All Chapters of Married My Ex's Billionaire Uncle Accidentally : Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Ariana Pov The penthouse was completely quiet; it was the staff's scheduled day off. I sat back on the patio bench in the garden with the cookie tin, resting the heavy HR folder beside me before opening my sketchbook across my knees—a rare moment to actually breathe and relax. I reached into the tin and took a cookie, munching on it as I pulled my pencil from my bag and rested the tip on the blank page. The board wanted a signature jewelry collection that made a statement, and with no distractions around, the ideas started flowing. My hand moved steadily, drawing long, fluid lines to outline the primary structure of a centerpiece necklace. I paused, chewing thoughtfully as I evaluated the balance. The setting was strong, but the pendant needed sharper definition to catch the light properly. I leaned back in, pressing the lead harder against the grain to build up structured shading around the bezel and the cut of the stones, trying to make the piece take on real form and weight. I

Damian Pov The heavy brass doors of the private executive elevator slid open right on schedule. Ava stepped out first, leading the Sterling Silver delegation onto the top floor of Cole Enterprises. The Chairwoman walked beside her, two corporate attorneys trailing a step behind, leather document cases tucked firmly under their arms. I stood by the floor-to-ceiling glass, adjusting my cuffs before turning to face them. "Mr. Cole," the Chairwoman said, extending her hand. I took it with a single, firm nod. "Chairwoman. Let's get down to business." I gestured toward the glass-topped conference table, where Ava had already laid out the heavy, leather-bound contract binders. We took our seats. For twenty minutes, the only sound in the office was the crisp turning of pages inside the contract binders and the low, clipped exchanges of lead counsel verifying the final terms. Fifty percent equity. Balanced board authority. Joint supply chains approved. Everything matched Sunday's agree

Ariana Pov I sat alone at the long table, staring at the empty doorway Damian had just walked through. Pushing my chair back, I picked up my heels from the floor beside me and headed upstairs. When I got inside my bedroom, I stripped off my clothes, walked into the bathroom, and turned on the shower. Steam quickly filled the room. Once the water was hot, I stepped beneath it and rested my forehead against the cool tiles. My fingers rose to my lower lip as the moment during dinner replayed in my mind—the shift in his jaw, the dark intensity in his eyes, and the deliberate drag of his thumb as he wiped the sauce from my lip without breaking eye contact. I opened my eyes and stared at my blurred reflection through the steam. Damian never looked uncertain. Even when his jaw tightened or his gaze lingered a second too long, he carried himself with an unsettling certainty. I was the one left trying to understand what had just happened. I dragged a hand down my face, only realizing the

Ariana Pov I knew that voice, but for a second, I couldn’t place it. I turned toward the archway, and my breath caught when I saw Nathan standing there. One hand was tucked into his pocket, his gaze moving across the room. I had never seen him on this floor before, or anywhere else in the company for that matter. The last time I had seen him was at Grandpa’s birthday party, when Damian had instructed him to take me home, only for me to refuse. He had always seemed to be close to Damian, which made his sudden appearance even more unexpected. “The video is forged,” he repeated. My fingers tightened around the edge of the dress as my hands became sweaty as different thoughts ran through my head was he really here to help me? Was he doing this simply because I was Damian’s wife? Or had he actually found something that could clear my name after everything that had already been thrown at me? Maya’s expression changed the instant Nathan stepped forward. The color drained from her face, a

Ariana Pov I wiped the fine resin dust from my fingers, secured my digital spec files, and stepped outside into the cool evening air. The breeze brushed lightly against my skin as I headed toward the waiting cabs. I flagged down a cab and headed back to the estate. About twenty minutes later, the estate came into view. I paid the cabman and made my way inside. The house was quiet, but as I headed toward my room, I stopped at the sight of Damian sitting back in the leather armchair, an open tablet resting in his lap. He wore a crisp white shirt with the top two buttons undone, exposing the sharp line of his collarbone and the broad line of his chest, his black tie hanging loose around his collar. Without looking up from the screen, he said, "You're back." I held my purse against my side. "Yeah. I saw Nathan today. I was surprised to see him on my floor." Damian didn't look up. "Oh, yeah? He mentioned what happened at your office today." I blinked, caught off gu