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

Chapter 123 Vivan pov I went back to my room and pulled out my secret burner phone—the one the facility didn’t know about and started making calls. If Sophia talked, I needed an alibi. I needed proof I was too unstable, too medicated, too out of it to have planned

Chapter 122 Aria’s POV A few days after the gala, I was drowning in merger paperwork when my phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number. “Thought you should know—your ’changed man’ is at the Riverside Hotel. Room 1247. With a blonde, some things never change p> My blood

Chapter 121 Aria pov “You are terrified.” Olivia nodded. “I get it. But Aria, you can’t live in fear forever. At some point, you have to decide whether you’re going to let the past control your future or whether you’re going to be brave enough to risk your heart again

Chapter 120 Damien pov I twisted the shower handle to scalding. Steam billowed up instantly, thick and hot, fogging the glass. I stripped out of the tuxedo in rough, impatient movements—jacket, shirt, belt, pants, boxers—all hitting the marble floor in a careless heap. My cock sprang free, heavy and flushed

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