Damien Voss didn't believe in coincidences.
Not in business.
Not in war.
And certainly not in marriage.
He sat in his office, eyes fixed on his screen, tapping a pen against his desk. The memory of Aria's collapse, her trembling hands, and the doctor's strange hesitance played in a loop through his mind.
There was something she wasn't telling him.
And he was going to find out what it was.
Voss Medical—Private Records Office
It didn't take much to get what he needed. A signature here. A discreet call there. Money made doors open, and Damien Voss knew exactly which ones to knock on.
He sat in a private suite as Dr. Larson one of the few trusted family physicians left on his payroll walked in with a sealed file in hand.
"I thought you said this was a matter of urgency," the doctor said, placing the file on the desk.
"It is," Damien said, eyes cold. "I want to know everything."
Dr. Larson hesitated. "Mr. Voss, her medical information is protected under law—"
"I'm not asking for gossip," Damien interrupted. "I'm asking what you know as her consulting physician. You examined her after she fainted in my house."
"She asked for privacy."
Damien's voice dropped. "I'm not just her husband. I'm also the man funding this hospital's next research wing. Now open the damn file."
Dr. Larson sighed, then slowly flipped it open.
Damien's gaze dropped to the paper. At first, it didn't register.
Then he saw it.
Clear as day.
Estimated gestation: 9 weeks.
Patient is pregnant.
The pen dropped from his hand.
A chill ran down his spine, even as the heat of betrayal burned in his chest.
She's pregnant.
And she hadn't told him.
Back at Voss Manor
Aria stood at the balcony outside her bedroom, wrapped in a light robe. The wind tugged at her hair as she looked up at the gray clouds rolling in.
She hadn't told him.
She couldn't.
Not yet.
What if he tried to use the baby against her? What if he took it from her?
She'd heard enough horror stories in this world of cold money and colder marriages. Power changed people. And Damien already had too much of it.
Still… guilt clawed at her chest.
She wasn't just hiding a child.
She was hiding the truth about why she married him in the first place.
And when both secrets came crashing down?
They'd destroy everything.
That night, Damien came home early.
Aria was seated in the grand piano room, sipping tea and pretending to read.
She looked up when he entered.
His face was unreadable. Too calm.
Her heart skipped.
"You're home early," she said softly.
"Long day," he replied, loosening his tie.
She set the tea down. "Everything alright?"
"Perfect." He crossed the room and stood behind her chair. "You look better."
"I feel better."
"Lying comes too easily to you," he said suddenly.
Her heart froze.
"What?"
"I said," he repeated, stepping in front of her, "you're a very good liar."
She stood. "Damien, what's this about?"
His eyes pierced into hers. "How far were you planning to take this lie?"
She swallowed. "I don't know what you're talking about."
He reached into his pocket, pulled out a folded paper, and tossed it onto the piano.
The medical report.
Aria stared at it. Her breath caught. Her heart dropped.
It was over.
"You knew?" she whispered.
"I know now."
She looked away, tears burning behind her eyes. "I was going to tell you."
"When? After the twelve months were over? When the baby was born and I found out through the tabloids?"
"No! I just… I needed time. I didn't know how to—"
"You didn't trust me," he said sharply.
She turned on him. "Why should I? You're the one who set rules. No feelings. No intimacy. No interference. You made this a business, Damien!"
Silence.
The baby.
The contract.
The truth.
It was all laid bare.
Damien's chest rose and fell slowly. "Is the child mine?"
The words stung more than they should have.
Aria's voice broke. "You're the only man I've been with. Of course, it's yours."
He ran a hand through his hair, pacing. "You should've told me the moment you found out."
"I was scared!"
"Of me?"
"Yes!" she cried. "Because the man I married would see this baby as leverage or threat not as a life."
Damien went still.
That hit too close.
They stood there, staring at each other.
Everything changed.
The silence between them was no longer empty it was heavy with questions, regret, and fear.
Damien finally spoke. "What do you want, Aria?"
"I want to protect my baby," she said softly.
"From me?"
"From everyone."
He took a step closer. "Then let me protect you both."
She looked up at him, tears in her eyes. "Why would you do that?"
His voice dropped to a whisper. "Because I've already lost too many people I love."
Aria blinked. "You love me?"
He paused. The answer hovered there.
Then, as if catching himself, he pulled back. "This isn't about love. It's about responsibility."
Of course.
Always the businessman.
Always controlled.
She nodded slowly, backing away. "Then you'll understand if I don't trust that kind of offer."
And she walked out leaving Damien alone, surrounded by everything he couldn't say.