Chapter 119 Aria pov “Say my name again,” he ordered, voice low and dangerous. His hands framed my face, thumbs brushing my cheekbones with surprising gentleness before his mouth crashed down on mine. The kiss was raw, consuming—teeth and tongue and desperation. He swept inside my mouth like he owned
Chapter 118 Aria pov Applause filled the ballroom as cameras flashed. I felt Damien’s thumb stroke across my knuckles, hidden behind the podium. As we stepped down from the stage, people surrounded us immediately. Questions flew from all directions. “Ms. Monroe, how will this affect Monroe Global’s international operations p>
Chapter 117 Aria pov “Go talk to her,” I said firmly. “Before someone else does p> “You’re right.” He straightened his tie, suddenly looking less like a confident CEO and more like a nervous man about to approach a woman he actually liked. “Wish me luck p> “You don’t need
Chapter 116 Aria’s POV “It’s a statement.” Damien’s voice came from the doorway. He was already dressed in a perfectly tailored tuxedo that made my mouth go dry. “And you need to make one p> I turned away from how good he looked. “I’m announcing a corporate merger, not walking
Chapter 115 Aria pov I watched him work, efficiently coordinating lawyers, accountants, PR teams. This was the Damien Blackwood the business world knew: decisive, strategic, utterly in control. But when he glanced at me, softness crept into his eyes. The Damien only I and Noah saw. My phone buzzed, it
Chapter 114 Aria’s POV Morning light streamed through the penthouse windows as I nursed my coffee, watching Noah build an elaborate dinosaur fortress with his toys. Damien sat across from me at the breakfast table, his laptop open, jaw tight with tension. “What’s wrong?” I asked. He turned the screen
Chapter 113 Damien pov “After months.” Aria’s laugh was bitter. “It took you months to question whether your wife was a lying manipulator p> “I hired investigators.” I continued. “They found the audio engineer Vivian had paid to fake your voice, found the bank records showing payments to witnesses who
Chapter 112 Aria pov “I know.” Vivian sank into the chair. “I know. That’s why I’m here. Because Marcus—he showed me his plans yesterday. And I realized” Her voice broke. “I realized I’d gone too far. That revenge wasn’t worth” She looked up. “He’s going to blow up the engagement
Chapter 111 Aria’s POV – Three Days Later I needed coffee. Real coffee. Not the fancy espresso machine stuff Damien had in the penthouse. I needed my old café—the one near Monroe Global’s offices where I used to hide when the world got too loud. “Are you sure about this?”
Chapter 110 Aria pov “By hiding?” I moved closer. “Damien, if I don’t show up, I lose everything. The Singapore deal, investor confidence, maybe the whole company. And for what? To sit here and watch Noah cry because he misses his friends p> “For safety” “There is no safety!” My
Chapter 109 Aria’s POV Portland smelled different. Cleaner with pine trees and rain instead of exhaust and concrete. The safe house sat on ten acres outside the city—a modern glass and wood structure hidden behind tall fir trees. Security cameras dotted the property, their red lights blinking in the early
Chapter 108 Aria’s point of view “I know, sweetheart. I know,” Olivia said through the phone, her voice crackling slightly. “But listen to me. You’re doing the right thing. You’re protecting Noah, That’s what matters p> I pressed the phone harder against my ear. My other hand gripped the edge
Chapter 107 Aria pov “Subtle?” He laughed. “You practically threw them at each other p> “And it worked.” I turned in his arms, looking up at him. “They’re perfect for each other. She needs someone kind and he needs someone who sees him for who he really is. Not just
Chapter 106 Aria pov I smiled, the muscles in my face felt tight as the camera clicked. “One more—now everyone look at Noah p> We looked down. Noah beamed up at us, missing his two front teeth. Pure joy on his chocolate-smeared face. Click. “Perfect,” Olivia said softly. Lucas appeared
Chapter 105 Aria’s POV The penthouse looked like a dinosaur had exploded inside it. Green and orange streamers hung from every surface I could reach. Balloon dinosaurs bobbed against the ceiling, their strings tangling together. The “Dinosaurs with Volcanoes” banner stretched across the main living area, slightly crooked because Damien
Chapter 104 Aria pov I nodded, not trusting my voice. He pulled it up slowly. The fabric dragged across my skin, catching on my breasts. Cool air hit my overheated body. I wasn’t wearing a bra—I’d taken it off earlier. His eyes went dark when he realized. “Beautiful.” He leaned
Chapter 103 Aria’s POV I’d just tucked Noah into bed when Damien appeared in the doorway. “Can we talk?” He looked nervous. “About the party p> “Sure.” I followed him to the living room. “What about it p> He pulled out a notebook—actual paper, covered in his neat handwriting. “I
Chapter 102 Aria pov “Shut up.” But my fingers hovered over the screen. I read his message again. Then saved it to my favorites folder before I could stop myself. “You saved it.” Olivia’s voice was smug. “You’re so gone for him p> “I am not” “You are.” She poked
Chapter 101 Aria Pov “He was I trailed off, remembering. “His stamina is on a whole new level sometimes p> Olivia fanned herself dramatically. “Oh my god. DETAILS p> “No!” I laughed, covering my face. “Absolutely not p> “Come on! Throw me a bone here, best friend privileges p> “Fine.”
Chapter 100 Aria’s POV – Days Later “Absolutely not p> Damien looked up from his tablet, confusion crossing his face. “What’s absolutely not p> “That.” I pointed at the screen showing a full-sized animatronic T-Rex. “You’re not buying our son a twelve-foot dinosaur that costs more than a car p>