Chapter 110 Aria pov “By hiding?” I moved closer. “Damien, if I don’t show up, I lose everything. The Singapore deal, investor confidence, maybe the whole company. And for what? To sit here and watch Noah cry because he misses his friends p> “For safety” “There is no safety!” My
Chapter 109 Aria’s POV Portland smelled different. Cleaner with pine trees and rain instead of exhaust and concrete. The safe house sat on ten acres outside the city—a modern glass and wood structure hidden behind tall fir trees. Security cameras dotted the property, their red lights blinking in the early
Chapter 108 Aria’s point of view “I know, sweetheart. I know,” Olivia said through the phone, her voice crackling slightly. “But listen to me. You’re doing the right thing. You’re protecting Noah, That’s what matters p> I pressed the phone harder against my ear. My other hand gripped the edge
Chapter 107 Aria pov “Subtle?” He laughed. “You practically threw them at each other p> “And it worked.” I turned in his arms, looking up at him. “They’re perfect for each other. She needs someone kind and he needs someone who sees him for who he really is. Not just
Chapter 106 Aria pov I smiled, the muscles in my face felt tight as the camera clicked. “One more—now everyone look at Noah p> We looked down. Noah beamed up at us, missing his two front teeth. Pure joy on his chocolate-smeared face. Click. “Perfect,” Olivia said softly. Lucas appeared
Chapter 105 Aria’s POV The penthouse looked like a dinosaur had exploded inside it. Green and orange streamers hung from every surface I could reach. Balloon dinosaurs bobbed against the ceiling, their strings tangling together. The “Dinosaurs with Volcanoes” banner stretched across the main living area, slightly crooked because Damien
Chapter 104 Aria pov I nodded, not trusting my voice. He pulled it up slowly. The fabric dragged across my skin, catching on my breasts. Cool air hit my overheated body. I wasn’t wearing a bra—I’d taken it off earlier. His eyes went dark when he realized. “Beautiful.” He leaned
Chapter 103 Aria’s POV I’d just tucked Noah into bed when Damien appeared in the doorway. “Can we talk?” He looked nervous. “About the party p> “Sure.” I followed him to the living room. “What about it p> He pulled out a notebook—actual paper, covered in his neat handwriting. “I
Chapter 102 Aria pov “Shut up.” But my fingers hovered over the screen. I read his message again. Then saved it to my favorites folder before I could stop myself. “You saved it.” Olivia’s voice was smug. “You’re so gone for him p> “I am not” “You are.” She poked
Chapter 101 Aria Pov “He was I trailed off, remembering. “His stamina is on a whole new level sometimes p> Olivia fanned herself dramatically. “Oh my god. DETAILS p> “No!” I laughed, covering my face. “Absolutely not p> “Come on! Throw me a bone here, best friend privileges p> “Fine.”
Chapter 100 Aria’s POV – Days Later “Absolutely not p> Damien looked up from his tablet, confusion crossing his face. “What’s absolutely not p> “That.” I pointed at the screen showing a full-sized animatronic T-Rex. “You’re not buying our son a twelve-foot dinosaur that costs more than a car p>
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