Chapter 124
Aria’s POV
“Then there should be evidence of that,” I spoke up, my voice cold. “Medical examination found no such evidence. No consensual activity occurred. Because Damien was unconscious, unable to consent to anything p>
Officer Reyes nodded slowly. “The DA is reviewing the case now. Given the evidence, we’re moving forward with charges: assault, administering drugs without consent, and attempted blackmail p>
“What about conspiracy?” Margaret asked. “My client has reason to believe Ms. Clarke didn’t act alone p>
“We’re investigating.” Officer Reyes looked at me. “Ms. Monroe, you mentioned your sister Vivian might be involved p>
“They’ve been in contact.” I pulled up more screenshots. “Social media shows they’ve been meeting, messaging. And Vivian has a motive—she blames me for her social exile, for her failed life, for everything wrong in her life p>
“We’ll look into it.” Officer Reyes closed her notebook. “For now, Ms. Clarke is being held pending arraignment. If we find evidence of conspiracy, we’ll pursue additional charges p>
“Thank you.” Margaret stood, and I followed suit.
Outside the station, I finally let myself breathe.
“You did well in there,” Margaret said. “Most women in your position would have reacted emotionally, made assumptions. You stayed rational p>
“I learned the hard way what assumptions cost.” I unlocked my car. “This time, I chose differently p>
“Good.” She squeezed my shoulder. “Now go be with your fiancé. He needs you p>
Back at the hospital, I found Damien’s room full of people. His assistant, his head of security, and Lucas Hayes, of all people.
“Aria.” Lucas stood immediately. “I came as soon as I heard, is he”
“He’s fine.” I moved to Damien’s bedside. He was awake, looking better but still pale. “What are you doing here, Lucas p>
“I wanted to make sure you were both okay.” His eyes were genuine. “And to offer Hayes Tech’s security resources. If Sophia and Vivian conspired, you need better protection p>
“We appreciate that,” Damien said quietly. His eyes found mine. “But right now, I just need my family safe p>
“Understood.” Lucas nodded to both of us. “Call if you need anything, I mean that p>
After he left, Damien’s security chief, Richards, briefed us on the situation.
“The photos Sophia took went to six media outlets,” Richards said grimly. “Four of them published before the police statement went out clarifying Mr. Blackwood was drugged and assaulted. The damage control team is working overtime p>
“Let them publish,” Damien said tiredly. “The truth will come out p>
“It already is.” Richards showed us his tablet. “Social media is rallying behind you. Once people learned you were drugged, public opinion shifted hard. Sophia Clarke is being eviscerated online p>
I scanned the headlines:
“CEO Damien Blackwood Drugged and Assaulted: Ex-Fling Arrested”
“Frame Job Exposed: Sophia Clarke Staged Photos of Unconscious Blackwood”
“Aria Monroe Stands By Fiancé: ’I Know the Man He Is Now p>
That last one included a photo of me entering the hospital, my expression fierce and protective.
“The board is calling for a statement,” Richards continued. “They want assurance this won’t impact the merger or company reputation p>
“Tell them the merger is proceeding as planned,” I said firmly. “And that anyone who has a problem with how we handled this can take it up with me directly p>
Damien’s eyes widened slightly. “Aria”
“No.” I cut him off. “We’re partners. Equal partners and I’m not letting them question your competence because you were a victim of assault. That’s not how this works p>
Richards actually smiled. “I’ll convey that message, Ms. Monroe. Diplomatically p>
“Don’t be too diplomatic,” I said. “Let them know we’re united. Completely p>
After everyone left, Damien and I were finally alone. He reached for my hand.
“I keep thinking about what could have happened,” he said quietly. “If you hadn’t come. If you’d assumed the worst like—like you had every right to based on our history p>
“But I didn’t.” I sat on the edge of his bed again. “Because I’ve watched you, Damien. For months now. I’ve seen how you are with Noah, how you’ve been with me. Patient. Devoted. Honest. That man doesn’t throw everything away for Sophia Clarke in a hotel room p>
“You sound so sure p>
“I am sure.” I touched his face. “I know you now, really know you. And I trust you p>
“Even after”
“Especially after.” I cut him off. “Because this” I gestured at the hospital room, at everything that happened, “this was a test. Not one we asked for, but a test anyway. And we passed. Because when it mattered, I chose to believe you instead of my fear p>
“That’s” His voice cracked. “That’s more than I deserve p>
“Stop saying that.” I leaned closer. “You deserve someone who sees you, who knows you. Who chooses you even when it’s hard. And Damien, I’m choosing you. Every day. Even on days like this p>
He pulled me down into a gentle kiss, his lips soft against mine. When we broke apart, his eyes were wet. “I love you,” he whispered. “God, Aria, I love you so much it terrifies me p>
“Good.” I smiled against his lips. “Because I love you too. And we’re in this together. Whatever comes next p>
“Whatever comes next,” he echoed.
My phone buzzed with a message from Olivia. “Saw the news. Are you okay? Is Damien okay? Do I need to come over there and castrate Sophia Clarke p>
I laughed, showing Damien the message.”Tell her I appreciate the offer but legal castration will suffice,” he said dryly.
“We’re fine. He’s okay. And yes, legal castration is in progress p>
“Good. Also—I’m proud of you, for trusting him, for standing by him. That took guts p>
“Thanks, Liv. Love you p>
“Love you too. Now go cuddle your drugged CEO and make sure he knows he’s loved p>
“Olivia says I should cuddle you,” I told Damien.
“Olivia is wise.” He shifted over carefully, making room. “Get up here p>
“You’re in a hospital bed recovering from being drugged p>
“And I want my fiancée next to me.” His eyes were pleading. “Please, Aria. I need—I need to feel you close. To know this is real. That you’re really here p>
I couldn’t resist those eyes. I climbed carefully onto the narrow bed, curling against his side with my head on his chest. His arm wrapped around me, holding me tight.
“Better?” I asked.
“So much better.” He kissed the top of my head. “This. This is what I want. Just you and me and Noah, being a family. No drama, no enemies, just” His voice broke. “Just peace p>
“We’ll get there,” I promised. “We just have to get through this first p>
“Together?” he asked quietly.
“Together,” I confirmed.
We lay there in comfortable silence, his heartbeat steady beneath my ear. The room had grown darker as the sun set, orange light filtering through the blinds and casting stripes across the white sheets. I could feel the heat of Damien’s body through the thin hospital gown, smell the mix of antiseptic and his skin—clean and male and familiar.
His fingers traced patterns on my arm, slow circles that raised goosebumps. The touch was innocent at first, but then his hand moved lower, gripping my hip through my skirt. I felt his breathing change, no longer the deep, drowsy breaths of someone falling asleep.
“Damien,” I murmured, not moving.
“Mmm?” His voice was rougher now.