Damien didn't knock.
He walked straight into Vanessa's luxury condo with a storm in his eyes and a file in his hand.
She turned from her mirror, casually sipping champagne in silk pajamas.
"Well, that's new," she said smoothly. "You showing up without a warning."
Damien didn't answer. He tossed the file onto her glass table.
The contents spilled photographs, surveillance stills, bank transaction logs.
Vanessa raised an eyebrow. "Is this supposed to scare me?"
Damien's voice was calm, too calm.
"You leaked Aria's prenup. You tried to destroy her reputation. You sold me out."
Vanessa scoffed. "Don't act so wounded, Damien. You think you're the only one who can manipulate people?"
"I trusted you."
"You used me," she snapped. "For convenience. You wanted Aria the moment she stepped into your office. I was just a placeholder."
Damien took a step closer. "You leaked private documents. You broke the law."
Her lips curled into a smirk. "So arrest me. You won't. Because deep down, you know I'm not your enemy."
He leaned in, eyes locked on hers.
"You were never the enemy… until you made Aria bleed."
That made Vanessa flinch just slightly.
"You're blinded by her," she said bitterly. "That girl is soft. Weak. She was nothing but a grieving mess when she walked into your world."
Damien's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
"And she's still stronger than you've ever been."
Back at the hospital, Aria sat up slowly, watching the rain against the windows.
Her phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
"Your husband is loyal for now. But what happens when the contract's gone, and you have nothing left to offer?"
Attached: a photo of Damien and Vanessa from years ago laughing, standing too close, looking like lovers.
Aria stared at it.
It was old. Clearly before their marriage.
Still… it hurt.
Her hand instinctively went to her belly.
She was trying so hard to trust Damien.
But it felt like every time she did, something new twisted the knife.
Vanessa poured herself another drink as Damien stared down at her.
"You think Aria's going to stay after this?" she asked, tilting her head. "She's drowning in hate. The media's turned her into a scandal magnet. And let's not forget Kieran hasn't even played his last card yet."
Damien's eyes narrowed. "What card?"
Vanessa laughed darkly. "You think I'd tell you?"
"I think you've already told me enough."
He turned to leave, then paused at the door.
"You've burned every bridge, Vanessa. Don't call me again."
She smiled sadly. "You already left long ago. I just lit the match."
Later that night, Damien returned to the hospital.
Aria sat silently, her phone face-down beside her. The light in her eyes had dimmed again.
"Vanessa's out of the picture," he said, taking a seat. "She won't come near us again."
Aria turned slowly. "She already did."
She held up her phone.
The photo.
Damien sighed. "That was years ago. Before you. Before anything real in my life."
"I know," she whispered. "But she's still inside our lives, Damien. Inside this story. And I don't know how to get her out."
"You don't have to," he said gently. "I will."
She looked away. "You can't fight all my battles."
"No," he said. "But I'll never let you fight alone."
At midnight, Damien stood in his private office at the hospital suite, reviewing files Marcus had just delivered.
Inside was a new name.
Helen Lawrence.
Aria's mother.
Damien frowned. "Why is she listed in a financial transfer?"
Marcus looked uncomfortable. "It seems… Helen was paid a large sum shortly before Aria's contract was drafted."
Damien stood slowly. "You're telling me Aria's mother might've been involved in the deal?"
"Yes. And it gets worse."
Marcus handed him another paper.
A witness report. Bank statement. Email trail.
Damien stared at the signature at the bottom.
It wasn't Vanessa.
It wasn't Kieran.
It was Helen's.