Forgive Me, My Love

Chapter 3: We Need To Talk

The music was loud. But Damian's voice cut through everything.

"Aria."

Her name. After 3 years.

Aria turned around slowly. There he was. Damian Reyes. Still tall. Still in a black suit. Still the man who broke her heart.

He looked different though. Tired. Older.

"We need to talk," Damian said. His voice was low.

Aria raised an eyebrow. "Do we?"

"Yes." Damian took a step closer. "About Emma."

Aria's blood froze.

"How do you know her name?" she asked coldly.

Damian's eyes softened. "Because she has my eyes."

The world stopped.

Aria clenched her fists. Three years and he thinks he can just show up?

"You're too late, Mr. Reyes," Aria said. "Emma is mine."

And with that, she walked away. Leaving Damian standing there, watching her.

Aria clenched her fists. Three years and he thinks he can just show up?

"You're too late, Mr. Reyes," Aria said. Her voice was steady. "Emma is mine. You gave up that right 3 years ago."

Damian flinched. "I didn't know—"

"You didn't care to know," Aria cut him off.

And with that, she turned and walked away. Leaving Damian standing there, watching the woman he lost.

The gala was full of people. But all Aria could see was him.

Damian Reyes. The man who called her a gold-digger. The man who signed the divorce papers without looking back.

And now he was here. Asking about her daughter.

Aria took a deep breath. She was not the same scared girl from 3 years ago.

"Let me make this clear, Damian," Aria said. Her voice didn't shake. "Emma is my daughter. Mine alone. You lost the right to be her father the moment you chose your pride over us."

Damian's jaw tightened. "You can't just—"

"I can," Aria interrupted. "And I did. Goodbye, Mr. Reyes."

She walked away with her head held high. In her red gown. Like the queen she became.

Behind her, Damian watched her go. For the first time in 3 years, he felt regret.