ログインAria woke to the scent of food and the presence of someone watching her.Noah sat on the edge of the mattress, already dressed in low-slung black sweatpants, a tray balanced carefully in his hands. Scrambled eggs with herbs, thick slices of buttered sourdough, crisp bacon, and a small bowl of cut fruit. Steam still rose from the coffee. He had even added a single purple flower in a tiny glass.Aria blinked at him, body heavy and deliciously sore. The night had been endless rounds of claiming and being claimed. Even in the shower he had taken her again—slow at first, then harder—before cleaning her gently. She half-remembered the cool smear of ointment between her legs while she drifted in and out of consciousness.Seeing his handsome face softened by morning light, she grinned.“You made breakfast.”“I need to feed my queen, don’t I?” Noah’s voice was low, still rough from sleep and everything they had done. He set the tray across her lap and lifted a forkful of eggs to her lips hims
The last of the formal congratulations blurred together. Aria’s cheeks ached from smiling. Compliment after compliment washed over her—her dress, the proposal, the way Noah had looked at her as if the rest of the world were optional. He stayed glued to her side through most of it, a possessive hand at the small of her back, thumb occasionally stroking the curve of her waist in a way that made concentration difficult. Only when one of his partners finally dragged him away for a brief conversation did the space around her fill with curious, envious women. “He’s looking over here again,” one of them sighed, half-laughing. “Where do you even find a man like that, Aria? I need the address.” Aria only smiled, polite and distant. Internally the answer rose unbidden and sharp. At my lowest, she thought. On the worst day of my life. And I did not find him—I crashed into him.
Aria stared down at him, overwhelmed by the weight of his words. His confession was cheesy, embarrassingly possessive, and so full of love that her heart could barely contain it. Tears blurred her vision, but she couldn't stop smiling. Before Noah could even take the ring out of its box, Aria dropped the bouquet and threw her arms around his neck, nearly knocking him off balance. "You idiot!" she sobbed, a breathless laugh escaping her as she buried her face in his shoulder. "It took you long enough!" Cheers and laughter erupted from the guests behind the glass, followed by a thunderous round of applause. Noah caught her around the waist and rose to his feet, lifting her effortlessly. He spun her around, drawing a delighted squeal from her before bringing his lips down on hers. The kiss was fierce and unrestrained, filled with all the love and longing they had carried through their years apart. The crowd whistled and cheered louder, and the music swelled as the glass doors
Aria didn't care about her hair scattering across her damp shoulders, or the smudge of makeup she surely wore. Nothing else mattered except the seven-year-old boy who held her to this world. She slammed her hand against the doors, shoving them open with a harsh, echoing crash— And froze dead in her tracks. The air left her lungs entirely. Not because of a tragedy, but because of a staggering, sensory-shattering beauty. The vast conservatory had been transformed into a dreamlike sanctuary. Thousands of cascading candles floated in glass pools, and violet orchids climbed up the pillars, illuminated by the glow of the night sky overhead. Cameras flashed from the shadows, capturing every expression of stunned disbelief on her face. And standing right in the center of the floral sea, bathed in red light, was her family. Mamie stood at the front, a gent
Naomi stood behind Aria in the mirror, fastening the last clasp of the necklace with careful fingers. The diamonds caught the light and settled against Aria’s collarbone as if they had always belonged there — the matching piece to the bracelet Naomi had given her months ago and the ring that still sat on her left hand. “You are looking even more beautiful today,” Naomi murmured, stepping back to admire the full effect. Aria turned slightly, watching the deep purple silk of her gown move with her. She had designed it herself in the quiet hours of Noah’s absence — long evenings when the house felt too large and her hands needed something to do. The lines were clean, the fabric rich, the cut both elegant and unapologetic. Aureline’s return, stitched into every seam. “Mom—” “Shhh.” Naomi smoothed an invisible wrinkle near her shoulder. “It is time you owned it, dear.” Aria met her own eyes in the glass and allowed herself a small smile. Twenty-eight years. A lifetime already lived ins
The chair was bolted to the concrete floor. Alexis sat rigidly in it, wrists bound behind her, ankles secured to the legs. The cut on her temple had reopened slightly; a thin line of blood traced her cheekbone. The room was windowless, lit by a harsh strip light that hummed overhead. Somewhere above them the mansion continued its ordinary evening; down here the air was cold and still. She had been caught less than five minutes after she tried to slip out. Falcon’s men did not make dramatic entrances. One moment she was reaching for the door. The next, the world tilted and the restraints closed. Noah stood several paces away, sleeves rolled to the elbows, expression unreadable. He had not raised his voice once since they brought her in. That, more than anything, made the fear finally begin to crawl up her spine. “You tried to run,” he finally said. It was not a question. Alexis lifted her chin. Even now the old delusion clung to her like a second skin. “I only needed time. You
ARIA'S POV When the morning light hit my face, everything hurt. My head throbbed so hard I almost fainted right back onto the pillows. My limbs felt like lead, completely pinned down by a deep-seated ache and my lips were cracked, dry, and bitter. Parting them sent a sharp sting across my mouth.
ARIA'S POV I dropped to my knees on the carpet of the suite, clutching my stomach. My breath came in short, ragged gasps.The room was turning upside down. I was drowning in waves of unnatural, terrifying heat that felt like it was cooking me from the inside out. My skin felt so hot it was actu
ARIA'S POV The ultimate power couple. That's what they call them. A bitter taste filled my mouth as Jamie and Lora looked at each other with loving eyes on that stage. Seeing how perfectly they fit each other felt like a blow to my chest, a pain so deep I literally wanted to rip my heart out jus
ARIA'S POV Some people get to see their world fall apart slowly. They have time to get ready for the crash. I didn't get that chance. My life didn’t fall apart slowly. It collapsed in one night. The night my boyfriend announced his engagement to my stepsister. And somehow… I was the only







