All Chapters of Crown and Consequences- Falling for the hunted billionaire: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Aria's PovWhen I opened my eyes, the room was bright and for a second, I had forgotten where I was. The air smelled faintly like disinfectant and lemon polish, and there was a blanket tangled around my legs that wasn’t mine. Then slowly, the memories last night began to flood in and my stomach turned so fast it made me dizzy.I sat up on the couch and blinked hard. The throw pillow had left lines across my cheek. The living room was quiet except for the low hum of the air conditioner and the clock on the wall said it was a little past nine.Rubbing my eyes, I stood ignoring my weak knees. For a moment, I just stood there, not sure what to do with myself. Then I spotted Dane standing by the hallway, talking quietly into a walkie-talkie.“Dane,” I called out, my voice cracking.He turned immediately. “Yes, ma’am.”I hated how that word sounded right now as it made me feel older and helpless all at once.“How is he?” I asked. “Is he awake?”Dane shook his head and sighed. “Not yet. Dr.

Aria’s POVI thought I imagined the words and I wasn’t sure if they were real or something my head wanted to hear.But seconds later, he murmured again. The expression on his face didn’t change much, his jaw twitched and his lips parted slightly as if he were caught between sleep and something else but that was about that. He was obviously dreaming but still, something in the fragility of tone made my chest twist. I stood there for a long minute, just watching him and trying to decide whether or not to stay. “Rico?” I said softly, not sure why I was talking to him if he was asleep. “It's just a dream.”I honestly don't know why I said that. His hand shifted a little on the sheets and his fingers twitched but his grip never loosened. I should’ve pulled my hand and left the room but I was too scared to move. Too worried I would wake him so I sank into the edge of the bed beside him. “He’s fine. He’s asleep. You don’t need to sit here staring like some kind of idiot.” I mentally yell

Finally alone, I kicked off my shoes and took a deep breath, unsure if I was ready for another kind of truth. I sat on the edge of the bed and opened the attachment and in it was an old photo where my father stood in the background wearing a security uniform and in front of him stood another man I recognized as Rico’s dad. He looked younger, smiling beside a car. It could have been an ordinary moment, two men captured in their professional element, except for the caption written neatly at the bottom of the image.Final detail briefing, 7:42 PM.My eyes moved over it again and again as if repetition might reveal something else but before I could think more, my phone rang. “I found inconsistencies in the report from that night,” Mr Smith said. “The night Mr. Zane was killed, according to the original records, your father was listed as off duty, but we were able to get a witness and he witness claimed he was seen near the scene.”I felt my breath catch. “Are you sure?”“I checked twice

Sunlight was streaming through the curtains when I woke up. As I stirred in bed, my belly immediately signaled me that I hadn't had my favourite in a while. I could almost taste it on my tongue and just the thought of it made me push myself upright. My body complained, but I ignored it knowing that the only solution to this would be finding my way to the kitchen. I moved carefully, trying not to wake Rico since it was still early in the morning. He needed as much rest as he could get before resuming work. The kitchen was empty and inviting and I paused for a moment by the door taking in the big view. “I will never be poor in my life,” I whispered into the quiet morning. Quickly, I set about preparing my breakfast. I liked the act of cooking and measuring, stirring, tasting and all of those things distracted me from my racing thoughts. The baby kicked gently as I whisked the eggs, and I smiled softly, letting the warmth of the morning settle around me.I was just turning the pan when

Aria’s POVI slammed the door behind me and dropped onto the bed. My chest felt tight, as if someone had squeezed it and forgotten to let go. His words replayed in my head sharper than the sting of any slap.“Are you going to kill me like your father killed mine?”I buried my face in my palms. He had said it without hesitation or faltering. He had looked straight at me. Cold and sharp. How could he even imagine that of me? After everything, after the nights I had spent worrying, caring, helping and trying to trust him, he thought I could do something like that?I forced myself to sit up and pace the room. My hands trembled and I grabbed the glass of water from the table, but my fingers shook so badly that it slipped from my hand. It hit the floor and shattered, glass scattering like broken thoughts. I barely noticed.I whispered to the quiet room, my voice hoarse. “I thought we were getting along. I thought he was finally seeing me for who I am.”Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to