Aria's POV
"Aria, good morning."
"Morning, Godson."
His voice was soft, almost concerned, as I stepped into the Westin Industries lobby. The receptionist had already slid my badge across her desk. I managed a shaky smile and headed for the elevator.
All night, I'd rehearsed the conversation in my head: Damon, I need to tell you something— but the words refused to line up. Instead, they stumbled and fractured, leaving me tongue-tied.
As the elevator doors closed, I pressed my palm to my belly. A surge of guilt seized me—my secret, pulsing beneath my ribs, demanding honesty.
Ding.
I forced a steadying breath and walked down the carpeted hall toward Damon's office. My heels clicked unevenly, betraying my nerves.
"Aria?"
Godson's voice floated down the corridor. He stepped out of Damon's open door and offered me a reassuring nod. "He'll see you now."
I swallowed hard. "Thank you."
I straightened my skirt and approached the frosted-glass wall. Beyond it, I could hear low voices—laughter, soft murmurs. My heart stuttered.
He's going to be so upset…
I pressed my hand to the door handle. The warmth of the metal felt like a promise—no, like a threat.
I inhaled and pushed the door open.
The sight hit me like a freight train.
Damon lounged in his leather chair, one arm draped casually over the back of a dark suede couch. On his lap sat Celeste Langford, legs curled around his waist, lips inches from his ear as she whispered something that made him laugh.
Her ruby-red dress clung to her curves; her hair cascaded over his shoulder like liquid fire. His head tilted, allowing her easy access to his ear, his smile genuine—intimate.
I froze, the door clicking shut behind me. My breath lodged in my throat.
They didn't notice me at first—too absorbed in each other. My pulse thundered so loud I was sure they could hear it, too.
This isn't real. He can't…
I raised a hand to my mouth, stifling a sob. Heat burned behind my eyes.
"Aria?"
Damon's head snapped up. His expression hovered between surprise and something darker—guilt? Embarrassment?
Celeste's head lifted, and she spun off his lap with feline grace, smoothing the folds of her dress. She gave me a slow, mocking smile.
"Well, look who it is," she purred, stepping between me and Damon. "Didn't expect to see you so early."
My legs gave way; I sank onto a nearby ottoman without realizing I'd moved. The fabric bit into my palms as I gripped it for support.
Damon stood, his face flushing. "Aria—"
But Celeste cut him off. "Isn't this sweet? The poor, desperate secretary finally makes it into the CEO's inner sanctum." Her voice dripped condescension. "Tell me, darling, did you think you were the only one he'd share his office with?"
I closed my eyes, trying to block out her words. My vision blurred with tears. Tell him. Now.
Damon took a step toward me, guilt and frustration warring in his gaze. "Aria, I—"
Celeste laughed, a harsh sound. "Oh, save it. He's mine. You're just… collateral damage." She spun and brushed past him, heading for the door as if she owned the place. "Enjoy your seat while it lasts, sweetheart."
The door clicked shut behind her. The laughter and murmurs evaporated, leaving only the hum of the city beyond the glass.
I looked up at Damon—vulnerability naked in my eyes. "I—"
My voice cracked, and I lowered my gaze to my trembling hands. "I'm pregnant."
His brow furrowed. "What?"
I swallowed against the lump in my throat. "I'm pregnant with your child."
Silence stretched—an impossible expanse—until my knees buckled. I slid from the ottoman and stumbled backward, heart pounding.
"Aria!"
He lunged forward. But I turned and ran.
I didn't stop until I reached my desk in the open-plan office. My fingers trembled over my keyboard as I typed out an excuse email to my team—my vision wavered with tears.
To: All Staff
Subject: Emergency – Working Remotely
My mouse hovered over "Send," but I clicked away, unable to finish.
I ducked beneath my desk, hugging my laptop like a shield. The room felt impossibly large, every cubicle a witness to my humiliation.
I pressed my cheek to the cool metal of the CPU tower and let the sobs shake me.
I trusted him.
I believed in him.
