Chapter 7 – Lines That Shouldn’t Be Crossed

The kindergarten playground buzzed with laughter and tiny feet pounding the ground.

Aria sat cross-legged under the shade of a tree, carefully arranging colorful blocks while Aiden hovered nearby, watching quietly.

“You can put the blue one here,” Aria said gently, patting the space beside her.

Aiden hesitated, then sat down. “Okay.”

She smiled, satisfied. “You always listen.”

Aiden shrugged. “It’s easier.”

Aria tilted her head, studying him the way only children could—without judgment, only curiosity. “Do you want to come to my house?”

Aiden froze.

“Just for one night,” she added quickly. “We’ll eat pancakes and aunty Lily lets us stay up late.”

His fingers twisted together. He liked the idea. Too much.

“I don’t know if I can,” he murmured.

“Why?” Aria asked softly.

Aiden opened his mouth—then shut it again.

Across the yard, May noticed the shift immediately. Aiden’s shoulders curled inward, his eyes darting anxiously toward the gate, as though expecting someone to appear.

May walked closer, crouching down to their level. “What’s going on, sweethearts?”

Aria looked up. “Mum, I want Aiden to sleep over.”

May smiled warmly at Aiden. “That sounds fun. What do you think?”

Aiden swallowed. “I… I have to ask.”

“Of course,” May said kindly. “You don’t have to decide now.”

Relief flooded his face.

From a distance, Damien watched the interaction, his expression unreadable.

Why did his son look calmer around that woman?

And why did it bother him so much that he felt… grateful?

That evening, the Stone residence felt colder than usual.

Vanessa stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her earrings, irritation simmering beneath her composed exterior. She had noticed it—the way Damien’s attention drifted lately. The way his eyes followed someone else.What bothered her more is that he never took any interest in her or even touched her before.

May Austin.

A woman who didn’t flirt. Didn’t fawn. Didn’t bend.

Vanessa’s fingers tightened around the edge of the vanity.

Down the hall, Aiden sat on his bed, hugging his pillow tightly. He could hear her heels clicking—slow, deliberate.

The door opened.

“Aiden,” Vanessa said calmly. “Why didn’t you tell me you made a new friend?”

Aiden’s heart raced. “I—I forgot.”

She stepped closer. “Forgetting is a bad habit.”

“I’m sorry.”

She smiled—but it was sharp. “You should be more careful. People don’t like boys who forget things.”

His eyes stung, but he nodded.

“Good,” she said softly. “Now sleep.”

She turned off the light and closed the door.

In the darkness, Aiden curled into himself, whispering the name that made him feel safe.

“Aria…”

At the same time, laughter filled May’s apartment.

Lily stood at the stove, stirring soup, while Aria danced around the living room with a plush toy.

“Mum! I’m a dragon!” she announced dramatically.

May laughed, watching her. “A very loud dragon.”

Lily glanced over. “She hasn’t stopped talking about Aiden since she got home.”

Aria nodded vigorously. “He’s nice. And quiet. And he smiles when I hold his hand.”

May’s smile softened. “That’s because you make people feel safe.”

Aria climbed onto her lap. “Mum… can Aiden really come over?”

May brushed her hair gently. “If his daddy agrees.”

Aria beamed. “He will. Daddy Damien is nice.”

May stilled.

“What did you call him?” she asked carefully.

Aria shrugged. “That’s what he said his name was.”

May leaned back, heart beating just a little faster.

Damien.

She hadn’t heard that name spoken aloud in years.

And yet—there it was again.

The following morning, Stone Global Holdings buzzed with unusual tension.

Daxton Stone had arrived.

The patriarch’s presence alone was enough to silence entire floors. Employees straightened, executives whispered, and even Damien adjusted his cufflinks unconsciously.

Daxton entered the boardroom, cane tapping against the floor, his sharp eyes scanning the room.

“Begin,” he said.

Midway through the briefing, a presentation caught his attention.

“Who prepared this?” Daxton interrupted suddenly.

A director cleared his throat. “That would be our new consultant. May Austin.”

Daxton leaned forward. “Austin?”

“Yes, sir. Her strategy increased projected profits by twelve percent.”

Silence.

“Bring her to me,” Daxton said calmly.

Minutes later, May stood before the man who controlled the Stone empire.

She met his gaze without fear.

“So,” Daxton said slowly, studying her. “You’re the woman everyone is whispering about.”

May inclined her head slightly. “I focus on results, sir. Not whispers.”

Something flickered in his eyes.

“Bold,” he murmured. “I like that.”

Damien watched from the corner of the room, surprised.

Most people crumbled under his grandfather’s scrutiny.

May did not.

Instead, she stood—unshaken, elegant, powerful.

Daxton tapped his cane thoughtfully. “Tell me, Miss Austin… what do you value most?”

May answered without hesitation. “Family. And dignity.”

The room went still.

Daxton smiled—slow and dangerous.

“Interesting,” he said. “Very interesting indeed.”

That evening, Damien received a call he hadn’t expected.

“Daddy,” Aiden whispered into the phone. “Can I… can I sleep at Aria’s house one day?”

Damien paused. “Why do you want to?”

“Because,” Aiden said quietly, “it’s warm there.”

Damien closed his eyes.

“Okay,” he said after a moment. “We’ll talk about it.”

Aiden smiled for the first time that day.

Across the city, Aria bounced excitedly as May hung up her phone.

“He said yes!” Aria squealed. “He said we can plan it!”

May stared at the screen, heart racing.

The lines were crossing now.

And there was no turning back.