Chapter 400

The entire first floor of the villa had been completely transformed. Hundreds of deep red roses were scattered across the marble floor, leading a clear, velvet path straight into the center of the massive living room. Soft, flickering candles were placed carefully along the walls, casting a warm, beautiful, golden glow over the dark house. Aria’s breath caught in her throat. Damian was standing at the end of the path of roses. He was wearing a simple black dress shirt and dark slacks, looking impossibly handsome in the dim, flickering candlelight. His dark eyes were locked onto her. Aria stood frozen at the bottom of the stairs, looking down at herself. She was wearing his massive, wrinkled shirt, looking absolutely huge, while he was standing in the middle of a romantic dream. Damian didn't seem to care what she was wearing. He walked slowly toward her, offering his large hand. Aria hesitated for a second before placing her small hand in his. He gently led her to the cente

Chapter 401

The delivery room was loud and chaotic. Machines beeped in a rapid rhythm, nurses moved quickly around the bright room, and Dr. Nee stood at the foot of the bed, issuing calm instructions over the noise. Damian felt like his heart was going to beat out of his chest. His blood ran cold with every scream that tore from Aria's throat. He stood right next to her bed, gripping her hand so tightly his knuckles were white. Her due date wasn't for another twenty days, and the sudden terror of the early labor was still gripping his lungs. "I am going to kill you!" Aria screamed, her face flushed red with sweat and agony as another contraction hit her. She dug her nails violently into his hand. "I am going to murder you, Damian!" "I know, baby, I know," Damian said quickly, leaning down to press a desperate kiss to her damp forehead. "You can kill me tomorrow. I swear. Just breathe, my love. You are doing so good." "Don't tell me to breathe!" Aria sobbed, her body shuddering as she squ

Chapter 402

Six months later. Aria shifted in her sleep, reaching her hand out across the warm mattress. Her fingers brushed against empty sheets. She blinked her eyes open. The bedroom was perfectly quiet, lit only by the faint silver moonlight spilling through the large windows. She pushed herself up, rubbing her tired eyes, and looked toward the corner of the room. The wooden crib was empty. Aria quietly threw off the heavy covers and walked out into the dark hallway. She found them in the nursery. A small nightlight cast a soft, warm glow across the walls. Damian was walking slowly back and forth across the thick rug, wearing nothing but loose gray sweatpants. He held six-month-old Ariella securely against his bare chest, gently swaying as he hummed a low, rumbling tune. Aria leaned against the doorframe, a soft smile touching her lips. She stayed completely quiet, just watching the two people she loved most in the world. The last six months had been beautiful, but incredibly exhausting

Chapter 403

The afternoon sun cast a warm, golden light across the gardens of the villa.Aria stood in front of the tall mirror in the master bedroom. She wore a simple, elegant white wedding dress that fell softly to the floor. There was no heavy lace or extravagant beading, just a beautiful, flawless design that fit her perfectly.Cassandra and Rose stood behind her. Cassandra wiped a stray tear from her cheek, gently adjusting the sheer veil over Aria’s dark hair."You look beautiful," Cassandra said softly, meeting Aria's eyes in the mirror.Rose crossed her arms, a teasing grin spreading across her face. "Damian is going to lose his mind when he sees you."Aria smiled, her heart beating a fast, happy rhythm against her ribs.When they first started planning, Damian had wanted a grand, extravagant wedding. He had wanted to rent out the biggest venue in the city, invite hundreds of guests, and let the whole world know she was his. But Ari

Bonus Chapter 1

The heavy oak door of the master bedroom clicked shut. That was the only warning Aria got. Before she could even turn around, Damian’s large hands gripped her waist. He spun her hard, pressing her back flush against the solid wood of the door. His mouth crashed down on hers instantly. There was no slow build-up, no gentle romance. It was a raw, starving need. Damian kissed her like he had been suffocating all day and she was his first breath of air. His tongue swept into her mouth, deep and demanding, claiming everything. Aria gasped into the kiss, her hands instantly reaching up to fist in the front of his crisp white shirt. The reception was still going on outside, and Leo and Rose had already taken Ariella to the guest wing for the night. They were completely alone, and Damian’s iron control had finally snapped. He broke the kiss for a fraction of a second, his chest heaving as he stared down at her with dark, obsessive eyes. “Mine,” he rasped, his voice rough. “Finally

Bonus Chapter 2

Morning sunlight streamed through the large windows of the nursery, casting a warm glow over the hardwood floor. Damian Cross, the most feared man in New York, sat cross-legged on a fluffy pink rug. He was currently taking orders from a one-year-old. Ariella sat across from him in her pajamas, babbling aggressively as she held out a bright yellow plastic block. "I understand," Damian said, his deep, rough voice entirely serious. "But structurally, the red one needs to go at the base." Ariella babbled louder, slapping the yellow block against his chest. Damian let out a heavy, defeated sigh. "Yellow it is." He took the small plastic piece with his scarred fingers and carefully placed it on top of the small tower he had built. The second he moved his hand away, Ariella instantly swatted the tower with her tiny fist. The blocks clattered across the rug. She let out a loud, delighted giggle, clapping her hands. Damian just stared at the ruined blocks. A slow, fond smile touch