I believed… we had something real.
My fingers twitched over my email, but I couldn't bring myself to send it. I just wanted the world—and my betrayal—to disappear.
A soft footstep sounded at the edge of my cubicle.
"Aria?"
Maya's voice crackled through my concealed phone speaker. I'd forgotten I'd left it open on my desk.
"Maya… I can't…" I choked out a sob.
"Talk to me. What happened? Why are you hiding?"
I wiped my tears on my sleeve. "I saw them together. Damon and Celeste… in his office."
"Oh, Aria." Maya's tone was gentle, tender. "Are you hurt?"
I bit my lip. "He started to say something—when I told him I'm pregnant." My voice cracked. "Then I… I ran."
"Oh baby." Maya's voice filled with motherly concern. "Stay calm. I'm on my way."
I leaned back on my chair, hugging my knees. "I trusted him."
"I know." Her voice was fierce. "But don't jump to conclusions. Let him explain."
I stared up at the stark ceiling lights. "I don't know if I can."
"You have to." Maya's voice dropped to a whisper. "You told him you're carrying his child. He deserves a chance to respond."
My chest tightened. "What if he doesn't believe me? What if he thinks I'm lying?"
"He won't." Maya's certainty echoed through the receiver. "He cares about you. He'll come find you. Trust me."
I closed my eyes, pressing the phone to my ear. "Okay."
"Good. I'll be there in ten minutes. Don't move."
I slid out from under my desk and returned to my chair, hands shaking. The office was still—my colleagues typing, on calls, oblivious to my crisis.
I opened my email draft and stared at the blinking cursor. Suddenly, I didn't want to leave. I needed to face Damon.
A soft knock at my cubicle wall startled me.
"Aria?" Godson's head peeked over the divider. Concern flickered in his eyes. "Are you all right?"
I wiped my tears. "I… I need a moment."
He nodded and slipped away, offering me a small, protective smile.
The minutes crawled by. My phone buzzed again: Maya was downstairs, waiting.
I stood, heart pounding in my ears. I grabbed my bag and made my way back to Damon's door, each step heavier than before.
I pressed my hand to the frosted glass and paused. I could hear voices—Damon's, but no laughter this time. The office was quiet.
I inhaled, exhaled. Then I knocked—gentle but determined.
"Damon? It's me."
Silence.
Then the door clicked open.
He stood there, sleeves rolled, tie loosened, eyes tired. The warmth of his gaze washed over me—but it was shadowed by regret.
My breath caught. I had told him. Now the truth waited between us, fragile as a whispered secret.
He stepped aside. "Aria."
I met his eyes, my own brimming with tears. "You need to know…"
He held up a hand. "Before you say anything—"
My heart leapt. "Yes?"
He closed the distance between us, voice low and urgent. "I'm so sorry."
I blinked. "Sorry?"
His lips quivered. "I never meant to hurt you."
My chest tightened. "Then explain."
He swallowed, gaze dropping to the floor. "But first—"
He reached into his pocket and pulled out two handwritten cards. "You'll need these."
My breath caught as I recognized the familiar gold-embossed edges.
"Hospital." He placed one in my hand. "The address."
"Ultrasound." He handed me the second. "Appointment time."
Twins. It hit me anew: two lives, two hearts.
He took my shaking hand. "I'll be with you—every step of the way."
Tears spilled down my cheeks. "Why… why did you have her here?"
His jaw clenched. "She came to remind me of everything I almost lost."
My heart thudded in my chest. "What did she say to you?"
He closed his eyes, pain etched in every line of his face. "She said she was still in love with me."
A whisper of laughter escaped my lips despite the ache. "After everything?"
He opened his eyes, sorrow and something else glimmering there—hope? "Yes. She thought that would hurt me. Instead, it made me realize what I truly want."
My breath caught as the world shifted beneath me.
He lifted my chin. "I want you. And our children."
My breath hitched. The corridor outside felt miles away.
"But I deserve an explanation."
He nodded. "Let's talk—here, now."