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 and held up the bag. “I brought the contraband p>
“Shh.” She glanced toward the hallway where Noah’s room was. “He finally went to sleep twenty minutes ago. If he smells that ice cream, we’ll never get him back down p>
“Then I guess we’ll have to eat it ourselves.” I moved to the kitchen, putting the container in the freezer. “Save it for tomorrow p>
When I returned, Aria was still staring at the laptop screen.
“Where’s Noah?” I asked, though she’d already answered.
“Asleep.” She didn’t look up. “I’ve watched this seven times p>
“The security footage from today?” I sat beside her, recognizing the angle from my office building’s cameras.
“And p>
“And I hate her.” She finally met my eyes. “I hate how she touched you, how she assumed she could just” Her voice broke. “How she thought you’d want her p>
I knelt in front of her, taking the laptop and setting it aside. “I don’t want her. I never really did p>
“Then why” She couldn’t finish.
“Why did I let her manipulate me years ago?” I took her hands. “Why did I make out with her at our wedding reception? Because I was broken, because I believed her lies, because I didn’t think I could feel anything real. Because I was angry at myself for having feelings for you, and I wanted to punish both of us p>
“From what p>
“From you.” The admission hurt. “From feeling things for you that terrified me, from wanting things I didn’t think I deserved. I squeezed her hands. “You made me feel things, Aria. Even back then, when I was too stupid to recognize it. And it scared the hell out of me p>
“So you pushed me away p>
“So I pushed me away.” I brought her hands to my lips. “And it’s the biggest regret of my life. But I’m not that man anymore. I’m not scared anymore p>
“What changed p>
“I lost you. And losing you broke something in me, made me realize that being scared of feelings is nothing compared to the pain of living without them p>
She pulled one hand free and touched my face. “You really meant it? What you said to her in your office about loving me p>
“Every word.” I leaned into her touch. “I love you, Aria. I love your strength, your intelligence, your capacity for forgiveness even when I don’t deserve it. I love watching you with Noah. I love how you challenge me, push me, make me want to be better p>
“I don’t forgive you yet,” she whispered. “Not completely p>
“I know.” I kissed her palm. “But you’re getting closer, i can feel it p>
“You’re very confident p>
“I’m very determined.” I stood, pulling her up with me. “Come here p>
I led her to the window, to the view of the city lights spread out below us.
“See all of that?” I wrapped my arms around her from behind. “Few years ago, that’s all I cared about. Power, success, conquest. I looked at this view and felt… nothing p>
“And now p>
“Now I look at this view and think about sharing it with you. About Noah growing up in this city. About building a life that matters—not because of money or status, but because of the people in it p>
She leaned back against me. “You’ve changed p>
“You changed me.” I pressed a kiss to her temple. “You and Noah. You showed me what actually matters p>
We stood there in silence, watching the city breathe below us.
“Vivian hired a private investigator,” I said finally. “To dig into your past, she is trying to find anything she can use against you p>
Aria tensed. “Will she find anything p>
“No. But she might manufacture something.” I turned her to face me. “We need to be prepared for whatever she throws at us p>
“I’m tired of fighting my family p>
“I know.” I pulled her close. “But we’ll fight together. Whatever comes, we face it together p>
“Together,” she echoed.
My phone buzzed when a text from James.
Vivian met with someone at a café downtown. Couldn’t get a clear photo but the body language suggests she knows them well. Still tracking be careful.
I showed Aria the message.
“She’s going to escalate,” Aria said quietly.
“Let her try.” I pocketed my phone. “She can’t hurt us not while we’re together p>
“You’re very optimistic p>
“I’m very in love.” I cupped her face. “And when you love someone, you believe in impossible things. Like second chances. Like redemption, like us p>
“Damien”
I kissed her softly. When I pulled back, her eyes were shining.
“I’m falling for you,” she whispered. “And it terrifies me p>
“Good.” I kissed her again. “Because I’m already fallen. And I’ll catch you when you finally let go p>
“That’s very presumptuous p>
“That’s very true.” I smiled against her lips. “Now come to bed. Just sleeping,” I added quickly. “I just want to hold you p>
“Okay.” She took my hand. “Just sleeping p>
We went to my room, climbed under the covers, and tangled together in the darkness. “Damien?” Her voice was soft.
“Yeah p>
“Thank you, for choosing me and for meaning it p>
“Always.” I kissed her hair. “I’ll always choose you, Aria. Even when it’s hard. Even when it costs me. It’ll always be you p>
She fell asleep in my arms, her breathing evening out, her body relaxing against mine. And I lay there, watching her sleep, making silent promises.
I’d protect her. From Vivian, from Marcus, from anyone who tried to hurt her. I’d love her. Even if she never fully forgave me, even if it took years, even if it killed me.
And I’d prove it. Every single day. Until she believed it in her bones. Because Aria Monroe was my second chance at life and I wasn’t about to waste it.