Chapter 15: Chapter 15 This was just business
Aria’s POV
The suite was on the third floor—spacious, elegantly furnished, and blessedly private.
Lucas led me to a walk-in closet filled with formal wear, all in various sizes.
"Take your pick," he said. "I’ll wait outside."
"Thank you."
He nodded and left, closing the door behind him.
I stood there for a moment, staring at the rows of dresses.
Then I pulled off Lucas’s jacket and carefully stepped out of the ruined gown.
The silk pooled at my feet, torn and stained.
I felt a pang of loss. Damian had sent this dress specifically for me. It had been perfect.
And Vanessa had destroyed it out of pure spite.
I pushed the thought aside and focused on finding something new.
Most of the dresses were too flashy, too revealing, or too formal.
Finally, I found a simple black cocktail dress—sleeveless, knee-length, with a subtle shimmer in the fabric. It fit perfectly.
I changed quickly, then checked my reflection in the mirror.
My hair was still intact, though a few more strands had come loose. My makeup was smudged slightly, but not enough to be obvious.
I looked... fine.
Not stunning. Not breathtaking.
Just fine.
Good enough.
I gathered up the ruined dress and Lucas’s jacket, then stepped back into the suite.
Lucas was leaning against the wall, scrolling through his phone. He looked up when I entered.
"Better?"
"Much. Thank you."
He straightened, tucking his phone away. "Keep the jacket. You’ll need it for the ride home."
"I can’t—"
"Yes, you can." His tone left no room for argument. "Consider it a gift."
I clutched the jacket tighter. "Thank you. For everything."
"Don’t mention it." He walked toward the door, then paused. "For what it’s worth, you handled that well. Most humans would’ve crumbled under that kind of pressure."
"I’m not most humans."
A ghost of a smile crossed his face. "Clearly."
---
We took the elevator back down, and I followed Lucas through a side hallway that led directly to the main entrance.
The ballroom was still going strong—music, laughter, and conversation spilling out into the corridor.
Lucas stopped just before the entrance. "I’ll let my father know what happened. He’ll want to follow up."
"That’s not necessary—"
"It is." His expression was serious now. "Vanessa crossed a line tonight. If we let it slide, it sets a precedent."
I nodded slowly. "Alright."
"And Aria?" He hesitated. "Be careful. You’ve made some powerful allies tonight, but you’ve also made enemies. Vanessa isn’t the only one who resents you."
"I know."
"Just... watch your back."
"I will."
He gave me a final nod, then disappeared back into the ballroom.
I stood there for a moment, trying to collect myself.
But Vanessa’s words kept echoing in my head.
*We have history. Real history. He always comes back to me.*
My chest tightened.
I didn’t want to believe her. But the way she’d said it—so confident, so certain—made doubt creep in.
What if she was telling the truth?
What if I was just another temporary distraction?
I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.
Then I heard footsteps.
I turned to find Damian striding toward me, his expression dark and tense. When he saw me, his eyes widened slightly.
"Aria." He reached me in three steps, his hands immediately cupping my face. "What happened? Where did you go?"
"I’m fine."
His gaze dropped to the black dress, then to Lucas’s jacket in my arms. His jaw tightened.
"Who did this?"
"It was nothing—just a wardrobe malfunction," I said quickly. "Lucas helped me find a replacement."
"Lucas?" His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Victor’s son. He was very kind."
Damian studied my face, and I could see him searching for the truth. But I kept my expression neutral.
I couldn’t tell him about Vanessa. Not now. Not when her words were still rattling around in my head, making me question everything.
*He always comes back to me.*
"Aria." His voice was softer now, concerned. "Are you sure you’re alright?"
I forced a smile. "I’m just tired. It’s been a long night."
He didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push.
"Let me take you home."
I shook my head. "I already called for a car. Crescent Moon Pack is sending someone."
His expression darkened. "Cancel it. I’ll drive you."
"I can’t."
"Why not?"
Because I need space. Because tonight was too much. Because every time you touch me, I forget how to breathe. Because I don’t know if I can trust what I’m feeling when someone like Vanessa is claiming you as hers.
"Because I need to think," I said instead.
He studied my face, his jaw working. "About what?"
"Everything." I gestured vaguely. "Tonight. The announcement. All of this."
The word hung in the air between us.
His hand came up, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Aria—"
"Please, Damian." My voice came out quieter than I intended. "I just need some time."
For a long moment, he just looked at me.
Then he nodded slowly. "Alright."
"Alright?"
"If you need space, I’ll give it to you." His voice was rough now, strained. "But I’m not letting you disappear, Aria. Not after tonight."
My throat tightened. "I won’t.We have a contract, remember?"
"Good."
He stepped back, his hand trailing down my arm before finally letting go.
"Text me when you get home."
"I will."
He held my gaze for one more second, then turned and walked back toward the ballroom.
I watched him go, my pulse gradually steadying.
Then I heard the sound of a car pulling up outside.
I took a deep breath, pulled on Lucas’s jacket, and headed for the exit.
The driver was waiting by a sleek black sedan, holding the door open.
"Miss Smith?"
"That’s me."
I slid into the back seat, and the driver closed the door behind me.
As the car pulled away from the estate, I leaned my head back and closed my eyes.
Vanessa’s words wouldn’t stop replaying in my mind.
*He always comes back to me.*
What exactly was their relationship?
I pressed my fingers to my temples, trying to organize my thoughts.
I needed to be careful. More careful than I’d been.
Damian had been helpful—instrumental, even—but that didn’t mean I could let my guard down. After Ethan, I’d learned that lesson the hard way.
This was a business arrangement. A strategic alliance. Nothing more.
And if Vanessa was telling the truth—if there was history between them—then I needed to know exactly what I was walking into.
The last thing I needed was to be caught in the middle of someone else’s complicated past.
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