All Chapters of Surrendered Desires: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

Ariana’s POVThe first thing I noticed when I walked into Daniel’s office was how cold it was. Not the air conditioning. Not the walls. Just… him. He stood when I entered, surprised. I hadn’t called ahead. Hadn’t texted. I wanted this moment unscripted — like the truth always should’ve been.His expression shifted fast — from professional concern to something softer, something rehearsed.“Ariana. This is unexpected.”I didn’t sit. I didn’t even take off my coat.“I don’t have long,” I said. “And I won’t stay if you try to make this about sympathy or control.”He raised an eyebrow. “Control?”I ignored the bait.“You remember the night I lost the baby?”The question hit like a slap. He didn’t flinch — Daniel never flinched — but his eyes twitched. Slightly.“Of course,” he said. “I haven’t forgotten.”“You never held me that night,” I said softly. “You came home. Took off your coat. Asked if I’d eaten.”“Ariana—”“I’m not here to argue,” I cut in. “I’m here to say this out loud. To sto

Ariana’s POVI didn’t light candles. I didn’t change clothes. I didn’t rehearse what I was going to say. I just left the front door unlocked and waited. The envelope sat on the kitchen island, untouched. Next to it, a glass of water I hadn’t drunk. Next to that, my phone — still open on the message from Crestview Medical. When the knock came, I didn’t flinch.I walked over, opened the door. Luca stood there. No flowers. No dramatic look. Just him. Hands in the pockets of his dark coat, eyes searching mine the way they always did when he sensed I was two seconds from breaking.“You sure?” he asked softly.I stepped back.“Come in.”He looked around as if stepping into a memory he wasn’t sure he had permission to keep. Nothing had changed, really. But everything felt different. I let him stand in the living room while I walked to the kitchen. Picked up the envelope. Held it in both hands like it was sacred and cursed all at once. “I found something,” I said.His brow furrowed.“About Da

Ariana’s POVThe envelope was plain. No return address. No signature. Just my name — typed. Slid under my apartment door like a ghost leaving a confession. At first, I thought it was more hate mail. Since the media began twisting the story, I’d received a parade of both sympathy and venom. People loved to choose sides, even when they didn’t know the full script. But when I opened it…Something in my gut shifted. Inside was a single sheet of paper. Typed. No flair. No flourish. Just truth.> “Ms. Cole — I used to work for the Luxe division’s PR department. I was part of the team Daniel secretly used to leak fabricated rumors about your leadership last year — that you were mentally unstable, unfit to manage a creative team, and suffering from post-traumatic episodes in meetings.”> “He used those rumors to push a temporary suspension of your access to the luxury contract, then spun the situation to make it seem like it was your idea to step back. You were painted as ‘burnt out’ so they

Ariana’s POVThe invitation came in a cream-colored envelope, slid under my apartment door like it was from a wedding planner instead of a man trying to erase me.Inside was a short letter:> “Ms. Cole — You are invited to a private negotiation session regarding settlement of divorce proceedings and all associated public allegations. The terms will include full financial release, luxury property rights, and brand equity return. In return, a confidentiality agreement will be expected.Kindly confirm your attendance.— D.C.”No lawyer’s name. No signature. Just Daniel. So neat. So polished. So desperate to rewrite the ending before the truth exploded. I showed it to Vanessa. She didn’t laugh.She just arched a brow and said, “They’re scared.”“Of what?”“You. Your voice. Your evidence. And now that therapist’s report? They’re trying to wrap this up before you ignite the entire system.”I folded the paper once. Then again. Then tore it down the center and said, “Let’s go.”The hotel suit

Luca’s POVThe courtroom was colder than I remembered. Not physically — just in energy. Marble walls. Wooden benches. Whispered judgments curled around corners like smoke. I sat outside the chamber door for ten minutes before they called me in. Vanessa had told me to breathe. To answer only what was asked. To stay composed. But how do you stay composed when you’re about to walk into the room where the woman you love had been broken—slowly, silently, strategically—by the man she once trusted most?I stood when they called my name. The court officer gestured toward the witness chair. I didn’t look at Daniel. Didn’t need to. I felt his presence like a shadow across the floor.“State your name for the record.”“Luca Moretti.”“Do you swear to tell the truth—”“I do.”The attorney, one of Vanessa’s sharpest partners, approached.“Mr. Moretti, how long have you known Mrs. Ariana Cole?”I looked at Ariana briefly. Then back to the front.“Thirteen years. We met when we were both twenty-one.