Rejected by Him, Crowned by Power

htly in Aria's hands, bu

jaw tight, heart in his eyes

he said. "Was

at the skyline, at the past,

lly, her v

n them cracked

as if struck. "Why... w

off like I was a defective product. You didn't listen, d

if the truth had knock

?" he

no

e'

aised with everythi

t his voice was stea

then answer

eyes. "Does he

t yet. He thinks his fathe

e after th

Aria's A

arms folded as Aria poure

told

d

part of

idn't

ace her. "You s

fr

ightened arou

I remember him. T

true, then end it. Destroy hi

ll needs to feel it. I want him to b

eyes. "And what i

dn't a

- Damien's

ood in El

hed, and imag

had left behind. He couldn't picture the b

ch

ch

uilt, resenting Aria-never realizing he'd walked

and called someone he h

g to tell the board everything. About w

can

sure the next person y

hun

back at th

is," he whispered. "

ross Enterprises

he livestream

re the press, gri

he greatest one was betraying the onl

oed acros

ent. The accusations made against her were fal

e front row,

pology. It's accounta

ht. Her phone lit

y Admits Wrongdoin

mption or St

mysterious M

d the lap

hing she thought he was

ia walked into

a navy blanket dotted with st

e him and kisse

s not dead,"

red, but d

mes next," she murmur

idn't see the flash of a red laser dot

lowered a sniper rifle and

ated. The b

cont