Chapter 51 - Mother’s Words

Damien POVMy mother hasn't left her house in years. Last I saw her was when I invited Aria over her apartment. The fact that she's standing in my lobby, perfectly composed in Chanel armor, means whatever she has to say will destroy me; but alas, I was wrong. "Not here." I glance at the receptionist already pretending not to stare. "Upstairs."Henry starts to follow, but my mother's look stops him cold. This is between us.The executive floor feels different now—like I'm already a ghost haunting my own empire. I lead her into a private conference room, close the blinds. She doesn't sit. Neither do I."I've been calling for weeks," she says without preamble. "You haven't answered.""I've been busy.""Being eviscerated in the press?" Her tone is sharp. "I read the articles, Damien. The board investigation. The inappropriate relationship with David Holt's daughter." She pauses. "The woman whose family you swore to destroy."My jaw tightens. "If you came to lecture me""I came because yo

Last Updated : 2025-11-18

Chapter 52 - Flashback

Aria POVThe apartment is dark when I get home, which means Sophie's still at her evening yoga class. Good. I need a few minutes to process before she interrogates me about why I look like I've been crying.I drop my bag by the door and head straight for the kitchen, pulling out the cheap wine we keep for emergencies. This qualifies.Three weeks at TechVista Solutions and I'm finally finding my rhythm. The work is challenging but fair. My colleagues respect me. Julian treats me like an equal, not a project or a pawn. I'm building something real.So why does my chest feel hollow?I pour wine into a mug—we still haven't unpacked the wine glasses from the move—and settle on the couch. My laptop sits on the coffee table where I left it this morning. Against my better judgment, I open it and pull up the business news.The headline still makes my stomach clench: CROSS CEO TAKES LEAVE OF ABSENCE IN WAKE OF LEADERSHIP CRISISI've read the article four times today. It doesn't get easie

Last Updated : 2025-11-18

Chapter 53 - What Henry Sees

Aria’s POVI answered Henry’s call and he pleaded we met to discuss something important.The coffee shop Henry chose is deliberately neutral—a place neither of us has been before, halfway between my apartment and Cross Tower. When I arrive, he’s already at a corner table, looking like he hasn’t slept in days.“Thanks for coming.” He stands as I approach, and I see the relief wash over his face. “I wasn’t sure you would.”“Of course I would.” I take off my coat and sit, offering a small smile. “Sophie’s been worried about you both. And honestly, so have I.”His shoulders relax slightly. A waitress appears, and I order chamomile tea—something to calm the nervous flutter in my chest.When she leaves, Henry leans forward. “He’s not himself, Aria. I know you’ve been keeping your distance, and I understand why. But this isn’t just—he’s really struggling.”“I know.” I wrap my hands around the edge of the table. “I’ve seen the news. The leave of absence. I just—I needed space to figure out wh

Last Updated : 2025-11-20

Chapter 57 – Forgiveness and Choice

Aria’s POVI drive home slowly after leaving the coffee shop, Henry’s words echoing in my head. When I finally get home, Sophie’s waiting with worried eyes and Chinese takeout. “How are you?” That was the first thing Sophie asked.“Confused. Hopeful. Terrified.” I sink onto the couch. “He’s in therapy, Sophie. Three times a week. Actually trying to change.”“Good. He should be.” She sits beside me, hands me chopsticks. “But babe, that doesn’t obligate you to anything. Therapy is what he should have done years ago, before he destroyed you.”“I know.”“Do you?” She turns to face me. “Because I can see you softening. Thinking maybe you should give him another chance. And I’m scared you’re going to sacrifice yourself on the altar of his redemption.”“What if I’m not sacrificing myself?” The question surprises us both. “What if facing him is part of my healing too?”Sophie’s quiet for a long moment. “Then that’s different. But Aria, you have to be honest with yourself. Are you doing this

Last Updated : 2025-12-10

Chapter 55 - Admission

Damien POVI stare at the screen until my vision blurs. We need to talk. Four simple words that could mean everything or nothing. Forgiveness or final goodbye.I forward the text to Dr. Talia immediately.My therapist calls within minutes. "Damien. I saw your message.""She wants to meet." My voice sounds foreign. "Tomorrow. What do I say? How do I…" I stop, overwhelmed."Let's work through this." Her tone is calm, grounding. "What are you most afraid of?""That she'll look at me and see exactly what I am. A monster who destroyed her for something she didn't do." The words feels uncomfortable. "That she'll confirm what I already know—that I'm irredeemable.""And what do you hope for?"I close my eyes. "That somehow, impossibly, there's a version of this where she doesn't hate me. Where I can show her I'm trying to be better. Not for her. For myself. But…" My throat tightens. "I want her to see that I'm trying.""Then that's what you tell her." Dr. Talia’s voice is firm. "No grand gest