Cracks in the Ice
1173 Words
"Oh, this is going to be fun."
The words hung in the air like a threat.
Aria stood frozen in the kitchen doorway, her eyes moving between Vanessa and Damian.
Vanessa looked perfectly comfortable.
Too comfortable.
As if she belonged in Blackwood Manor.
As if she had every right to be sitting at Damian's breakfast table.
Damian clearly disagreed.
"What are you doing here?" he asked coldly.
Vanessa smiled sweetly.
"I came to congratulate you."
"No, you didn't."
The smile never left her face.
Aria almost admired the woman's confidence.
Almost.
Vanessa rose gracefully from her chair and smoothed her designer dress.
"You're right."
At least she was honest.
"For someone who claims not to care, you're surprisingly interested in my life."
Something dark flashed across Damian's eyes.
For a moment, genuine tension filled the room.
The kind of tension that comes from history.
Painful history.
Vanessa turned toward Aria.
"You should know something."
"Vanessa."
Damian's warning was sharp.
Vanessa ignored it.
"I knew Damian long before you did."
Aria folded her arms.
"I'm aware you're his ex."
The blonde laughed.
"Oh, sweetheart. I was much more than that."
The comment hit exactly as intended.
Aria felt it.
So did Damian.
His jaw tightened.
"Leave."
Vanessa's smile finally slipped.
Just a little.
"You always do that."
"Leave."
The single word carried enough authority to silence the room.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then Vanessa picked up her purse.
As she passed Aria, she paused.
Close enough for only her to hear.
"Be careful."
Aria frowned.
"Of what?"
Vanessa's expression softened unexpectedly.
Not mocking.
Not cruel.
Almost... pitying.
"Of what happens when you get attached."
Then she walked away.
The front door slammed moments later.
Silence followed.
A heavy silence.
Aria looked at Damian.
He looked away first.
Interesting.
"Well."
She grabbed a cup of coffee.
"That wasn't awkward at all."
Damian rubbed his temples.
"I'm sorry."
The apology surprised her.
"What?"
"I said I'm sorry."
She stared.
The billionaire apologized twice in one week.
Maybe the world really was ending.
A reluctant smile appeared on her face.
To her surprise, it appeared on his too.
The moment lasted only seconds before his phone rang.
The warmth vanished immediately.
He checked the screen.
Something changed in his expression.
Something she couldn't identify.
Without another word, he stood.
"I have to take this."
Then he left.
Just like that.
Aria watched him disappear.
Her curiosity grew.
Whatever call he'd received had clearly upset him.
And for some reason...
she wanted to know why.
***
The next few days passed in a whirlwind.
Wedding preparations.
Media interviews.
Dress fittings.
Meetings.
Photographs.
Every minute seemed scheduled.
Every second controlled.
By Friday morning, Aria barely recognized her own life.
She stood in front of a mirror wearing a breathtaking white wedding gown.
The dress fit perfectly.
Which somehow made everything feel even more real.
A soft knock sounded.
Margaret entered.
Her eyes immediately filled with tears.
"Oh my."
Aria laughed.
"Is it that bad?"
"It's beautiful."
Margaret approached.
"You look radiant."
The older woman's sincerity touched her.
"Thank you."
Margaret adjusted a small section of fabric.
Then her smile faded.
"What is it?" Aria asked.
For a moment, Margaret seemed unsure.
Then she shook her head.
"Nothing."
Definitely not nothing.
Aria knew that look.
"Margaret."
The older woman sighed.
"It's just..."
She hesitated.
Then continued.
"I haven't seen Mr. Blackwood this happy in years."
Aria blinked.
Happy?
Damian?
The man who smiled once every leap year?
Margaret chuckled softly.
"I know how that sounds."
"It sounds impossible."
The housekeeper laughed.
"Maybe."
Before Aria could ask more questions, the wedding coordinator rushed in.
"We need to go."
And just like that, the moment was gone.
***
The ceremony took place in a private garden behind the manor.
Elegant.
Expensive.
Perfect.
Rows of white flowers lined the aisle.
Guests filled every seat.
Business leaders.
Politicians.
Celebrities.
People Aria only recognized from magazines.
The music began.
Her heartbeat accelerated.
This was really happening.
At the end of the aisle stood Damian.
Waiting.
His black suit fit perfectly.
His posture was confident as always.
Yet something seemed different.
Nervous.
The realization startled her.
Damian Blackwood looked nervous.
When their eyes met, something tightened inside her chest.
For one strange moment, the crowd disappeared.
The cameras disappeared.
Everything disappeared.
There was only him.
And her.
The music ended.
The ceremony began.
The officiant spoke.
Guests smiled.
Vows were exchanged.
Everything passed in a blur.
Until one sentence changed everything.
"You may kiss the bride."
Aria's breath caught.
Oh.
Right.
That.
The kiss.
She looked at Damian.
He looked equally aware of the situation.
A brief hesitation passed between them.
Then he stepped closer.
Very close.
Her pulse hammered.
The world seemed to hold its breath.
His hand gently touched her cheek.
And then
A loud crash echoed across the garden.
Gasps erupted everywhere.
The crowd turned.
Aria did too.
A waiter had dropped an entire tray of glasses.
The spell instantly shattered.
Everyone laughed nervously.
The officiant smiled.
"Well. That's one way to create suspense."
The guests chuckled.
Aria's face burned.
Damian looked amused.
The first genuine amusement she'd seen all day.
Then he leaned down.
And kissed her.
Softly.
Briefly.
Yet somehow it stole every thought from her mind.
The crowd erupted into applause.
But Aria barely heard it.
Because for one terrifying second...
the kiss hadn't felt fake at all.
***
The reception lasted hours.
Photos.
Speeches.
Dancing.
Endless conversations.
Aria smiled so much her face hurt.
By evening, she was exhausted.
Desperate for a break.
She finally escaped onto a quiet balcony overlooking the gardens.
Fresh air greeted her.
Peace.
Silence.
She closed her eyes.
At least until she heard coughing.
Harsh.
Painful.
Violent.
Her eyes snapped open.
The sound had come from around the corner.
From another section of the balcony.
Frowning, she moved carefully toward it.
The coughing continued.
Then stopped abruptly.
A familiar voice cursed quietly.
Damian.
Aria froze.
The next sound made her blood run cold.
A bottle opening.
Pills rattling.
Followed by a shaky breath.
Her heart sank.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Before she could move, another voice spoke.
Male.
Unfamiliar.
"You shouldn't be standing."
Damian answered immediately.
"I'm fine."
The other man laughed bitterly.
"No, you're not."
Silence followed.
Then came the words that changed everything.
"You need to tell her."
Aria stopped breathing.
Tell her what?
Damian's voice was colder now.
"No."
"She deserves to know."
"No."
"Damian"
"No one is finding out."
The force behind those words startled her.
The conversation ended moments later.
Footsteps approached.
Panic surged through Aria.
She quickly stepped back into the shadows.
The balcony door opened.
Damian emerged.
His face looked pale.
Much paler than before.
For a second, she thought he might collapse.
Then he straightened.
The mask returned.
Perfect.
Controlled.
Untouchable.
And he walked away.
Leaving Aria alone with a hundred questions.
Because now she knew two things.
Damian was sick.
And whatever he was hiding...
it was far worse than she had imagined.
- Writer
