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 82 Aria pov Three Hours Later The penthouse looked like a military operation, security specialists swarmed everywhere, installing additional cameras, reinforcing windows, setting up motion sensors. Noah thought it was the coolest thing ever. He followed the technicians around, asking a million questions, pretending to help install equipment. I
Chapter 81 Aria POV “But he didn’t.” I touched his face, forcing him to focus. His skin was warm under my palm, the stubble on his jaw scratched against my fingertips. “And now he’s apologized and backed off. Let it go p> “I can’t.” His hands gripped my waist. I
Chapter 80 Aria’s POV “NOAH!” I tore through the penthouse, my heart in my throat. “NOAH p> Damien was right behind me, barking orders into his phone. “Lock down the building! Check all exits! Get security footage from the last ten minutes p> I burst into the living room and
Chapter 79 Aria POV They absolutely were, I could feel it. “You’re ridiculous p> “You like it.” His nose traced the shell of my ear. “Admit it. You like morning Damien, he is charming p> “Morning Damien is pushy p> “Pushy, charming.Same thing.” He bit my earlobe again, a little
Chapter 78 Aria pov “That’s all I’m asking.” He pulled me into his arms. His body was solid and warm. I could smell his cologne stronger now, mixed with his natural scent. “A chance, that’s all I need p> We stood there in the middle of his living room, holding
Chapter 77 Aria POV That Evening Noah was finally asleep after three stories and two glasses of water. I closed his door quietly and headed back to the living room where Damien waited. “He’s out,” I reported, collapsing onto the couch beside him. The leather was cool against my bare
Chapter 76 Aria POV “I will.” He picked up his wine glass, the wine swirled dark and red. “Every day until you say yes p> I grabbed my own glass. It was still half full. The wine had warmed to room temperature as I headed for my room. “Goodnight, Damien
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
Chapter 72 Aria’s POV – Next Morning I woke to sunlight streaming through unfamiliar floor-to-ceiling windows and a moment of complete disorientation. This wasn’t my bed, it wasn’t the room I was familiar with. The mattress was too perfect, the view too breathtaking. Then it all came flooding back. Marcus.
Chapter 71 Damien pov My voice went cold. “But a year later, I overheard a phone call. Father was talking to someone about ’medication adjustments’ and ’keeping him sedated.’ I heard him say Marcus’s name p> Aria’s eyes widened. “He was alive p> “Father had him locked away in a