at the contract documents spread across my desk. The Riverside Project. Lost to Aria Monroe. Lost to my wife. Ex-wife, I corrected myself. “Mr. Blackwood?” My assistant’s voice came through the intercom. “The board is waiting for your call p>
Chapter 17 Aria POV The glass doors of Ravenwood’s City Development Board gleamed in the morning sun. I adjusted my blazer, smoothing the burgundy fabric. Behind me, my assistant carried the presentation materials, her expression calm and professional. “Ready, Ms. Monroe?” she asked. “Always.” I stepped inside, my heels clicking
Chapter 16 Aria pov The morning sun felt too bright and cheerful for the knot of anxiety in my stomach. “Come on, Mama!” Noah tugged at my hand, pulling me toward the playground entrance. “I want to swing p> “Okay, okay.” I laughed despite my nerves, letting him drag me
Chapter 15 Aria pov The late afternoon sun streamed through the tall windows of Silver Springs Elite Academy as I waited in the parent pickup line. Other mothers chatted around me, designer bags and perfect highlights, discussing vacation homes and charity galas. I smiled politely when necessary, but kept my
Chapter 14 Damien POV The whiskey burned going down, but not enough to numb the ache in my chest. I stared at my phone screen, at the message I’d sent hours ago. Still no response. Just those three devastating words she’d typed earlier: You have nothing. My hand tightened around
Chapter 13 Aria POV “Fine.” I wiped at my eyes, angry at the tears that had escaped. “I’m fine p> But I wasn’t. Seeing Damien had cracked something open inside me. Something I’d sealed shut four years ago. And Lucas—kind, respectful Lucas—had reminded me what it felt like to be