LOGINThe morning of the wedding was loud before it was beautiful.“Where is the makeup artist?” Selene’s voice cut through the bridal suite like a blade.“Why is the veil still on the chair?”“Who moved my shoes? I said nobody should touch my things!”The room froze.“I want today perfect,” Selene snapped. “Perfect means no mistakes, no delays, no stupidity.”“Yes, ma’am,” three voices replied at once.Across the hall, Aria stood calmly as a stylist adjusted the last button on her dress.Her gown was simple, elegant, champagne silk, tailored perfectly to her frame. No diamonds screaming for attention. No excess. Just quiet class.A staff member gasped softly. “Wow.”Another whispered, “She looks like royalty.”Aria smiled politely. “Thank you.”As she stepped into the corridor, murmurs followed her.“Is that Mrs Cross?”“She’s stunning.”“I didn’t know the wife would look like this.”Aria walked past Selene’s door just as another shout erupted.“Why does everything keep going wrong today?”
ONE WEEK LATER The garden was quiet in that heavy way that only came before something big. No music. No laughter. Just the faint hum of lights from the mansion and the sound of Aria’s thoughts arguing with her heart.She sat on the stone bench, arms wrapped around herself.“I brought this on myself,” she whispered.“I should have stayed calm. I should have waited. I should have been patient.”Her lips trembled.“A mistress suddenly becomes the real wife,” she scoffed softly. “What kind of joke is that?”She leaned her head back, staring at the sky.“I just pray I don’t die the second time,” she murmured.Footsteps crunched behind her.“Aria.”She stiffened but didn’t turn.“Are you okay?” Damian asked.Silence.“You’ve been sitting here for almost an hour,” he added. “I noticed.”She finally looked at him. “Oh. You noticed?”“Yes,” he said simply. “I saw you through the window. I was wondering what you were doing out here alone.”She shrugged. “Nothing. Outside feels… peaceful.”He g
The wedding card was officially out.Selene had been flooding her social media nonstop mirror selfies, designer watches, cryptic captions about “forever” and “answered prayers.” The internet was already buzzing.That afternoon, Max pulled into the Cross mansion.“Good afternoon, sir,” one of the staff greeted.“Hey,” Max replied easily. “Is your boss around?”“No, sir. Mr Cross hasn’t returned yet. Madame Selene is home.”Max nodded. “Alright. Please let her know Max is here.”“Okay, sir.”Max settled into the living room. A staff member brought him a drink, which he accepted with a polite smile.Ten minutes later, Selene walked downstairs.“Max,” she said, stopping halfway.He stood up. “Hi, Selene. How are you doing?”“I’m good,” she replied, glancing around. “Damian isn’t home?”“Yeah, I know. I’ve called him,” Max said.She nodded and sat opposite him. “Get me a glass,” she told one of the staff casually.Max’s eyes lingered on her belly not obvious, but observant.They drank in s
Sophia was browsing a luxury handbag display at the mall when a familiar voice cut through the soft music.“Sophia.”She turned, surprise flashing across her face before melting into a smile.“Aria! Hi, dear.”Aria stepped closer, her lips curved.“Where have you been? You disappeared. I thought you weren’t even in town.”“I’ve been around,” Sophia replied lightly. “Just… keeping to myself.”Aria raised a brow.“And you didn’t think to check on your best friend?”Sophia chuckled awkwardly.“You’re right. I deserve that.”She hesitated, then sighed.“Aria, I still feel terrible about what happened between us. I promised to make your outfit and I disappointed you. I’m really sorry.”Aria waved it off instantly.“No, no, Sophia. That’s ancient history. Forget it.” She stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. “I’ve missed you.”Sophia relaxed into the embrace.“I missed you too.”“Come,” Aria said suddenly. “Let’s have lunch.”Sophia smiled.“Sure. Just text me the venue.”Aria laughed
“Babe, come downstairs,” Selene called out, already halfway up the stairs. “We have a visitor.”Damian looked up from his phone.“A visitor? Who?”“Just come down,” she said impatiently. “You ask too many questions.”Before he could protest, she grabbed his wrist and pulled him along. Damian sighed but followed.In the living room, a woman in a beige suit sat upright on the couch, tablet balanced neatly on her lap.Selene beamed.“Sit. Sit.”Damian lowered himself into the armchair, already sensing trouble.The woman stood immediately.“Good afternoon, sir.”“Good afternoon,” Damian replied politely.Selene slipped her arm around his, practically clinging to him.“Babe, this is Kate. She’s an event planner.”“You’re welcome here,” Damian said, nodding to Kate.“Thank you, sir,” Kate replied with a professional smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”She tapped her tablet.“So let’s begin. First question, what’s the color theme for the day?”“It’s an all-white event,” Selene answered qu
The entire executive floor felt it.Damian Cross arrived earlier than usual, suit immaculate, expression carved from stone. No greetings. No nods. No patience. Phones rang softer. Assistants whispered. Even the air felt cautious.By the time Aria stepped in, tablet tucked under her arm, the mood had already curdled.She paused at his office door, knocked once, then walked in.“Good morning,” she said calmly, placing the documents neatly on his desk. “These need your signature. The logistics approval and—”He didn’t look up.“Why is this printed?” Damian snapped.Aria blinked. “Because you asked for hard copies yesterday.”“I asked for a summary,” he corrected coldly. “Not a stack of paper.”She inhaled, steady.“There’s a summary attached on page one.”He finally looked up at her, eyes sharp.“Did I ask for an explanation?”Aria’s lips pressed together briefly.“No. You asked for a signature.”Damian shoved the file back toward her.“Redo it. I don’t sign work that lacks precision.”A







