ログインThe scent of cedarwood, leather, and steam starch clings to my clothes as I slip into the back seat of the car. I miss doing this. I miss the scratch of charcoal, the debate over grain lines, the chaos of creation. But more than that, I miss my son more than I expected. Daisy would lose her mind over the encounter with Stephanie. Realising how long it’s been since we properly talked makes me pull out my phone and type a quick reminder to myself. ***** I slide off my heels, reaching for a pair of soft indoor slippers, when my fingers freeze. There are two unfamiliar pairs of shoes resting on the display shelf. Someone is definitely inside the house. Not just one person. An unexplainable tension knots in the small of my back. Without even realizing it, my steps slow down naturally. In the salon two women sit close together on the large sofa. Naomi King and
ARIA'S POV I step inside carrying my portfolio and the notes Elsie sent over last night.A few heads turn. I offer a polite smile and a quiet greeting. Most return it with nods. One woman—tall, sharp-featured, copper dyed hair lets her gaze travel over me slowly before looking away without a word. The temperature around her feels a few degrees colder than the rest of the room.Elsie appears almost immediately, tablet in hand, expression bright.“Aria, perfect timing. Some of the principal cast are coming in for fittings later today. Come, I’ll walk you through the boards.”She leads me toward a long table covered in sketches and fabric swatches. The main characters’ looks are arranged in sequences. Elsie talks quickly, pointing out seam placements, hidden stretch panels, and the way some pieces need to move from ballroom to battlefield without a full change.I can feel her watching my face as she shows me the lead female’s primary coat—heavy embroidery on the outside, clean techni
TWENTY HOURS EARLIER NOAH'S POV “Any new update on Aria’s case from four years ago?” I ask without looking up from the screen. Falcon says, standing in front of my desk, tablet in hand. “KC said he’s compiling everything. He’ll send the full file by tonight at the latest.” I stop scrolling. The words she said in the cinema room are still sitting under my skin like glass. I asked for it. How many motherfuckers has she looked at with those wide, dark brown eyes and asked for touch? Am I supposed to feel some sort of pathetic gratitude or luck because I was the first man to have her? “Tell him to hold off.” Falcon pauses. “Sir?” “Tell him to scrap it. I don’t want to see it.” He stares at me for a second too long, clearly thrown. I’ve been pushing for these answers for weeks. Now that they’re close, I’m shutting the door. I needed to feel... relieved back then. Her words play in my head again. I will only get more fucking pissed. Might even end his motherfucking life. I f
ARIA'S POVMy mind goes completely blank for a second.Naomi King stands in front of me.Everyone in New York, and frankly the world, knows who she is.She isn't just some wealthy billionaire’s wife; she is a legendary, world-renowned surgeon who has saved countless lives. Born into generational old money, she is the ultimate, intimidating combination of beauty, brains, and luck that feels almost unfair.“Madame King—” My voice finally works, thin and startled.Did Jane set me up? I’ve been betrayed enough times that suspicion comes faster than trust.Naomi walks toward me. Up close she is even more striking—elegant in a way that feels effortless. No wonder Noah turned out looking the way he does. The genetic code is undeniable."I didn't think I would meet you here today," Naomi continues, her eyes scanning my face. "I have been meaning to meet you for quite some time."Meet me?The word rings alarm bells in my head. My mind races to all the romance cliché I’ve read.Is this the lege
ARIA'S POV “Miss Aria! You’re here. Matteo mentioned you were coming over.” Jane says as she hurries over. Rose and Emily—the girls who had helped me with my makeup for the gala weeks ago abandons their clipboards to join us. Both of them are smiling like they’ve been waiting for an excuse to leave their work.“Those blends you recommended were perfect,” Rose starts. “The drape is incredible. We’ve already started combining too. I hope you can help us check them out before leaving.”"True." Emily chimes in. "You've this way of making cuts look effortless, Miss Aria.” She leans in whispering. “If you ever need a fit model or just want to test out your new textures, please let us know first."I laugh softly nodding, a little embarrassed. “I’m just here to pick up some fabrics. Nothing special.”Jane glances at the bag I’m holding. “Is that lunch? Please tell me it is for the boss. He’s been locked in meetings since seven this morning. Hasn’t touched anything. The whole building is sur
THIRD PERSON'S POVLET THE KING MATRIARCH HANDLE THE PEASANT The sprawling architecture of the Langford estate stood as a monument to multi-generational wealth.Stella Langford rushed in, dressed in designer pink silk, her newly dyed blonde hair bouncing with every uneven step.A Birkin bag dangled from one hand. She waved the other dismissively at the butler trailing behind her.“Leave the bag, Carl. I’ll deal with it later.”She didn’t wait for a reply as she tried to balance on her seven-inch Louboutin heels. “Mum? Mum!” Her voice echoed up the grand staircase and along the wide corridors. When no answer came, she headed for the private elevator that led to her mother’s sitting room on the upper floor.The doors opened onto a hallway. Stella pushed into the room without knocking.Sol Langford sat on a low sofa, a glass of white wine in one hand, the large screen on the opposite wall filled with the faces of three other women. All of them were coiffed with expensive jewellery, ex
FOUR YEARS LATER PRESENT ARIA'S POV The crisp air outside John F. Kennedy International Airport hits me the moment I step out. Suddenly, a familiar loud screech cuts through the noise. "Aria! Oh my god, look at you!" Daisy throws her arms around me. She squeezes the breath right out of my
JAMIE'S POV A blinding rage consumed me. I lunged forward, ready to throw my entire weight against Noah's door and break it wide open, but two heavy hands violently held me back. “Sir, step away. You can’t go in there.” My eyes flared with dangerous rage as I glared at the suit. “Get the hell out
JAMIE'S POV From the center of the stage, even with the flashing cameras going off like gunfire, I still found her. Aria. And damn, she looked unreal. Aria had always been beautiful. Not just pretty but dangerously beautiful. People stare too long when they see her, I have to glare at them to sh
ARIA'S POV “Then go,” my father growled, standing up from the table. “I disown you as my daughter.” “Don’t say that, dear…” Carolina fake-interjected. “No, Lina. Let her go.” He yelled at her. “You idiot!" He says addressing me. "Was I the one that asked him to dump you, Aria? If you had be







