Aria barely slept.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw him.
His gaze.
His smirk.
The way he said you belong to me like it was already true.
By the time morning came, she was already exhausted.
And somehow… more nervous than before.
The dress they brought her was stunning.
Deep emerald green. Silk. Smooth against her skin.
It hugged her body just enough to make her uncomfortable—not because it was revealing, but because she knew exactly who had chosen it.
Him.
Aria stared at her reflection for a long moment.
"This isn't me," she whispered.
But it didn't matter.
Because tonight—
She had to play by his rules.
Dinner was set on the terrace.
The city lights stretched endlessly beyond the glass railing, glowing softly under the night sky.
It was beautiful.
Too beautiful.
Like everything in his world.
Perfect on the outside…
Cold underneath.
"You're late."
Aria turned at the sound of his voice.
Damian stood near the table, dressed in a black shirt with the sleeves rolled slightly, exposing his wrists.
Simple.
But somehow… more dangerous than the suit.
"I didn't realize there was a time limit," she replied, walking toward him.
"There is," he said calmly. "Now you know."
Her jaw tightened slightly.
She pulled out a chair and sat down.
"So what is this?" she asked. "A test?"
He sat across from her, his movements smooth and controlled.
"Everything is a test."
Of course it was.
Dinner began in silence.
The clink of cutlery was the only sound between them.
But Aria could feel it.
His gaze.
Constant.
Unwavering.
Watching her like she was something he was trying to figure out.
It made her uneasy.
"Do you always stare at people like that?" she asked finally.
"Yes."
She frowned.
"That's unsettling."
"And yet," he said calmly, "you haven't looked away either."
Her breath caught.
Because he was right.
She quickly dropped her gaze to her plate.
"This situation is unsettling," she corrected.
A faint smirk touched his lips.
"But you're still here."
Her fingers tightened slightly around her fork.
"I didn't have much of a choice."
"There's always a choice," he replied.
She looked up at him again.
"Then why does this feel like I'm trapped?"
Something flickered in his eyes.
Something dark.
"Because you are."
Her heart skipped.
The honesty in his voice sent a chill through her.
The air between them shifted again.
Heavier.
More intense.
Damian leaned back slightly, studying her.
"You don't ask the questions I expected."
"What did you expect?" she asked.
"Fear," he said simply.
She let out a quiet breath.
"I am afraid."
His gaze sharpened.
"But you don't show it," he noted.
"Showing fear doesn't help me," she replied.
Silence.
Then—
"Good."
The single word made her pulse quicken.
Halfway through dinner, Aria reached for her glass at the same time Damian did.
Their fingers brushed.
Just slightly.
But it was enough.
Her breath hitched instantly.
Heat rushed through her body like a spark had just been lit.
She pulled her hand back quickly.
But Damian didn't.
His fingers remained there for a second longer.
As if he noticed.
As if he wanted her to notice.
Slowly… deliberately…
He picked up his glass.
And took a sip.
His eyes never leaving hers.
Aria's heart pounded.
Why did something so small feel so intense?
"Tell me something," he said suddenly.
She swallowed.
"What?"
"Why were you really running that night?"
Her chest tightened.
"I told you—"
"You lied."
The words were calm.
Certain.
Her stomach twisted.
"I don't owe you my past," she said, her voice quieter now.
His gaze darkened slightly.
"No," he agreed. "But you owe me honesty."
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Pressing.
Aria hesitated.
Then looked away.
"…He wants to marry me," she said finally.
The words felt bitter on her tongue.
Damian didn't react immediately.
"Your stepbrother?" he asked.
"Yes."
"And you refused."
"It's not that simple."
"Explain."
Her fingers tightened again.
"My family owes his father money," she said slowly. "A lot of it. This marriage… is their way of paying it back."
The air changed instantly.
Colder.
More dangerous.
"And you?" Damian asked quietly.
"I'm just part of the deal," she said, her voice almost empty.
Silence.
Long.
Heavy.
Then—
A sharp sound.
Damian's glass hit the table harder than necessary.
Aria flinched slightly.
His expression had changed.
Not calm anymore.
Not controlled.
There was something else there now.
Something darker.
"Does he touch you?" he asked.
The question caught her off guard.
"What?"
"Answer me."
His voice was lower now.
Tense.
"No," she said quickly. "I don't let him."
A pause.
Then—
"Good."
The word came out sharper than before.
Possessive.
It made her chest tighten.
Aria pushed her plate slightly away.
"I didn't agree to be interrogated."
"You agreed to my terms," he reminded her.
"And what exactly are your terms?" she challenged.
His eyes locked onto hers.
"You stay. You listen. And you don't hide things from me."
Her frustration flared again.
"You don't get to control everything about me."
He stood up suddenly.
The movement made her freeze.
In seconds, he was beside her.
Too close.
Her breath caught.
"Say that again," he murmured.
Her heart raced.
"I said—"
Her words died in her throat.
Because he leaned down slightly—
One hand resting on the table beside her.
The other gripping the back of her chair.
Trapping her in place.
Her pulse went wild.
"I don't control everything," he said softly.
"Just the things that matter."
Her breathing became uneven.
This was too much.
Too close.
"Move," she whispered.
But she didn't push him away.
Didn't try to escape.
And he noticed.
Of course he did.
His gaze dropped briefly—
To her lips.
And that was it.
The moment everything shifted.
Her breath hitched.
Time slowed.
He leaned in slightly—
Closer.
Closer.
Her heart slammed against her chest.
She should stop this.
She should turn her head.
She should do something—
But she didn't.
Because part of her wanted to know.
What it would feel like.
To be kissed by him.
Dangerous.
Wrong.
But real.
His lips were just inches away—
When—
A phone rang.
Sharp.
Loud.
Breaking everything.
Damian stilled instantly.
The moment shattered.
His jaw tightened as he straightened.
Aria sucked in a breath, her heart racing uncontrollably.
What… just happened?
He pulled out his phone, his expression returning to cold control.
"Yes," he answered.
Silence.
Then his eyes darkened.
"I'll handle it."
He ended the call without another word.
"What is it?" Aria asked, still trying to steady herself.
His gaze met hers again.
Serious.
Focused.
"It's about you."
Her stomach dropped.
"What do you mean?"
He slipped the phone back into his pocket.
"Your stepbrother isn't done."
A chill ran down her spine.
"And this time…"
His voice lowered.
"He's not coming alone.