LOGINVANESSA'S POV
I found her by accident, or at least that's what I would have said if anyone asked.
The east wing was quiet by the time I wandered down that corridor, most of the family having retreated to their respective corners of the estate after lunch, the forced cheerfulness of the day finally allowed to drop from everyone's faces. I told myself I was simply looking for a book I'd left in the library weeks ago.
The truth was c
ARIA'S POVAfter a lot of calls, I was able to bring down the post, privately investigating the company that published it.I went back to my work as if nothing had happened. After several hours of cross-checking Dominic's work, I was satisfied and decided to take a break when the door opened without a knock.Dominic.He shut the door behind him gently, his eyes finding mine. He walked across the room in a few strides, his phone in his hands and his jaw set in a way that told me he must have seen the news."You came," I said, though it came out more surprised than I intended."Of course I came." He set his phone down on my desk, the article still glowing on the screen. "This isn't just embarrassing. It's dangerous. If the board believes this marriage is a farce, every ounce of stability we bought Thursday disappears overnight.""I know that.""The investors who came back," he continued, pacing slightly now, restless energy radiating off him in a way I hadn't seen since the hospital hal
ARIA'S POVThe car ride to the clinic was quiet, the same careful, practiced silence that had become the default language between us over the past week.I stared out the window, watching the city blur past, and reminded myself for the hundredth time that this was fine. This was the arrangement. Distance wasn't cruelty, it was simply the shape of what we'd agreed to. While acting even more lovey dovey in the house.I really wanted to move back to my place but Granny insisted I stay for a week. I really enjoyed my stay, but I can't deny I missed the office even more. Dominic was forced to take charge briefly till I was “permitted” to go out.The pregnancy is seven weeks already. The thought still felt strange every time I let myself sit with it — a whole person, small and stubborn, growing steadily inside me despite everything trying to derail it. Ryan. The headlines. The collapse in the lobby. Whatever fear had gripped me that morning in the car with Dominic, whispering something's wron
VANESSA'S POVI found her by accident, or at least that's what I would have said if anyone asked.The east wing was quiet by the time I wandered down that corridor, most of the family having retreated to their respective corners of the estate after lunch, the forced cheerfulness of the day finally allowed to drop from everyone's faces. I told myself I was simply looking for a book I'd left in the library weeks ago.The truth was closer to curiosity. I wanted to see it for myself, whatever it actually was.The door to Aria's room stood slightly ajar, and I slowed without quite deciding to, some old, familiar instinct keeping me silent as I approached.She was asleep on the chaise near the window, curled slightly on her side, exhaustion still evident even in rest. And Dominic sat beside her, close enough that his knee nearly touched the cushion, a light throw blanket held loosely i
RYAN'S POVThe photo came through at 6:47 in the morning, and I stared at it for a full ten minutes before I trusted myself to react.Aria Cole. Standing outside some anonymous courthouse in a pale blue dress, hand in hand with Dominic Ashford, both of them wearing matching gold bands that caught the morning light just right for whichever paparazzi had gotten close enough to catch it.Married.I set my phone face-down on the marble counter and poured myself a drink I had no business having before eight in the morning, watching the amber liquid catch the light the same way that ring had.She actually did it.I laughed, short and humorless, the sound bouncing off the empty walls of my penthouse — a penthouse I could barely afford anymore, filled with furniture I'd bought to impress a woman who apparently preferred a man who could shut down entire hospital wings on a whim.I wasn't jealous. That was important to establish, even to myself. Jealousy was for men who'd lost something worth h
DOMINIC'S POVSelena!Her ghost still haunts me, whoever dug up her old picture has to have a game in mind, attempting to derail my plans or stir my memory. And I hate that they succeeded.I'm standing here in the courtroom, out of necessity because I couldn't go back on my words about protecting Aria.The courthouse was smaller than I expected, all beige walls and fluorescent lighting, nothing like the extravagant affair my mother would have insisted on if she'd known the truth of what this actually was, no one can know what this actually is.I stood near the window, watching the parking lot below, still turning that photograph over in my mind despite every effort to set it aside. Jorah had found nothing further overnight. Just Silence because the person knows exactly what they are doing.I forced it down. Today wasn't the day to chase ghosts.The door opened, and Aria stepped in with Claire beside her, dressed simply, a pale blue dress instead of white, nothing about the moment rese
DOMINIC'S POVIt took me a while to register what she had just said. Something is wrong with the baby?I stare down at her wide eyed, feeling stupid at how helpless and Inexperienced I feel right now.Panic rise and fell in my chest at the thought of how true what she is saying might be."Hold on," I said, though the words felt useless even as I spoke them, utterly inadequate against whatever fear had flooded her face. "We're almost there."Her hand found mine weakly, fingers cold, gripping with a strength that belied how fragile she looked pressed against my chest. "Dominic…" she said frayly."I'm here." I tightened my hold on her, forcing my voice steady despite the fear clawing up my own throat now, matching hers. "I'm not letting anything happen. Not to you. Not to the baby."The car screeched to a stop outside the emergency entrance before she could respond further, and I was moving before the driver had even fully braked, carrying her out into the harsh fluorescent glare of the
DOMINIC’S POVShe broke the kiss almost immediately—brief and teasing. The taste of her lingered on my tongue, sour like the whiskey she'd both been drinking. I wanted to pull her back in, to finish the fire she started, but that mischievous smile stopped me cold. She knew exactly what she was doi
DOMINIC'S POV“The VIP section you reserved is currently occupied, and there is no vacant section,” the hostess walking behind me hurriedly explains.I know I came out of the blue, without my usual reservation. But I didn't prepare for no room at all.I kept walking, remnants of annoyance starting
ARIA’S POVSilence swallowed the entire hall. For a heartbeat, no one moved. Not even Ryan.The words hung in the air like a guillotine.Then just like that, the words traveled through the room twice before they could register in people’s brains. Whispers erupted—first confusion, then shock, then
ARIA’S POV I can't find him anywhere. I've searched the entire mansion, through the grand halls, the glittering ballroom, even the gardens where fairy lights twinkled like false promises.Now I'm heading to the third floor, my heels sinking into the thick carpets that line these quieter corridors







