Aria stood in the doorway of the study, contract folder clutched to her chest.
The storm outside mirrored the one brewing inside her.
Damien looked up from his desk, his face unreadable as always, but something in his eyes flickered worry, maybe… or guilt.
"We need to talk," she said quietly.
"About Vanessa?" he asked without hesitation.
Her fingers tightened around the folder. "About everything."
He leaned back in his chair. "I'm listening."
Aria stepped into the room, placed the contract between them, and sat across from him.
"She came to me," Aria said, eyes locked on his. "Said you ruined my sister. Said Elena didn't just fall apart—she was pushed. By you."
Damien's jaw clenched. "She's manipulating you."
"She offered me a deal. To walk away. To give her this." She tapped the folder.
His eyes darkened. "And did you consider it?"
Aria didn't answer right away. "I thought about it. I won't lie."
Silence thickened.
Then she said, "So now I want your deal."
Damien raised an eyebrow. "My deal?"
"If I stay," she said, voice low, "if I choose you what are you offering me? What am I staying for?"
Damien stood, walked to the window. Rain streaked down the glass. Thunder rolled in the distance.
"You think this is a business transaction?" he asked.
"You made it one," she said.
He turned to face her. "Fine. You want honesty? You'll get it."
He walked back to the desk, placed both hands on the edge.
"I was involved in your sister's life. But not the way Vanessa tells it. Elena was…" He hesitated. "She was fragile. Smart. But she trusted the wrong people. Not just me. Everyone."
Aria's heart pounded.
"I didn't ruin her. But I didn't save her either," Damien admitted. "There was a moment a decision I made where I chose business over loyalty. And that decision broke her."
Tears stung Aria's eyes. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because it would've made me the villain in your eyes. And I couldn't bear that."
She looked down. "I married you to destroy you."
"I know."
Her head snapped up.
Damien's gaze was unwavering. "I've known for weeks."
She gasped. "Then why let me stay?"
He took a step closer. "Because even when you hated me, you were the only person who ever looked at me like I was more than my power. More than my mistakes."
Aria's heart twisted. She wanted to scream. Cry. Run.
But instead, she whispered, "And now?"
"Now," he said, voice softer, "I want you to stay. Not because of the contract. Or the baby. But because I'm falling for you, Aria."
Silence.
Then thunder cracked again, and Aria felt like her world split open.
Later that night, Aria stood outside Vanessa's guest room door.
She knocked once.
Vanessa opened the door, already smirking. "Let me guess. You're ready to hand over the prenup."
Aria held up the folder. "Actually, I came to return this to where it belongs."
Vanessa's smile faltered.
"I'm not giving you anything," Aria said. "And I'm not walking away."
Vanessa folded her arms. "You're making a mistake. That man destroyed your sister."
Aria stepped closer. "Maybe he did. Or maybe you did. Where were you when she needed you most, Vanessa?"
The other woman's face twisted.
"You want to destroy Damien so badly," Aria continued, "but maybe it's because he walked away from you, not Elena."
Vanessa's eyes flashed. "Careful."
"I am careful now," Aria said. "And that's why you're leaving."
"You can't make me."
Aria's voice dropped to a whisper. "Try me."
The next morning, Vanessa was gone.
No note. No goodbye.
Just silence.
Aria stood by the front door with her hand resting over her stomach.
She'd chosen her side.
She wasn't sure if it was right. But it was hers.
And maybe, just maybe, the man she was starting to love… was worth the risk.