FAZER LOGINChapter One Hundred and FiftyAria was still laughing even after they stepped away from the ride.Not small laughter. Not something she tried to hide. It came freely, the kind that stayed for a while even after the moment had passed. Every time she glanced at him, it came back again, and that only made it worse for Damien.“You’re not going to let this go, are you?” he asked, running a hand through his hair as they walked side by side.“I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone scream like that before,” she replied, trying—and failing—to hold it in.“I didn’t scream.”She stopped walking for a second, turning to look at him properly. “You did.”“I reacted.”“That was not reacting.”He exhaled, shaking his head slightly. “You forced me on that thing.”“I didn’t force you,” she corrected. “You agreed.”“You manipulated the situation.”That made her laugh again, softer this time, but no less real. “You’re unbelievable.”“And you’re enjoying this too much.”“I really am.”They kept walking af
Chapter Two Hundred and Forty NineThe next day came without pressure.Aria woke up earlier than she needed to, lying in bed for a few extra minutes before finally sitting up. For a second, she just stayed there, her mind catching up with what the day meant. It wasn’t anything complicated. Just… time out. Time with him.Still, she found herself moving with a little more attention than usual.By the time she got ready, the yellow sundress had already been decided. It wasn’t something she overthought. It just felt right the moment she saw it. Light. Easy. Something she could move in without feeling like she was trying too hard.When she stepped outside, she didn’t expect the car.The sleek black Maybach stood right in front of her place, polished enough to reflect the morning light. For a moment, she paused, her eyes scanning it before the door opened and Damien stepped out.His gaze landed on her immediately.And he didn’t hide it.He looked at her properly, taking in the dress, the wa
Chapter Two Hundred and Forty EightBy the time Aria got into her room, she didn’t drop the flowers immediately.She closed the door behind her, slipped off her shoes near the entrance, and walked further in, still holding them carefully like she didn’t want to disturb anything about the way they had been given to her.She placed her bag down first.Then she looked at them again.Up close this time.The roses stood out first. She had said it without thinking earlier, but now, standing alone, she realized it wasn’t just a random choice. They were exactly what she would have picked if someone had asked her.But no one ever had.Her fingers brushed lightly against one of the petals, her lips pressing together in a small smile she didn’t even try to hide.Then her phone lit up on the bed.She glanced at it.Nothing important.Still, she picked it up.Her thumb hovered over the screen for a second before she opened his contact.She didn’t overthink it.She typed.“Hope you got home safely.
Chapter Two Hundred and Forty SevenAria stepped out of the clinic with her bag resting over her shoulder, adjusting the strap slightly as she made her way down the short path toward the gate. The day had been long, but not in a way that drained her completely. Just enough to make her want to get home, change, and sit in silence for a bit.She didn’t expect anything different.Not today.Across the street, Damien watched her the moment she appeared.He had been waiting long enough to recognize the exact way she walked out after work—no rush, no dragging steps either. Just her usual pace, her attention half on the ground, half on where she was headed.He picked up the flowers and stood up, brushing his hand lightly over his sleeve before crossing toward her.For a second, he didn’t call her name.He walked up from behind and reached out, tapping her gently.Aria turned almost immediately, her brows pulling together slightly before her eyes landed on him.The reaction didn’t take long t
Chapter Two Hundred and Forty SixBy the time the jet touched down in Minnesota, Damien didn’t feel the need to rush.The decision had already been made long before he got on the plane. Now, it was just about following through with it properly.He stepped out with his standard issue composure. There was no urgency in him, no need to make his arrival dramatic or noticeable.He hadn’t told Aria he was coming.Not because he wanted to surprise her in a grand way, but because he wanted to see her without pressure. Without making her feel like she had to prepare or respond to his presence before she was ready.He headed straight to the Greysons’ mansion in Minnesota first.The place wasn't new to him, even though he hadn’t spent much time there compared to Canada. Still, it carried the same quiet structure, the same controlled atmosphere he had grown up around.After settling his luggage inside, he didn’t stay long.He stepped back out, adjusting his sleeves slightly as he made his way tow
Chapter Two Hundred and Forty five The call started the same way most of theirs had begun lately—simple, familiar, no hesitation in picking up.Aria answered after the second ring, her voice calm when she spoke.“Hi.”Damien leaned back slightly in his chair as he heard her. “Hi.”There was a brief pause, not awkward, just natural, like they were both settling into the conversation before saying anything important.Then Aria spoke again.“My dad asked about you,” she said. “He sends his regards.”Damien’s expression softened at that immediately. He didn’t interrupt her, just listened.“He said you’ve been… consistent,” she added, like she was repeating her father’s exact words but choosing them carefully.A small breath left Damien through his nose, almost like a quiet laugh. “Consistent,” he repeated. “I’ll take that as a good thing.”“It is,” Aria replied simply.Another short silence followed, but this one carried something steadier in it. Something that didn’t need to be filled.
Chapter Eighty SixThe double doors swung open, and Aria’s stomach dropped like someone had punched her.Damien came through first carried between two security guys, his arms hanging loose, head tilted sideways like it was too heavy to hold up anymore. His eyes were shut. Lips parted just enough to
---Chapter NinetyThe private jet touched down smoothly, the wheels rolling against the runway with a muted screech. No cheers. No excitement. Just the soft hum of the engines winding down, the click of seatbelts releasing.Aria remained in her seat, hands tightly clutching her bag. She didn’t spe
Chapter Eighty OneJohn stared at his phone for a long moment before calling.The last few days had been enough. Enough pretending. Enough sitting in one place while money waited elsewhere. He loved his wife, he loved his child, but love had never paid bills. Love had never built anything lasting f
Chapter Sixty SixThe cloth moved slowly across the floor as Aria wiped away dust that never seemed to end. This corner of the room had become familiar to her. The wall. The floor. The small space she folded herself into every night.Her hair was still tied back. Her sleeves rolled. She was tired i







