로그인8:40 A.M. — Abandoned Warehouse, East DistrictThe warehouse stood at the far end of an industrial road, surrounded by abandoned buildings and overgrown weeds.It was the kind of place people passed without looking twice.But this morning, several police vehicles were parked around it.Inspector Andrew stepped out of one of the vehicles.He looked toward the warehouse.“We have confirmation he's inside?”“Yes, Inspector.”One of the officers checked his phone.“His vehicle was spotted here early this morning.”Andrew nodded.“Surround the building.”The officers moved into position.Andrew walked toward the entrance with two officers behind him.“Remember, we need him alive.”“Yes, Inspector.”Inside the warehouse, Lucas sat on an old wooden chair.A small bag rested beside him.He had barely slept.For two days, he had been moving from place to place, changing locations and avoiding everyone he knew.But he had made one mistake.He had turned on his phone.Just long enough to check t
10:15 A.M. — Police Headquarters, Detention RoomThe room was quiet.Aria sat on the edge of the narrow bed, staring at the floor.She hadn't slept properly since her arrest.Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the same things.The bridge.Vivienne falling.The hospital.Damian's face when he heard her confession.The disappointment in his eyes.And the words she could never take back.She had heard the news.She knew what people were saying about her.Evil.Psychopath.Monster.Heartless.At first, the words had hurt.Now she barely reacted to them.Because somewhere inside, she knew she had given people enough reasons to hate her.The sound of footsteps approached.Aria lifted her head.The door opened.A female officer stepped inside.“Aria, you have a visitor.”Aria frowned.“Who?”The officer stepped aside.And then Aria saw her.“Grandma…”Eleanor stood at the doorway.For a moment, neither of them moved.Aria's lips began to tremble.Then the tears came.She covered her fac
8:00 A.M. — Cross MansionThe house was unusually quiet.Too quiet for a wedding day.There were no wedding planners rushing through the halls.No decorators carrying flowers.No makeup artists preparing the bride.No music.No laughter.No excited relatives arriving at the mansion.The wedding that had taken months to plan...wasn't happening.Grandma Eleanor sat quietly in the living room, staring at the untouched wedding invitation on the table.The date was today.The date they had all been waiting for.But the bride was sitting in a police cell.Eleanor sighed.She picked up the invitation.Damian Cross & Aria Carter.Her fingers tightened around the card.She slowly placed it back down.Upstairs, Damian stood in front of his bedroom window.He hadn't slept properly in two days.His suit was still hanging inside his wardrobe.The black tuxedo he had planned to wear today.The watch Aria had once helped him choose.The shoes he had bought specifically for the ceremony.Everything
5:10 P.M. — Walter Group HeadquartersThe reception area became tense the moment the police officers walked through the glass doors.Inspector Andrew entered first, followed by two officers.The receptionist immediately stood.“Good evening, officers.”Andrew showed his identification.“We're here for Lucas Walter.”The receptionist's expression changed.“Mr. Walter?”“Yes.”“Is there a problem?”“We need to speak with him.”She hesitated.“I'm afraid he's not here.”Andrew's eyes narrowed slightly.“When did he leave?”“I don't know exactly.”“You don't know?”She shook her head.“He came in this morning, but he left sometime after lunch.”“Did he say where he was going?”“No.”Andrew looked at the officers.“Take us to his office.”“Yes, Inspector.”They walked through the corridor.The atmosphere inside the building had suddenly changed.Employees watched quietly as the officers passed.When they reached Lucas's office, Andrew knocked.No answer.He knocked again.“Mr. Walter?”Sil
11:35 A.M. — Police HeadquartersDamian walked out of the interview room.He didn't look back.His steps were steady, but his mind was anything but.Aria's tears.Her apologies.Her confession.They replayed in his head over and over again.He stopped walking.He closed his eyes.His chest felt painfully tight.He had spent months believing he was finally building a life with the woman he loved.A wedding.A family.A future.And now he wasn't even sure who he had been loving.“Mr. Cross.”Damian opened his eyes.Inspector Andrew stood several feet behind him.Damian turned.“What?”Andrew's eyes dropped to his hand.Blood was still running from the cut across his knuckles.“Your hand is bleeding.”Damian looked down.He hadn't even noticed.“I'm fine.”“You should have that treated.”“I said I'm fine.”Andrew studied him for a moment.“You don't have to make a decision today.”Damian's expression hardened.“About the charges?”“Yes.”Damian looked away.“I told you I need to see her
11:05 A.M. — Police Headquarters, Interview RoomThe door opened.Aria lifted her head.She had been sitting at the table for several minutes, her lawyer beside her, waiting.Then she saw him.Damian.Her heart stopped.He stood at the doorway.For a moment, neither of them spoke.Aria had imagined this moment countless times.She had imagined running into his arms.She had imagined explaining everything.She had imagined him understanding.But she had never imagined the look in his eyes.Disappointment.Pain.Betrayal.Damian slowly walked into the room.His eyes never left her.Aria's lips trembled."Damian..."He said nothing.He pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down.The silence between them was unbearable.Aria lowered her eyes.Damian stared at her.Finally, he spoke."Tell me it's all a lie."Aria's breathing caught."Damian...""Look at me."His voice was quiet.Too quiet.Aria slowly raised her eyes."Look me in the eyes, Aria Carter, and tell me everything I heard w
The spa’s lobby smelled of eucalyptus and quiet luxury. Soft music, pale marble, attendants gliding like calm water. Aria walked in wearing wide-leg cream trousers and a silk top, sunglasses still on. She was already picturing the heated massage table when a too-familiar laugh sliced the peaceful a
Aria was halfway through a vintage rom-com, a bowl of caramel popcorn balanced on her lap, when her bedroom door slammed open. Damian filled the doorway like a storm front—jacket off, tie loosened, eyes hard.“Stay away from Selene,” he said, voice clipped.Aria hit pause, the movie freezing on a h
Three days later The Cross penthouse was a quiet glass fortress at dawn. Soft grey light spilled across polished marble; the city below still yawned awake. Damian was already dressed for work, dark suit, silver cuff links, every line of him precise. He stood at the espresso machine, reading mark
The ballroom doors swung wide, and the orchestra’s melody faltered as if the strings themselves recognized the new arrival.Damian Cross stepped inside.Tall, black suit perfectly cut, he moved with the unhurried confidence of a man who owned more than half the skyline. Conversations dimmed; the cr







