Chapter Twelve

"I confessed to taking money from him," I said. "To escape.". 

He was keeping tabs on all the stories, so I took $5,000. There was no indication of a bad feeling in my mind during that time. I used it to disappear.”. 

There was an extended silence from Damian. "You did what you had to do.". 

My eyes were filled with tears. "Don't you think I'm a bad person?". 

He gave a slow, shaken head. "No," he replied. I think you're a survivor. I think you're brave.”. 

He raised his hand towards my cheek and gently scraped a tear from my skin. 

“I love you,” he said. 

I froze. 

“You… what?”. 

“I love you, Aria. 

That hasn't changed. Not after your past. Not after tonight.”. 

Exactly as that, an internal object broke loose for me. 

I embraced him, keeping my face in his neck. “I have affection for you as well.” Then, she let out an expression. 

For a prolonged duration, we simply maintained our relationship. 

But peace was short-lived. 

A call was placed on Damian later that night. 

As I observed, his face froze. 

“What's it?” I asked. 

After ending the call, he looked up at me and said, "My mother.". 

“What did she say?”. 

“She said she has proof. 

Your fraudulent paperwork was used to secure a job at your previous educational institution.'". 

I froze. 

“I didn't,” I said instantly. 

“I believe you. 

She intends to disclose it publicly. She wants to destroy you.”. 

Then I pondered the question, "Why?" and felt panicked once more. 

"Her being that she can't control is the only thing I have in my life.". 

Standing and moving at a steady pace, I contemplated. "What's our task?". 

“She wants you gone, Aria. 

She desires me to publicly end our relationship. Or she'll release everything.”. 

“She's bluffing.”. 

Looking at me, Damian asked. "You're certain?!". 

I bit my lip. “No.”. 

He approached. "Now we must move forward from her.". 

I gazed at him. "What?" is how I responded. 

He pondered for an extended period.' 

Following that, he declared: "Our engagement is no secret.". Tomorrow.”. 

I blinked. “What?”. 

"She will not be able to paint you as a phase if we show our seriousness.". 

If she attempts to attack you, it will appear desperate. 

Is it accurate to say that we are pretending? 

He softly replied with a "no" reply, clarifying that he meant marrying Aria. 

For real.”. 

My breath caught. 

Was this love? 

Or a war strategy? 

Aria. 

“Marry me.”. 

The words echoed in my mind like a siren.' The sound of my heart racing in my ears was too loud to be heard anywhere else in the room. 

I gazed at Damian, uncertain if I was telling the truth. "Are you serious?". 

He didn't even flinch. “Yes. One hundred percent.”. 

With my arms crossed over me, I asked if your mother was going to end my life. "Why?". 

He answered with a "No" and moved closer to his own words. "I love you.". 

I am not interested in losing you. I will do it if this is the way to defend us.". 

I said "This is insane," but my voice shook. 

He reached for my hand, his eyes firmly planted. "I'm shocked to see you leave when I know I'd never meet anyone like you again.". It doesn't matter if it's hasty. I want you.”. 

God. 

He meant it. His eyes revealed that this was not a mere business decision. It was real. Wild. Terrifying. 

"If I were to say no, what would happen?" I quipped. 

"I'll still stand up for you," he said softly, but emphasized his desire to do the right thing.". 

Let me be your advocate and demonstrate my loyalty to you.' 

My breath hitched. 

Mine. 

One word, that one word sent shivers down my spine. Possessive. Fierce. And yet, so warm. So safe. 

I whispered, "I'm not dressed yet," in an idiotic tone. 

He sported a smile. "I own several shops.". By morning, you'll have ten dresses in your possession. 

The first time I laughed was that night, and I couldn't stop. It was like a foreign sensation in my throat after all the chaos. 

Once more, I fixed my gaze and glanced at him with suspicion. "Aren't you just trying to protect me?" could be the answer. You want this?”. 

He slapped my cheek, saying: "This is the only part of me that wants this... every tear in your face... I want it all.". 

That's the reason I had to say it. 

“Okay.”. 

His eyebrows lifted. “Okay?”. 

I nodded. “Let's do it. Let's get married.”. 

A smile that radiated his entire face could have been the most radiant sight in town. I was swung around in a hug and given ten minutes to be kissed by him. 

He whispered, "We're going to meet tomorrow," in a grim look. 

“Tomorrow,” I whispered back. 

Yet, as expected, the situation was not perfect. 

By morning, the world was already in flames. 

The headlines hit first. 

“Billionaire Damian Cole Engaged? 

Who's the Mystery Woman?”. 

Does the term "Runaway Bride" refer to a career con artist? Or not? 

Damian's fiancee' story is brought to light. 

Photos of me. Of Dylan. Of my past. 

Somehow, they had everything. 

As I lay in bed, my hands were shaking as I aimed at the tablet. 

With his phone on the couch, Damian ran into the room and warned that his mother might leak it. 

"I whispered, 'She did... 

He stroked his hair. "We'll tackle it.". 

My heart raced. "How's it going, buddy?". 

The mugshot featuring Dylan's former boyfriend being arrested for assault is now available to the public. "It...". 

“Good,” he growled. 

“Good?” I gawked at him. 

They intend to ruin you with this. 

But this isn't shameful. You survived. You walked through hell. And now you're here—with me.”. 

“But”. 

"He sat with me and grabbed my face. He's not your enemy." I said softly. 

My mother, the media, and Dylan are not going to take you away from me. 

I ceased to cry. "Aren't you mad?". 

"I'm feeling a bit furious," he said in a sardonic tone. "Assuming you were not offended.". 

At them.”. 

"I took a heavy gust of wind. What's next?" I inquired. 

“We go out.”. 

I stared. “What?”. 

“We go out. 

Together. In front of everyone.”. 

“Damian, I can't”. 

“Yes, you can. 

He pulled me towards the top, showing that you are stronger than you think. "Put on something you love.". Your preferred café is our destination. We will be there for you! 

“But the cameras”. 

He urged them to come and see who you truly are. 

And somehow, I believed him. 

My attire was a plain black dress.' Nothing flashy. No makeup except mascara. There, he held my hand tightly. 

And yes, the paparazzi swarmed. The flashes were blinding. The questions were cruel. 

But Damian never let go. 

Inside the café, people stared. Whispers followed us. 

I tried to ignore it. 

Until I laid eyes on the woman in the corner. 

Older. Elegant. Cold. 

Damian's mother. 

With each sip of tea, she resembled someone who had set fire to my life. 

He saw her too. 

“Ignore her,” he whispered. 

But I couldn't. 

As she approached, she moved towards us in a queenlike fashion. 

With a smooth voice, she whispered, "Is it possible for you to speak with me alone?". 

Damian moved between us. “No.”. 

She looked past him. Straight at me. 

“Just one minute, dear. 

Perhaps I should tell you something.' 

I didn't respond. 

She smiled, knowing and sly. 

“It's about your father.”. 

The air left my lungs. 

My father? 

Who is the individual I haven't encountered since I was eight? 

“What about him?” I asked. 

With a wider smile, she proceeded. "Let me explain.". 

Damian looked at me with a shiver in his head. "Aria," he said. 

But I was already moving. 

Already stepping toward her. 

The tone of her voice conveyed a message that could potentially alter everything.