MasukARIA'S POV I had never felt more alive than I did in this exact moment. Xavier stood behind me, his breath warm against my neck as his fingers found the laces of my corset, the silk and bone contraption that had been squeezing me all evening for exactly this purpose.“You bought this dress for me, baby?” His voice rumbled low against my ear, sending shivers cascading down my spine like a waterfall of heat.I felt his fingers graze my bare skin as he slowly worked each lace free, his knuckles brushing against the curve of my spine, my shoulder blades, the sensitive dip where my back met my waist. Every touch was deliberate, every movement designed to drive me insane.“I bought it knowing you would take it off,” I breathed, leaning back against his chest. The hardness of his body pressed against me, solid, warm, and utterly intoxicating. “I bought it thinking about how you'd look at me. How you'd touch me.”He tugged the last lace, and the corset loosened around my ribs, my breasts sp
XAVIER'S POV“Surprise!” Aria yelled out of excitement, her voice echoing through the room.I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the warm glow of candlelight. The bedroom had been transformed. Rose petals covered the floor like a crimson carpet, leading from the door all the way to the bed. Candles flickered from every surface: the nightstands, the dresser, even the windowsill. Soft fairy lights were draped across the headboard, casting a golden shimmer over the white sheets. In the center of the room, a small table had been set up, covered in a white cloth with two plates, crystal glasses, and a bottle of champagne chilling in a bucket.It was simple, elegant, and extremely beautiful.And it was all for… me?“Xavier?” Aria's voice pulled me back. “Do you like it?”I turned to look at her. She was all smiles, her eyes bright, cheeks flushed with excitement. She looked like she was about to burst.“What's going on?” I asked, my voice rough.She didn't answer. Instead, she walked toward me
XAVIER'S POV The interrogation room felt smaller than it actually was.Maybe it was the grey walls. Or maybe it was because I'd been sitting here for almost forty minutes, wondering why the hell I was in a police station when the culprit is probably somewhere committing another crime.The price I have to pay for being a twin.I leaned forward, resting my forearms on the metal table.“Can someone tell me why I'm here?” I asked, my patience finally snapping. “I was shot, too. Last I checked, that makes me a victim.”The detective sitting across from me didn't even flinch.“Mr. Weston,” he said calmly, folding his hands together. “No one is accusing you of murder.”“Then why bring me here from an event with my wife?”“Because you're the last known visitor to see Mr. Grayson alive.”I let out a dry laugh. “So that automatically makes me a suspect?”“It makes you someone we need answers from.”I clenched my jaw but nodded.“Fine. Ask.”He opened the file in front of him.“Why were you at
ARIA'S POVThe car glided to a stop, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.Outside the tinted window, a sea of flashing lights awaited us. Paparazzi lined the red carpet, cameras raised, voices overlapping in a chaotic symphony of shouted questions. The building behind them was magnificent: glass and steel, soaring toward the bright sky, illuminated from within like a beacon.Xavier turned to me, his hand finding mine. “Ready?”I swallowed. “As I'll ever be.”He stepped out first, and the noise doubled. Then he reached back, took my hand, and helped me out of the car.The moment my heel touched the red carpet, the world exploded.“Mr. Weston! Over here!”“Mrs. Weston, look this way!”“Xavier! Aria! Give us a smile!”I forced a smile, my hand gripping Xavier's arm like a lifeline. He leaned down, his lips brushing my ear.“Just breathe. You're doing fine.”We walked down the carpet, pausing for photos, nodding at the occasional familiar face. The lights were blinding, the noise ov
ARIA'S POVI had been standing in front of the mirror for what felt like an eternity.The two stylists, a whirlwind of energy named Lucia and Elena, had been circling me like hawks since eight in the morning. They had dragged me out of bed before I could even blink, shoved me into a steaming shower, and spent the next two hours attacking my hair with brushes, curling irons, and enough product to open a small salon.Now, an hour after that, they were still debating.“No, no, no.” Lucia held a deep emerald dress against my body and shook her head vehemently. “This washes her out.”“What about this?” Elena held up a gold dress that sparkled like liquid sunlight.“It's too much. She's not a disco ball.”I sighed, my shoulders slumping. “Ladies, I appreciate the effort, but can we just pick one? Anyone. I'm begging you.”Lucia gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. “If you really hate us that much, just say so.”Elena nodded solemnly. “We love our lives, babe. And we are not ab
DEAN'S POV I stared at the laptop screen, the numbers blurring together. It was impossible to focus. My mind kept drifting back to the conversation between me and Xavier at the precinct, to his smug face when he said those words.‘You really think she loves you? She's been in my bed for weeks, Dean.’I shook my head, running a hand through my hair. No. It's not possible. Aria couldn't possibly love me that much and still sleep with Xavier.She was devoted. Loyal. She'd proven that over the years.It can't be true. It just can't.The door creaked open, and I looked up.Isabella stood there in a tiny red dress that barely covered her thighs. Her hips swayed as she walked toward me, a predatory smile playing on her glossy lips.“I thought you might need a break, baby.” Her voice was silk and honey.I forced my eyes back to the screen. “I'm working, Izzy.”“Are you?” She circled the desk, her fingers trailing across the polished wood. “Because you've been staring at the same page for twe
ARIA’S POV The hours blurred together until I completely lost track of time.At some point, the cold metal around my wrists stopped feeling uncomfortable and started feeling normal. That terrified me more than anything else.I sat quietly in the hard chair while officers walked past the room every
XAVIER’S POV“Pick up. Ian, please… pick up.”I paced across my office, my phone pressed tightly to my ear as the call rang endlessly.He had to know.He had to know that child wasn’t Dean’s before he did something reckless. Before he turned this entire situation into something bloody and irreversi
ARIA’S POV The loud crash from outside my door woke me from a deep sleep, making my heart leap into my throat.I groaned, blinking against the early morning light filtering through the curtains.“Isn’t it too early to piss people off?” I muttered under my breath.Dragging myself out of bed, I shuf
ARIA’S POV “Hello, Aria, what’s up?”“I can’t reach him.” I paced back and forth across the living room, dragging my fingers through my hair for what felt like the hundredth time. “Zara, it’s almost midnight and he’s not picking my calls.”The silence of the penthouse pressed in on me, heavy and s







