All Chapters of Crown and Consequences- Falling for the hunted billionaire: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

Aria’s POVThe following morning, the sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the penthouse, but I hardly noticed it. My mind was already racing through a hundred possibilities, each more complicated than the last. Ever since the encounter at the overlook, nothing felt simple anymore. The third brother was patient, calculated, and unnervingly confident in his ability to test me. But I wasn’t going to let him unsettle me not when so much was at stake.I ran my hands over the curve of my stomach, feeling her move. My daughter. Even in the quiet, I could sense her growing strength, her little kicks reminding me that every choice I made wasn’t just for me anymore. For the first time in months, fear had transformed into a sharp, steady focus.Rico appeared in the doorway, dressed in a crisp shirt, sleeves rolled up, tie loosened just enough to show the tension he carried. He didn’t say anything, just leaned against the frame and watched me with that intensity in his steel-gray eyes.

Aria’s POVThe morning light filtered gently through the tall windows of the penthouse, but I barely noticed it. My mind was already awake, spinning through plans, contingencies, and strategies. After the night’s developments, I could feel the tension easing only slightly. The third Zane brother had taken the bait we’d laid, and while that gave us some advantage, it also meant the game had just begun.I sat at the study desk, laptop open, analyzing the latest intel Juno had provided. Lines of code, encrypted communications, flagged accounts everything pointed to calculated patience. He wasn’t rushing. He was testing boundaries, seeing how far we’d let him probe. And I wasn’t going to let him push me, not when so much was at stake.Rico appeared at the doorway quietly, his presence grounding me instantly. His sharp steel-gray eyes softened the second they met mine. “You’re already up?” he asked, though his voice carried no reproach—just that familiar mix of concern and quiet admiration

Aria’s POVThe early morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of the city mingled with the faint tang of the river below. I sat on the balcony of the penthouse, wrapped in a soft blanket, letting my thoughts wander as the first light of day stretched across Manhattan. Normally, mornings were quiet a chance to gather my energy before the chaos but today, even the sunrise couldn’t calm the tension in my chest.Rico hadn’t joined me yet. I wasn’t surprised; he rarely allowed himself to slow down until everything was organized, accounted for, and monitored. I understood why. But even knowing that, I felt the pang of isolation that came from being awake while the world or at least the part I could control was still settling.I rested a hand over my stomach instinctively, feeling her shift as if in response. A small kick, almost impatient, reminding me that she was already part of this complicated, dangerous world. My daughter. Every decision I made, every move I orchestrated, wasn’t

Aria’s POVThe late afternoon sun filtered through the curtains, painting the room in a golden hue, but I barely noticed it. My focus was entirely on the stack of files in front of me, a mix of corporate reports, financial statements, and encrypted communications. Each page represented a thread in the web we were weaving around the third Zane brother threads I intended to control, manipulate, and ultimately use to our advantage.I pressed a hand to my stomach instinctively, feeling her shift inside me. My daughter was a constant reminder of why I couldn’t afford mistakes. Every decision I made, every move I orchestrated, was not just for survival it was to ensure the life she deserved. The weight of that responsibility pressed on me like nothing else ever had, but strangely, it made me sharper, faster, more relentless.Rico entered quietly, closing the door behind him. He leaned against the frame, observing me with that calm intensity that always seemed to simultaneously soothe and un

Aria’s POVThe morning was quiet, almost deceptively so. The city outside my window was already humming with activity, but up here in the penthouse, it felt like the world had paused, giving me a brief moment to breathe. I sat on the edge of the bed, the soft fabric of my maternity dress stretching gently over my growing belly, my fingers brushing across her tiny kicks. Each movement made my chest tighten not with fear, but with a fierce, protective love.Today was another critical day. Juno had sent a series of alerts overnight, subtle but deliberate signals from the third Zane brother. It was becoming clear that he was testing the waters, gauging our reactions, measuring our strength. And we weren’t going to give him the satisfaction of underestimating us.Rico entered the room quietly, carrying two cups of coffee. The rich aroma filled the air, grounding me in a way that nothing else could. He handed me one cup, his fingers brushing mine, and I felt a familiar warmth spread through