The soft hum of the city below barely registered in Damian’s penthouse as he gazed out over the skyline. Aria’s laughter from the evening before still lingered in his mind, a reminder of the warmth he hadn’t realized he’d been missing.
But there was no time to dwell. A message blinked on his phone, a subtle reminder that his family’s influence was never far away.
We need to discuss your upcoming engagements. Dinner tonight. Your mother insists.
Damian sighed, running a hand through his hair. Every moment with Aria felt like a rebellion against the carefully curated life his family demanded. Yet, no amount of power or obligation could diminish the pull he felt toward her.
The Unexpected Dinner
That evening, Damian drove Aria to the family estate under the pretense of showing her a part
