MasukThe 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 inside
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
The tension in the clinic was thick enough to suffocate a man. Thirty minutes had passed since the terrifying ordeal at the pool. Aria lay unconscious on the narrow bed, her skin pale against the white sheets, her dark hair damp and tangled across the pillow. Noah sat in the chair beside her, one of her hands clasped between both of his. He had barely moved except to brush the damp strands from her cheek or adjust her blanket. Every few seconds, his thumb swept over her knuckles, as if reassuring himself that she was still there. Mike stood near the foot of the bed, his expression grim as he looked between the two women seated on the opposite side of the room. Anna’s left arm was secured in a fresh sling. Her shoulder had dislocated during the struggle, and faint red marks circled her throat. Alexis sat a little apart from her, a neat bandage covering the shallow cut at her temple. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and she wor
ARIA'S POV I stare up at the towering glass skyscraper of King Atelier. The building is breathtaking—a sleek masterpiece of white marble, brushed steel, and massive glass windows catching the bright sunlight. My dream building. Very soon, my business would surpass this heights. The revolving do
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
ARIA'S POV The heavy front door clicked shut behind me. I stood on the smooth white marble floor of the foyer for a few seconds, to prepare myself before meetingtheir disgusting faces. Then I heard the laughter again. Louder this time. It was coming right from the dining room down the hall. L







