LOGIN11:35 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
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
Upstairs in Damian’s room, Selene stood before the mirror, her reflection glowing in the soft evening light.Her lips curled into a slow, devilish smile — the kind that didn’t reach her eyes.She adjusted the strap of her red satin dress, tilting her head just enough to admire her handiwork. Every
Saturday arrived like a scene straight out of a glossy magazine.The Carter estate shimmered under the late afternoon sun, draped in gold ribbons, floating candles, and fresh white roses. Guests filled the grand garden—fashion icons, business elites, relatives, and a swarm of paparazzi waiting for
Across the restaurant, Damian and Selene were seated by the fountain, laughing over breakfast. Damian, for once, looked relaxed no ice in his expression, no sharp tone, just warmth and ease. The sight almost made Aria laugh out loud.“How cute,” she muttered under her breath.As she approached, Se
The weekend getaway was over.So was the peace that came with it.Back at the Cross mansion, the air carried its usual quiet tension, a kind of stillness that made even the walls seem to listen. Grandma Eleanor sat elegantly on the sofa, draped in her cream shawl, flipping through a magazine as if







