Chapter 1: The Man Who Didn’t Know

Six Years Later…

The conference room buzzed with anticipation as employees whispered among themselves.

“Have you heard? Blackwood Holdings just acquired the project.”

“I heard the new CEO is ruthless.”

“They say he’s worth billions.”

Ariana Cole ignored the chatter.

She adjusted the stack of blueprints in her hands and focused on her laptop. She had spent six years rebuilding her life from the ashes of betrayal. There was no room for distractions—not even billionaire CEOs.

Her phone vibrated.

Emma Calling…

A smile softened her face.

She answered immediately.

“Mommy!” Emma’s cheerful voice echoed through the speaker.

“When are you coming home? Ethan said he’ll beat me at chess again.”

Ariana laughed.

“Tell your brother I’m bringing ice cream. Whoever wins gets the biggest scoop.”

“No fair!” Emma giggled.

“You promised.”

“I’ll be home before dinner.”

“I love you, Mommy.”

“I love you too, sweetheart.”

She ended the call with a smile that faded the moment her manager hurried into the room.

“Everyone, please stand.”

The room fell silent.

“The CEO of Blackwood Holdings has arrived.”

Footsteps echoed across the polished marble floor.

Ariana looked up.

And the world stopped.

Tall.

Broad shoulders.

Dark tailored suit.

Piercing gray eyes.

Her fingers tightened around the edge of the table.

No…

It couldn’t be.

The stranger from six years ago.

The man whose face she had tried so hard to forget.

The father of her children.

He looked exactly the same.

If anything, he was even more handsome.

More commanding.

More dangerous.

He stood at the head of the conference table with effortless confidence.

“Good morning.”

His deep voice sent an unwanted shiver through Ariana.

“I’m Damien Blackwood.”

His gaze swept across the room.

When his eyes landed on Ariana, he paused for the briefest second.

A strange expression crossed his face.

Confusion?

Recognition?

No.

It disappeared as quickly as it came.

“I look forward to working with all of you.”

Ariana lowered her eyes before he could study her any longer.

He doesn’t remember me.

The thought should have brought relief.

Instead, it hurt more than she expected.

To her, that night had changed everything.

To him…

She had been nothing more than a stranger.

An hour later, the meeting ended.

“Ariana.”

She froze.

Damien was standing behind her.

“I’ve reviewed your portfolio.”

She turned slowly.

“Yes, Mr. Blackwood?”

“I prefer Damien.”

She forced a polite smile.

“Very well… Damien.”

“I’ve seen your previous designs. They’re impressive.”

“Thank you.”

“I’d like you to lead the architectural team on the Riverside Towers project.”

Her eyes widened.

“The lead architect?”

“I only choose the best.”

For a brief moment, their eyes locked.

Something flickered in his expression again.

Almost as though he were searching his memory.

“Have we met before?” he asked quietly.

Ariana’s heartbeat thundered.

“No.”

The lie slipped out effortlessly.

He studied her face for another second before nodding.

“I must be mistaken.”

She watched him walk away, her knees suddenly weak.

That was too close.

Much too close.

That evening…

Ariana pulled into the driveway of the small house she shared with her twins.

The front door burst open before she could get out of the car.

“Mommy!”

Emma launched herself into Ariana’s arms.

Ethan followed more calmly, though the smile on his face was just as bright.

“Did you bring the ice cream?” Emma asked hopefully.

Ariana laughed.

“It’s in the car.”

The twins raced outside, arguing over who would carry the shopping bags.

Mrs. Harper, their elderly neighbor, smiled from across the fence.

“They’re growing up so fast.”

“They are.”

Mrs. Harper hesitated.

“Ariana… there was a black luxury car parked outside your house this afternoon.”

Ariana frowned.

“What?”

“It stayed for nearly an hour.”

“Did you see who was inside?”

The older woman shook her head.

“The windows were tinted.”

A chill ran down Ariana’s spine.

She quickly ushered the twins inside.

After dinner, once Ethan and Emma had fallen asleep, Ariana stood by the living room window.

The street was quiet.

Empty.

She sighed in relief.

Maybe it was nothing.

Maybe someone had simply gotten lost.

Then…

Headlights appeared at the end of the street.

A sleek black Rolls-Royce glided silently toward her house before stopping directly outside.

The driver’s door opened.

A man stepped out.

Even from a distance, Ariana recognized the expensive suit.

Damien Blackwood.

Her breath caught in her throat.

Why was he here?

And more importantly…

How had he found her?