Chapter 4: The Sister Who Came Back

Ariana stood motionless outside Damien’s office, her fingers wrapped tightly around the project file in her hands.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed.

Only moments ago, Damien had looked at her differently. His gaze had lingered longer than usual, not with suspicion but with curiosity. It was as though he wanted to ask a hundred questions but didn’t know where to begin.

She took a deep breath and knocked.

“Come in.”

Damien was standing beside the floor-to-ceiling windows, studying the architectural model of Riverside Towers.

Without turning around, he said, “Close the door.”

Ariana hesitated for a second before doing as he asked.

“I reviewed your latest proposal,” Damien began.

“You removed the glass bridge connecting the two towers.”

“I did.”

“Why?”

Ariana walked toward the model and pointed to the narrow space between the buildings.

“The original design is beautiful, but it isn’t practical. During heavy storms, the bridge could become a safety concern. I thought it was better to prioritize functionality.”

Damien looked at her for a long moment before smiling.

“You know, every consultant I’ve hired tried to impress me by agreeing with my ideas.”

He paused.

“You’re the first person who had the courage to tell me I was wrong.”

Ariana couldn’t help smiling.

“I wasn’t trying to prove you wrong.”

“I know.”

There was a warmth in Damien’s voice she hadn’t heard before.

“And that’s exactly why I value your opinion.”

Before Ariana could respond, Daniel knocked and entered.

“Sir, your ten o’clock appointment has arrived.”

Damien frowned.

“I don’t remember scheduling anyone.”

Daniel looked uncomfortable.

“She insisted it was important.”

“Who is she?”

Before Daniel could answer, a familiar voice echoed from the doorway.

“I hope I’m not interrupting.”

Ariana’s smile disappeared instantly.

Victoria.

She stood confidently in a designer dress, her expensive handbag hanging from one shoulder, a bright smile spread across her face.

Her eyes met Ariana’s for a split second.

The smile remained.

But the hatred behind it was impossible to miss.

“Ariana,” Victoria said sweetly. “It’s been so long.”

Ariana stared at her sister without saying a word.

Six years.

Six years without a phone call.

Without an apology.

And now she was here.

“What are you doing here?” Ariana finally asked.

Victoria ignored the question and walked toward Damien.

“You must be Mr. Blackwood.”

She extended her hand gracefully.

“I’m Victoria Cole.”

Damien shook her hand politely.

“A pleasure.”

“I’ve heard wonderful things about your company.”

“I wasn’t aware we had a meeting.”

“We don’t.”

Victoria laughed softly.

“I was in the area and thought I’d introduce myself.”

Daniel looked confused.

Damien remained calm.

“I’m afraid I’m in the middle of discussing an important project.”

Victoria nodded as if she understood.

Then she turned toward Ariana.

“I actually came to see my sister.”

Ariana almost laughed.

Now she remembered she had a sister?

“I don’t have anything to discuss with you.”

Victoria’s smile faltered for the first time.

“You’re still angry.”

“You stole my fiancé.”

The room fell silent.

Daniel looked down awkwardly.

Damien’s eyes shifted between the two women.

Victoria sighed dramatically.

“Must we keep talking about the past?”

“The past?”

Ariana’s voice trembled.

“You destroyed my life.”

“I fell in love.”

“You betrayed me.”

Victoria folded her arms.

“Ryan chose me.”

“No.”

Ariana shook her head.

“You both made a choice.”

Damien remained silent, carefully observing every word.

He had never seen Ariana lose her composure before.

The calm, professional woman standing beside him had disappeared.

In her place stood someone carrying years of pain.

Victoria glanced at Damien before lowering her voice.

“I only came because Mother isn’t well.”

Ariana’s expression didn’t change.

“She wants to see you.”

“I have nothing to say to her.”

“She’s still your mother.”

“My mother chose you.”

Victoria bit her lip.

“You can’t hate us forever.”

“I don’t hate you.”

Ariana looked directly into her sister’s eyes.

“I simply don’t need you anymore.”

Those words hit Victoria harder than any insult.

Without another word, Ariana turned and walked toward the door.

“Ariana.”

She stopped but didn’t look back.

“I hope one day you understand what forgiveness feels like.”

Ariana smiled bitterly.

“I forgave you years ago.”

Victoria looked relieved.

“But forgiveness doesn’t mean giving someone another chance to hurt you.”

She walked out of the office without another glance.

Damien remained standing in silence.

Victoria forced another smile.

“I’m sorry you had to witness that.”

“I’ve learned that every family has its complications.”

Victoria nodded.

“Ariana has always been… emotional.”

For the first time since she arrived, Damien’s expression hardened.

“That isn’t the impression I have of her.”

Victoria blinked.

“I beg your pardon?”

“In the short time we’ve worked together, Miss Cole has proven herself to be intelligent, composed, and exceptionally professional.”

Victoria’s smile became strained.

“I’m sure she’s made quite an impression.”

“She has.”

The answer came so quickly that Victoria’s heart sank.

She had expected Damien to be indifferent.

Instead…

He was defending Ariana.

“I should leave,” Victoria said.

Damien gave a polite nod.

“Daniel will see you out.”

As soon as the office door closed, Damien returned to his desk.

Something about that conversation bothered him.

Victoria had spoken as though Ariana were difficult.

Yet everything he had witnessed suggested the opposite.

One of them wasn’t telling the truth.

And his instincts told him it wasn’t Ariana.

That evening, Ariana arrived home exhausted.

Emma ran into her arms.

“Mommy!”

“What happened today?”

“We made paper houses at school!”

Ethan walked into the living room carrying a notebook.

“I got full marks on my maths test.”

Ariana kissed both of them.

“I’m so proud of you.”

For a little while, the weight of the day disappeared.

After dinner, once the twins were asleep, Ariana sat alone on the balcony with a cup of tea.

Her thoughts drifted back to Victoria.

Why had she appeared now?

After six years of silence, it couldn’t be a coincidence.

Her phone buzzed.

An unknown number.

She almost ignored it but answered anyway.

“Hello?”

“Miss Cole?”

It was Daniel.

“Mr. Blackwood asked me to let you know that tomorrow’s meeting has been moved to the Riverside project site. He’d like you there by nine.”

“I’ll be there.”

Daniel hesitated.

“Oh… and one more thing.”

“Yes?”

“He specifically requested that no one else attend.”

Ariana frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“He wants the meeting to be just the two of you.”

After the call ended, Ariana stared into the darkness.

A private meeting.

With Damien.

Her instincts told her it had nothing to do with architecture.

Somehow…

She knew tomorrow would change everything.