Crown and Consequences- Falling for the hunted billionaire의 모든 챕터: 챕터 91 - 챕터 100

Aria’s POVThe warehouse smelled of dust and metal, the faint tang of oil in the air mixing with something sharper, something acrid that made my chest tighten. My fingers were curled tightly around Rico’s arm as we moved through the dimly lit corridors. Every shadow seemed alive, every sound amplified the scrape of a crate, the hum of a distant generator, even our own breathing. My heart pounded like a war drum in my chest, but I forced myself to focus. I had to be present. For me, for her, for Rico.Rico’s voice cut through the tension, low and controlled. “Split into teams. Juno, you cover the left flank. I take Aria, we go right. Keep your eyes open. Don’t let him anticipate us.”I nodded, swallowing hard, though my throat felt dry. The plan sounded simple enough on paper, but this was Caspian. Simple wasn’t in his vocabulary.We moved quietly, stepping over scattered debris and weaving between crates, the faint echo of our footsteps bouncing off the metal walls. My hand remained o

Aria’s POVThe air was thick with tension, every breath a struggle as the dust and debris from Caspian’s trap slowly settled around us. My lungs ached, my hands trembled, but I refused to let fear take hold. I kept my eyes on Rico, watching him move like a predator through the chaos, his every motion calculated, precise, protective.“Stay close,” he murmured, voice low and firm. His hand found mine again, grounding me as if tethering my spiraling thoughts. I nodded, letting the warmth of his touch steady me, even as the adrenaline still surged.Caspian hadn’t waited long. The smirk on his face, visible through the haze of dust, was infuriatingly calm, like he had orchestrated the entire warehouse to his liking. But something in the way he held himself now just a subtle shift, almost imperceptible told me he was recalculating. He hadn’t anticipated our resilience.“Persistent,” he said, voice echoing with mock admiration. “I admire your courage, Rico… and you, little Aria. But courage

Aria’s POVThe morning sunlight filtered softly through the tall windows of the estate, painting golden streaks across the polished floors. I sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand over my stomach, feeling her movements like tiny waves against my fingertips. Every flutter, every subtle kick, reminded me that she was real, that she was safe, and that I had to stay strong for her.Rico was in the kitchen, I could hear the faint clatter of dishes and the low hum of the coffee machine. He had insisted on making breakfast for both of us, and the thought made my chest tighten not because I was hungry, but because of the tenderness in such a simple act. He had always been capable of showing the world a steel-faced resolve, but moments like this revealed the layers beneath: the man who could be soft, careful, devoted.“Morning,” he said as he appeared at the bedroom door, carrying a tray with two steaming mugs of coffee and a small plate of croissants. His hair was slightly tousled from s

Aria’s POVThe sun was just beginning to rise, casting a pale glow across the estate’s manicured gardens. I sat on the balcony with a mug of tea in my hands, the warmth seeping into my palms as I stared out at the city skyline. Manhattan was alive below me, buzzing with its usual chaos, but up here, in the quiet of the estate, the world felt still. For the first time in weeks, I allowed myself to simply breathe.My stomach fluttered slightly, and I reached down to rest my hand over it. She was awake, I realized, and moving with the same stubborn energy that made her father impossible to keep up with. A small smile tugged at my lips as I imagined her little hands and feet moving with purpose, already curious about the world she was about to enter.Rico appeared silently behind me, his presence always somehow larger than life, even when he was just standing quietly. He draped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me back against his chest. I leaned into him, feeling the familiar warmth an

Aria’s POVThe morning air in Manhattan was crisp, carrying the faint tang of the river and the distant hum of the city coming to life. I stepped out onto the balcony, the warmth of the early sun brushing against my skin. My daughter was asleep in the nursery, her soft breathing the only sound within the house. Even with all the chaos of the past months, there was a calm now, one I didn’t take for granted.I sipped my tea slowly, letting the bitter warmth settle in my chest. The weight of the past—the betrayals, the threats, Caspian’s schemes, even the corporate battles—had begun to ease, replaced by this quiet, grounding moment. I could finally feel the rhythm of life again, the subtle cadence of ordinary days reclaiming their space.Rico appeared in the doorway, his morning suit abandoned in favor of a casual shirt and trousers, hair slightly tousled as if he’d just rolled out of bed. Even at ease, he carried the presence of a man who commanded the world around him, though now he se