LINES WE CROSS

The atmosphere in the penthouse changed the moment the man stepped out of the elevator.Aria froze. Instinct made her step back, one hand flying to the curve of her stomach…protective, sharp.Luca didn’t move, but the quiet in his body was dangerous. Too still. Too controlled.The man’s gaze flicked to Aria, then locked on Luca.“Didn’t expect her to be here,” he said, voice calm, almost amused.“No one expects a trespasser,” Luca bit out, stepping forward. “You’re not welcome here, Damon.”The name dropped like a stone in the room.Damon.Aria felt the heat of it coil behind her ribs. Who was he? Family? Enemy?She didn’t ask. Not yet. She was watching Luca too closely.He wasn’t yelling. He wasn’t storming. But his jaw was set, and his arm came around her waist in one quiet motion, guiding her back without a word.It wasn’t just protective. It was instinctual. Possessive. Gentle.“You should go,” Luca said, his voice low. “This isn’t the time.”Damon smirked. “You think I came all t

Last Updated : 2025-11-13

THE WAY HE WATCHED HER

Eva’s laughter rang through the penthouse like a breeze Aria hadn’t felt in months, light, familiar, utterly normal.They sat cross-legged on the plush living room rug, a plate of pastries between them, city lights blazing beyond the glass.“I can’t believe he flew me here,” Eva whispered. “Jet and everything. Does he always move like that?”Aria smirked. “Luca doesn’t do halfway. Even when you don’t ask for it.”“Especially when you don’t ask for it,” Maria chimed in, flopping beside them with a glass of juice.Aria’s hand drifted to her belly more habitually now than thought. “He says it’s not control. That’s care.”Eva’s eyes softened. “And is it?”Aria didn’t answer. The question wasn’t simple anymore.Luca had been quiet all day, working from the shadows of the penthouse but always near. Not hovering, just present. When she stood too long, he noticed. When she skipped a meal, a tray appeared like magic.She’d once hated the way he loomed. Now she wasn’t sure how to breathe when h

Last Updated : 2025-11-13

RUMORS & RUIN

The morning started with laughter.Aria sat at the long marble kitchen island, Eva by her side, both of them in oversized T-shirts and messy buns, half-eaten croissants between them. For once, she felt normal. Not like someone’s possession. Not like the girl hidden in a gilded cage. Just… Aria.“You snore,” Eva teased, sipping her coffee.Aria snorted. “I’m growing a human. I’m allowed.”Across the room, Luca stood with a cup of espresso in hand. He gave the smallest smile at the sound of her laugh, but didn’t join in. He’d been quiet since Eva arrived, polite, distant, always watching and always calculating.“You okay?” Eva asked quietly, her eyes flicking toward him.Aria shrugged. “It’s… complicated.”“He’s hot,” Eva whispered. “But also kind of terrifying.”Aria smiled weakly. “Welcome to my life.”Before Eva could respond, Maria stepped into the kitchen, phone in hand, worry shadowing her face.“Aria,” she said, voice low. “You should see this.”She handed over her phone. On the

Last Updated : 2025-11-13

All Chapters of Ruthless Claim: Chapter 11 - Chapter 13

LINES WE CROSS

THE WAY HE WATCHED HER

RUMORS & RUIN