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 obsessing over his ex-wife, he thinks there is a child p>
“That’s not my problem.” I say.
“It becomes your problem when he starts interfering with my plans.” Her eyes snapped to mine. “He won’t even look at me anymore. Won’t return my calls. All because he’s convinced himself that you’re somehow the one that got away p>
I laughed bitterly. “He threw me away. There’s a difference p>
“Details.” She waved a hand dismissively. “The point is, you need to tell him to move on. Make it clear there’s nothing left between you p>
“I’ve already told him that p>
“Then tell him again. Make him believe it.” She stepped closer. “Because if you don’t, I’ll make your life very difficult. Starting with that company you’ve built. It would be a shame if certain investors heard about your… unstable personal life p>
“Is that a threat?” I asked arching my brows.
“It’s a promise.” Her smile was smug “Stay away from Damien. Focus on your business. And we’ll all be much happier p>
I wanted to slap her. Wanted to scream. Instead, I smiled coldly.
“I have no interest in Damien Blackwood. He’s your problem now.” I turned toward the private dining room. “Now get out of my celebration before I have security remove you p>
“Aria”
“We’re done here.” I walked away, my heels clicking sharply against the floor.
My assistant appeared at my side. “Is everything okay, Ms. Monroe p>
“Fine.” I forced my voice to stay steady. “Just an uninvited guest leaving p>
Back in the private room, I rejoined the celebration, but my mind was elsewhere. Vivian’s words echoed in my head.
He thinks there’s a child.
How much did Damien know? What had he found?
I pulled out my phone, checking it compulsively. No messages. No calls.
“Ms. Monroe?” One of my team members raised a glass. “Are you feeling alright? You look pale p>
“Just tired.” I manufactured a smile. “It’s been a long week p>
“Why don’t you head home?” My assistant suggested gently. “We can handle things here. You deserve to rest after that win p>
I nodded gratefully. “Thank you. I think I will p>
Twenty minutes later, I was in my car, driving home too fast. My hands gripped the steering wheel so tight my knuckles went white.
I needed to see Noah. Needed to hold him and remember why I’d done all of this.
My phone rang through the car speakers. Olivia.
“Hey,” I answered. “Is everything okay p>
“Noah’s fine. Fast asleep. But are you okay? You sound stressed p>
“Vivian showed up at the restaurant p>
“What?” Olivia’s voice sharpened. “What did she want p>
“To threaten me. To warn me away from Damien.” I took a shaky breath. “She knows he’s been asking questions. About where I was. About whether there’s a child p>
Silence. Then, “How much does he know p>
“I don’t know. But enough to be dangerous.” I turned onto my street. “I’m almost home. I just need to see Noah p>
“He had a great day. We went to the park, had ice cream, watched his favorite movie twice.” Olivia paused. “He asked about his daddy again p>
My chest tightened. “What did you tell him p>
“The same thing you do. That his daddy is working far away, but he loves Noah very much.” Her voice softened. “He’s getting older, Aria. The questions are going to get harder p>
“I know.” I pulled into my driveway. “I’ll figure it out. I always do p>
“You don’t have to do it alone p>
“Yes, I do.” I parked and gathered my things. “Thanks for watching him tonight p>
“Anytime. I’ll stay until you’re inside p>
I unlocked my front door and stepped into the quiet house. Olivia was on the couch, reading.
“He’s been asleep for about an hour,” she said softly, standing. “Went down easy after all that park time p>
“Thank you.” I hugged her quickly. “I don’t know what I’d do without you p>
“You’d manage. You always do.” She squeezed my shoulder. “But I’m glad you don’t have to. Call me tomorrow p>
“I will.” I say smiling.
After Olivia left, I kicked off my heels and walked down the hallway to Noah’s room.
I pushed the door open quietly.
He was sprawled across his bed, his stuffed T-Rex clutched in one arm. His dark curls were messy against the pillow, his face peaceful in sleep.
So beautiful. So perfect.
So much like his father.
I sat on the edge of his bed, brushing hair from his forehead. He stirred slightly, mumbling something in his sleep.
“Mama’s here, baby,” I whispered. “I’m always here p>
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, expecting another message from my team.
Instead, it was from an unknown number.
