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 ignore him like I ignored you p>
“Something like that p>
“I was an idiot with you.” He set down a toy truck. “Blind, stupid, cruel. But I won’t make that mistake with Noah. He’s innocent. He deserves better p>
“So did I p>
The words hung in the air between us.
“You’re right.” Damien moved closer. “You deserved everything I never gave you. Respect, attention, love. And I’ll spend my life trying to give you all of it now, if you’ll let me p>
“Damien”
“I know you’re not ready to hear this.” He cupped my face. “But I need to say it anyway. I love you, Aria. I think I loved you years ago and was too fucked up to recognize it. And I love you now, even though you hate me. Even though you’ll probably never forgive me p>
My heart hammered against my ribs. “You don’t love me. You love the idea of fixing what you broke p>
“No.” His thumb brushed my cheek. “I love the woman who built an empire from nothing. Who raised our son alone because I was too much of a coward to be there. Who came back to this city not for revenge but to secure her child’s future. I love your strength, your brilliance, your capacity to forgive people who don’t deserve it p>
“I haven’t forgiven you p>
“I know.” He smiled sadly. “But you let me make you pancakes. You let me hold you when you’re scared, you let me be Noah’s father. That’s more than I deserve p>
I should pull away. Should maintain my walls, my distance, my anger.
But I was so tired of being strong. So tired of carrying everything alone.
So I let myself lean into him, just for a moment. Let his arms come around me, solid and warm.
“This doesn’t mean anything,” I whispered against his chest.
“I know.” His lips pressed to my hair. “But I’ll take it anyway p>
We stood there in Noah’s room, surrounded by toys and half-packed suitcases, holding each other like lifelines.
Then my phone rang.
I pulled away, checking the screen. Olivia.
“Hey.” I answered. “What’s up p>
“Have you seen the news?” Her voice was tight with worry.
“No, why p>
“Marcus gave an interview. To every major outlet. Aria, he’s claiming Damien stole his inheritance, ruined his life, destroyed his family p>
My stomach dropped. “What p>
“Turn on the TV. It’s everywhere p>
I grabbed the remote from Noah’s dresser and turned on the small TV he used for cartoons. Flipped to a news channel.
And there he was. Marcus Blackwood, looking polished and sympathetic in an expensive suit, sitting across from a reporter with concern in her eyes.
“My brother took everything from me,” Marcus was saying, his voice rough with manufactured emotion. “My family, my birthright, my future. And when I tried to reconnect, to build a relationship with my nephew, he turned violent p>
“That’s a lie!” I stared at the screen. “He kidnapped Noah p>
“I know.” Damien’s face had gone white. “But he’s spinning it. Making himself the victim p>
“Damien Blackwood is a dangerous man,” Marcus continued on screen. “He’ll do anything to maintain his power. Even hurt his own family. I fear for my nephew’s safety, for his mother’s safety. Someone needs to stop him before”
Damien grabbed the remote and shut it off.
“He’s trying to turn public opinion against you.” I paced the small room. “Make you look like the villain p>
“It’s working.” Damien pulled out his phone, scrolling through what I assumed were news alerts and social media. “Twitter’s blowing up. People are demanding investigations into Blackwood Enterprises. The board is calling emergency meetings p>
“Can they remove you p>
“With enough pressure, yes.” He looked up, his eyes hard. “Marcus is smart. He’s attacking my power base. If I lose the company, I lose my resources. Can’t protect you and Noah the way I need to p>
“So what do we do p>
“We fight back.” He was already typing. “Schedule a press conference, to tell our side of the story, the full story p>
“Marcus has evidence. Photos, recordings from those bugs he planted. He’ll twist everything we say p>
“Then we give them something he can’t twist.” Damien grabbed my hand. “We tell the truth. We air every piece of dirty laundry p>
“Are you insane? That will destroy your reputation p>
“I don’t care.” His grip tightened. “I care about keeping you and Noah safe. If sacrificing my reputation does that, then that’s what I’ll do p>
I stared at him. At the man who years ago cared about nothing but his image, his power, his control.
He really had changed.
“Okay.” I squeezed his hand. “We do it your way. But Damien—once we tell that story, there’s no taking it back. Everyone will know everything, including your family dirty history p>
“Good.” He pulled me close. “Let them know. Let them see how toxic my family was. Maybe it’ll help someone else avoid my mistakes p>
“Or maybe it’ll give Marcus more ammunition p>
“Then we’ll deal with that too.” He kissed my forehead. “Together p>
Before I could respond, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and his jaw tightened.
“It’s the board chair.” He answered. “Damien Blackwood p>
I couldn’t hear the other side, but I watched his expression grow darker.
“I understand,” he said finally. “I’ll be there in an hour p>
He hung up and looked at me. “Emergency board meeting. They’re voting on my removal as CEO p>
“They can’t”
“They can. And will, if I don’t stop them.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Aria, I need to go. But I’ll send extra security with you. Don’t leave the penthouse until I’m back p>
“Go.” I pushed him toward the door. “Fight for your company. I’ll finish packing and get back to Noah p>
He hesitated, like he wanted to say more. Then he just nodded and left. I heard the front door close, and heard his car start up. And I was alone in my house, surrounded by reminders of the life I’d built without him.
Two Hours Later
I was finishing up Noah’s suitcase when I heard the front door open.
“That was fast,” I called out, assuming it was Damien. “How was the meeting p>