登入9:20 A.M. — Police Headquarters, Inspector's OfficeDamian stood outside Inspector Andrew's office, his expression tense.He had barely slept.Since Aria's arrest, his mind had refused to settle.Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her being led away from the mansion.The handcuffs.The fear in her eyes.Her voice telling Grandma Eleanor that she hadn't killed anyone.He still couldn't understand how everything had happened so quickly.The door opened."Mr. Cross."Inspector Andrew stood aside."Come in."Damian entered.He walked straight toward the desk."Can I see my wife now?"Inspector Andrew closed the door behind him."No. Not yet."Damian's expression hardened."Why?""There are procedures we have to follow.""She's my wife.""I understand.""Then let me see her."Inspector Andrew looked at him for a moment."I need you to listen to something first."Damian frowned."Listen to what?""A recording.""What recording?"Inspector Andrew walked toward his desk."Aria's interrogat
3:45 P.M. — Police Headquarters, Interrogation RoomThe room was quiet.Aria sat at one side of the table with her lawyer beside her.Across from them sat Inspector Andrew and another investigator.A digital recorder rested in the middle of the table.Its red light was off.For a moment, nobody spoke.Inspector Andrew opened the file in front of him.“Mrs. Cross, before we begin, I need to remind you that you have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer any question you do not wish to answer.”Aria nodded.“I understand.”“Anything you say during this interview may be recorded and used as evidence.”“I understand.”“You have your lawyer present. Do you wish to continue with the interview?”Aria glanced at her lawyer.Her lawyer gave her a small nod.Aria turned back to the inspector.“Yes.”Inspector Andrew reached for the recorder.“Are you giving this statement voluntarily?”“Yes.”“You haven't been threatened, forced, or promised anything in exchange for this statemen
1:05 P.M. — Cross Group HeadquartersDamian walked into his office without saying a word.His lawyer followed behind him, carrying a thick file.The moment the door closed, Damian turned around.“Tell me everything.”His lawyer placed the file on the desk.“We're still waiting for the complete case file from the police.”“Then what do we have?”“Preliminary information.”Damian stared at him.“Start.”The lawyer opened the file.“First, the bridge incident involving Vivienne Carter.”Damian's expression tightened.“I know about that.”“The police have CCTV footage.”“CCTV?”“Yes.”Damian walked toward the window.“Does it clearly show Aria pushing her?”His lawyer hesitated.“Yes.”Damian closed his eyes.For several seconds, he said nothing.“Continue.”“The second allegation concerns Vivienne's hospital stay.”Damian slowly turned around.“What exactly happened there?”“They haven't released all the details yet.”“Then find out.”“I will.”His lawyer turned another page.“There is a
Damian arrives at the station. He wants Aria immediately. The police won't release her. He demands to know the charges. His lawyer starts working on her case. 11:42 A.M. — Police Headquarters Damian walked through the entrance of the police headquarters with his lawyer beside him. His face was hard, but beneath the calm expression, his mind was in chaos. Aria had been arrested. That was all he knew. And it wasn't enough. He approached the reception desk. “I'm here for Aria Cross.” The receptionist looked up. “Sir, are you family?” “I'm her husband.” She checked the computer. “Yes. Mrs. Cross is here.” “Take me to her.” “I'm sorry, sir. You can't go directly to—” “I don't want to go directly anywhere.” Damian's voice remained controlled. “I want to know who arrested my wife and why.” The receptionist looked uncomfortable. “Please wait for the investigating officer.” Damian stared at her for a moment. Then he stepped away. His lawyer
10:42 A.M. — Police HeadquartersAria sat quietly inside the interrogation room.Her wrists were still cuffed.She stared at the table in front of her, trying to understand how everything had changed so quickly.Only an hour ago, she had been standing in her kitchen preparing snacks.Now she was sitting in a police station facing murder allegations.The door opened.Inspector Andrew walked in with a folder.A female officer followed him and sat across from Aria.“Mrs. Cross.”Aria looked up.“Yes?”“You're entitled to legal representation before we begin questioning.”“I want a lawyer.”“Of course.”The officer placed a glass of water in front of her.“You can also make a phone call.”Aria immediately reached for the phone.“Damian.”She dialed his number.It rang.And rang.No answer.She tried again.Still nothing.Her eyes filled with tears.“He doesn't know.”Inspector Andrew said nothing.Aria lowered the phone.“Please tell him I'm here.”“You'll be able to speak with your lawye
9:43 A.M. — Cross MansionAria stood in the kitchen, preparing a few snacks.The wedding was only days away, but for once, she wasn't thinking about flowers, dresses, or guests.She was simply trying to keep herself busy.She placed the last piece of fruit on a plate when suddenly—Bang!The sound of a car door closing echoed from outside.Aria paused.Then came another sound.Several footsteps.She frowned and looked toward the kitchen entrance.A few seconds later, one of the maids hurried inside.“Ma'am.”Aria turned.“What is it?”“There are some people outside.”“People?”“Yes, ma'am. They said they want to see you.”Aria wiped her hands with a kitchen towel.“Who are they?”“I don't know, ma'am. They look like officers.”Aria's expression changed slightly.“Officers?”The maid nodded.Aria looked toward the living room.“Let them in.”“Yes, ma'am.”The maid hurried away.Aria followed a few seconds later.The moment she stepped into the living room, she stopped.Several men dres
11:00 AM. The Penthouse Master Bedroom.The curtains were drawn, casting the room in a soft, melancholic twilight. Aria sat propped up against the pillows of the massive bed, her knees drawn to her chest, her tablet resting on the duvet.She wasn’t reading the news anymore. She was looking at photo
The Next DayVivienne knew something was wrong the moment she walked into the Carter Group boardroom.The air was different. Heavy. No casual chatter. No fake smiles. Just stiff backs, tight jaws, and screens already lit with headlines she hadn’t opened yet but could feel in her bones.She took her
That night, Damian sat alone in his bedroom, sleeves rolled up, laptop open but untouched.His phone buzzed.Unknown number.He frowned slightly, then opened the message.The image loaded slowly.Aria.Standing too close to Lucas.Lucas leaning in, smiling. Aria’s face turned slightly toward him, c
Sunday morning at the Cross mansion was unusually busy.Staff moved around quietly, polishing, arranging, restoring order like nothing had ever gone wrong.Upstairs, Aria was dead asleep.Knock.Knock.She groaned, rolled over, then dragged herself to the door and opened it halfway, hair a mess, ey