I saw the photo from tonight. Congratulations on your win. You looked beautiful.
My blood ran cold.
Another message came through: Who was the lady you were arguing with? She looked upset.Don’t tell me that it was Vivan.
Damien. He’d been watching. Or he had someone watching me.
I typed back quickly: Stop having me followed.
The response was immediate: I need to protect you. Marcus is in town.
I don’t need your protection.
You might not want it. But you need it. Marcus is dangerous. He’s threatened you and p>
He didn’t finish the sentence. Didn’t need to.
He meant Noah.
I stared at the phone, my heart racing.
How much do you know? I typed.
The response took longer this time: Enough to know I’ve missed years of my son’s life. Not enough to know his name or see his face.
My hands trembled. I looked at Noah, still sleeping peacefully, unaware of the storm gathering around us.
Leave us alone, Damien. Please.
I can’t. Not anymore.
I turned off my phone and set it on Noah’s dresser.
Tomorrow, I’d deal with Damien. With Vivian. With Marcus and whoever else wanted to destroy what I’d built.
But tonight, I just needed to sit here. To watch my son sleep. To pretend, just for a little while, that we were safe.
One Week Later – Children’s Hospital Charity Gala
I adjusted my emerald evening gown, scanning the ballroom.
I’d tried to decline the invitation. Tried to avoid any event where Damien might appear.
But the hospital had been insistent. Monroe Global was one of their major donors now. My presence was “essential p>
“You look stunning, Ms. Monroe.” Lucas Hayes appeared at my elbow, offering me champagne. “That color suits you p>
“Lucas.” I accepted the glass gratefully. “I didn’t know you’d be here p>
“Major donor.” He smiled. “Same as you. Seems we keep running into each other p>
“Seems so.” I took a sip, watching the crowd.
And there, across the ballroom, stood Damien.
Our eyes met.
He was in a perfectly tailored tuxedo, looking devastatingly handsome and completely miserable.
“He hasn’t stopped staring at you since you arrived,” Lucas murmured. “Should I be jealous p>
“No.” I forced my gaze away from Damien. “He’s just someone I used to know p>
“Someone you used to be married to, you mean p>
I looked at Lucas sharply.
He shrugged. “I did my research before pursuing a business relationship with you. Your past is… well-documented p>
“Then you know why I don’t talk about it.” I say.
“I do.” His expression was understanding. “And I respect that. But Aria, if he’s bothering you p>
“He’s not.” I set down my champagne. “Excuse me. I need to check something p>
I walked quickly toward the restrooms, needing space.
My phone buzzed in my clutch. I pulled it out.
Olivia: Video call? Noah wants to say goodnight.
I glanced around. The hallway outside the ballroom was relatively quiet. I stepped into an alcove and accepted the call.
Noah’s face filled the screen, bright and smiling. “Mama! You look like a princess p>
“Hi, baby.” My chest warmed. “Are you being good for Auntie Olivia p>
“Yes! We made cookies and watched dinosaurs and I drew you a picture!” He held up a crayon drawing. “See? It’s you at work p>
I laughed. “It’s beautiful. I’ll hang it in my office p>
“Mama, is Daddy there?” His voice dropped to a whisper, like he was sharing a secret.
My heart stopped. “What? No, baby. Why would you think that p>
“Because you’re all fancy. Auntie Olivia says people dress fancy for important parties. Is Daddy at the important party p>
“Noah”
“I want to meet Daddy.” His ice-blue eyes so heartbreakingly like Damien’s were serious. “All my friends have daddies. When do I get to meet mine p>
“Soon, baby.” I say. “But not tonight. Tonight Mama has to work p>
“You always have to work.” He pouted. “I miss you p>
“I miss you too.” My voice cracked. “I’ll be home soon. I promise p>
“Okay.” He blew a kiss at the screen. “Love you, Mama p>
“Love you too, my sweet boy p>
The call ended.
I stood there, staring at the blank screen, my heart breaking. The phone felt heavy in my hand. My throat was tight. I blinked hard. I tried to push the tears back.
Noah’s face stayed in my mind. Those eyes. That little mouth asking about his daddy. The question I’d been dreading for months now.
I lowered the phone to my side. My arm felt like it weighed a hundred pounds.