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
Chapter 119 Aria pov “Say my name again,” he ordered, voice low and dangerous. His hands framed my face, thumbs brushing my cheekbones with surprising gentleness before his mouth crashed down on mine. The kiss was raw, consuming—teeth and tongue and desperation. He swept inside my mouth like he owned
Chapter 118 Aria pov Applause filled the ballroom as cameras flashed. I felt Damien’s thumb stroke across my knuckles, hidden behind the podium. As we stepped down from the stage, people surrounded us immediately. Questions flew from all directions. “Ms. Monroe, how will this affect Monroe Global’s international operations p>
Chapter 117 Aria pov “Go talk to her,” I said firmly. “Before someone else does p> “You’re right.” He straightened his tie, suddenly looking less like a confident CEO and more like a nervous man about to approach a woman he actually liked. “Wish me luck p> “You don’t need
Chapter 116 Aria’s POV “It’s a statement.” Damien’s voice came from the doorway. He was already dressed in a perfectly tailored tuxedo that made my mouth go dry. “And you need to make one p> I turned away from how good he looked. “I’m announcing a corporate merger, not walking
Chapter 115 Aria pov I watched him work, efficiently coordinating lawyers, accountants, PR teams. This was the Damien Blackwood the business world knew: decisive, strategic, utterly in control. But when he glanced at me, softness crept into his eyes. The Damien only I and Noah saw. My phone buzzed, it
Chapter 114 Aria’s POV Morning light streamed through the penthouse windows as I nursed my coffee, watching Noah build an elaborate dinosaur fortress with his toys. Damien sat across from me at the breakfast table, his laptop open, jaw tight with tension. “What’s wrong?” I asked. He turned the screen
Chapter 113 Damien pov “After months.” Aria’s laugh was bitter. “It took you months to question whether your wife was a lying manipulator p> “I hired investigators.” I continued. “They found the audio engineer Vivian had paid to fake your voice, found the bank records showing payments to witnesses who
Chapter 112 Aria pov “I know.” Vivian sank into the chair. “I know. That’s why I’m here. Because Marcus—he showed me his plans yesterday. And I realized” Her voice broke. “I realized I’d gone too far. That revenge wasn’t worth” She looked up. “He’s going to blow up the engagement
Chapter 111 Aria’s POV – Three Days Later I needed coffee. Real coffee. Not the fancy espresso machine stuff Damien had in the penthouse. I needed my old café—the one near Monroe Global’s offices where I used to hide when the world got too loud. “Are you sure about this?”