Chapter 97

Chapter 97
Damian’s POV
Midnight. I sat in my study waiting for Lorenzo's call. The whiskey on my desk was getting warm, but I wasn't in the mood to drink.
My mind kept going back to earlier tonight. Aria sleeping in my arms as I carried her to bed. She looked so small, so defenseless. The way she had unconsciously pressed her face against my chest, like she was seeking comfort even while unconscious.
When was the last time someone trusted me like that?
The answer was never. In my world, trust was earned through fear and respect. People stayed loyal because they had to, not because they wanted to. But Aria... even after everything I'd put her through, she still curled into me like I was her safe harbor.
The truth hit me hard. All this time, I told myself I was protecting her. Keeping her in the house, limiting her movements, controlling who she could see and where she could go. I called it protection, but really? I was just keeping her locked up like a prize I owned.
She wasn't some object to be guarded. She was a woman who deserved freedom, respect, choices. And I'd been too selfish and too scared to give her any of those things.
Not anymore.
My phone buzzed. Lorenzo.
"Talk to me," I answered.
"Boss, got some news about the maid Maria. She got paid three days before the banquet. Big cash payment, enough to buy silence."
I sat up straighter. "From who?"
"Montrosso family account. Hidden deep in their offshore holdings, but it's definitely theirs. Took some digging, but the trail leads back to them."
My jaw clenched. "What else?"
"Benedetta Russo recommended Maria for the job six weeks ago. Personally vouched for her to our head of staff. Said she was trustworthy, had good references."
Six weeks ago. I pulled up the timeline in my head. Right after Antonio had first mentioned his interest in adopting Aria at that dinner. The timing was too perfect to be coincidence.
"This wasn't just Adriana acting alone," I said.
"No sir. This has been planned for weeks. The whole Montrosso family is in on this, or at least the key players."
I stood up and walked to the window. My reflection stared back at me in the dark glass. "Get me the security footage from their estate. Everything from that night. Staff quarters, guest areas, kitchens, all of it."
"Already working on it. My contact there owes me a favor. Should have it by morning."
"And Lorenzo?"
"Yes, boss?"
"Dig deeper into Benedetta's finances. If she's taking Montrosso money, there might be other payments. Other favors."
"On it."
I hung up and stared out at the grounds. The security lights cast harsh shadows across the lawn. How many other shadows had I been blind to?
Benedetta Russo. The woman Antonio trusted above all others. If she was helping frame Aria, this conspiracy reached to the very heart of the Montrosso household.
But why? What did they gain by destroying Aria's reputation? Unless...
Unless they wanted to make sure she could never be accepted into Antonio's family.
The pieces were starting to fit together, but I needed more proof. More evidence. I needed to be absolutely certain before I made my move.
I walked quietly to our bedroom. The house was silent except for my footsteps on the marble floor. The servants had long since retired, and even the security team was keeping their distance tonight.
I opened the door carefully, making sure the hinges didn't creak. Aria was sleeping on her side, facing away from me. Her dark hair spilled across the white pillowcase like ink on paper.
But something was wrong. Even in her sleep, she was gripping her small handbag tight against her chest. Her knuckles were white with the force of her grip, like she expected someone to try and take it from her.
"I didn't steal anything," she whispered in her sleep, her voice small and defensive. "Non ho rubato niente. Please believe me."
Her face looked stressed, worried. Her brow was furrowed, lips pressed into a thin line. Even sleeping, she was still defending herself against accusations that should never have been made.
Damn it.
I'd seen Aria face down dangerous men without fear. I'd watched her handle my family's coldness with dignity intact. I'd seen her stand up to me when I was being an ass, never backing down even when she probably should have.
But seeing her like this—scared and defensive even in sleep—that hit me harder than any punch I'd ever taken.
I sat carefully on the edge of the bed, trying not to wake her. Up close, I could see the faint tracks of dried tears on her cheeks. She'd been crying before she fell asleep.
Because of what they did to her. Because of what I let happen.
I should have been there. Should have stopped the search the moment it started. Should have defended her honor instead of standing there like a statue while they humiliated her.
I gently touched her forehead, smoothing away the worry lines with my thumb. Her skin was warm, soft.
"Sleep, tesoro," I whispered. "You're safe now. I won't let anyone hurt you again."
Her face relaxed a little at my voice, like even unconsciously she recognized my presence as safety. But she never let go of that bag. Even in sleep, she was protecting herself.
I was going to find the truth. Not because she was my property, not for family honor or business advantages. Because Aria deserved better than this. She deserved to live without the shadow of false accusations following her everywhere.
She deserved justice.
And when I found who did this...
Cold anger filled my chest, the kind of controlled fury that had made my enemies fear me. The Montrosso family had made a serious miscalculation. They thought they could use Aria as a pawn in whatever game they were playing. They thought I'd accept their frame job and quietly dispose of her.
They were wrong.
I stayed by her side for another hour, watching her sleep. Gradually, the tension left her body and her breathing became deep and steady. Only when I was sure she was truly at peace did I allow myself to acknowledge what I'd been feeling for weeks.
I kissed her forehead softly, a promise sealed in the darkness. I'll clear your name, Aria. And I'll make them pay for what they've done to you.
Dawn was starting to break when I returned to my study. Pink and gold light crept across the horizon, painting the sky in soft colors that reminded me of Aria's smile.
I had work to do. Conspiracies to expose. Justice to deliver.
I pulled out a notebook and started making lists. The Montrosso family thought they were untouchable, but everyone had weaknesses. Everyone had secrets they didn't want exposed.
As I sat down to plan my next move, I kept hearing Aria's sleepy words: "I didn't steal anything."
No, tesoro. You didn't. But someone wants everyone to think you did. And I'm going to find out who.