Chapter 7 Aria Agrees To Marry Damian

The next morning came faster than Aria expected. She hadn’t slept much. Her body might have been still, but her mind was a battlefield, haunted by memories of Damian’s touch, his commanding voice, and the shocking truth of who he really was. She stared at the caller ID again, Damian De Luca. Just his name made her stomach twist with anxiety… and something else she didn’t want to admit, excitement. “What am I doing?” she whispered to herself as she stood in front of her mirror, applying a light coat of makeup. Her hands trembled slightly. She’d chosen a simple white blouse and a pencil skirt, trying to look formal, composed… but no amount of clothing could disguise the turmoil inside her. Fiona walked in holding a coffee mug. “So… are you seriously going?” Aria took a deep breath. “I don’t have a choice. You didn’t hear his voice last night, Fiona. He’s not someone you say no to.” “Yeah, I noticed,” Fiona muttered. “That man oozes danger. And sex. It’s scary.” Aria gave her a look. “Not helping.” “Just be careful, Aria. He’s not Marco. He’s… something else entirely.” Aria nodded. She knew that too well. “I’ll go and tell him that I made a stupid mistake. I’ll tell him I’m not interested in the marriage anymore.” “Yes, just tell him you weren’t thinking straight,” Fiona said. “Oh Lord, help me,” Aria muttered as she left the house. She sat in a taxi, her eyes watching the city blur past, thinking of how she'll talk to damian, until something, someone, caught her attention. Through the window, she saw Marco. He was opening the car door for Elena, helping her inside before driving off with her. Tears welled up in her eyes. Her heart squeezed painfully as old memories came rushing in, his smile, their long conversations, their engagement… and then his betrayal. Her grief quickly turned into rage. “You ruined my life, Marco,” she thought bitterly, “now I’ll ruin yours.” She reached the De Luca mansion. Her emotions churned violently as she marched straight toward Damian’s study and knocked on the door. “Right on time,” Damian said smoothly as he looked up and saw her. He stood and walked over to her, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You seem tense.” “You ruined my life, Marco. Just wait and watch,” Aria thought darkly. “I’m ready to marry you,” she said firmly. Damian raised a brow and smiled. “Just yesterday, you said you made a mistake. What changed all of a sudden?” “Nothing. I’m ready to marry you,” she repeated, her voice steady. Damian smirked and tilted his head. “I’ll give you one more chance to walk away, Aria. Because once you sign this… you’ll be mine forever.” She should have walked away. She should have thought about her life, her future. But all she could think of was revenge. “I’m not leaving,” Aria said. Damian’s smile widened. He picked up a paper from his desk and handed it to her with a pen. “Sign the papers.” “What is this?” she asked. “Marriage certificate,” Damian replied smoothly. “Sign it, and we’ll become one, Aria.” He sipped his drink as she hesitated, but then she signed. He took the papers from her, then pulled her by the waist, making her breath hitch. “Don’t be scared. You shouldn’t be scared of your husband, right?” “I… I have to go home and pack my things. I’ll come back tomorrow,” Aria said quickly. “Why? I can get you whatever you want. Just say it.” “No, it’s fine. I also have to inform my friend.” “Fine, then. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He leaned in, his voice low and warm. “Don’t keep me waiting.” Then he kissed her neck. Aria stepped out of the mansion with her thoughts in chaos. Had she made the right decision? Was this bravery or foolishness? She returned home, and Fiona immediately asked, “So? How did it go?” Aria sank onto the couch. “I agreed to marry him. I signed the papers.” Fiona’s eyes widened in horror. “You did what?! Are you insane? That man could ruin your life!” Aria broke down. “I saw him, Fiona. He was with her. Marco didn’t even call me once after our engagement was broken. He didn’t try to explain… to reach out… nothing.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. Fiona pulled her into a hug. “I loved him. And he threw me away like I meant nothing.” Fiona stroked her hair. “I know, honey. I know.” After a while, Aria wiped her tears and stood up. “Enough. I’ll deal with him.” She marched into her room and began packing her things. Fiona stood by the door, worried. “Aria, are you sure? He’s a mafia don. If he finds out you’re using him for revenge—” “He’ll kill me?” Aria finished, turning to look at her. “Maybe. But I’m not scared. Not anymore.” Fiona said nothing. “I just can’t wait to see the look on Marco’s face when he sees me tomorrow… at the De Luca mansion… as his father’s wife.” That evening, Marco returned home. He walked straight to the study where Damian sat with a glass of whiskey. “Welcome, son,” Damian said casually. “You’ve been away from home since your engagement.” Marco didn’t respond. Damian smirked. “By the way, you didn’t tell me what happened that day. I haven’t seen your fiancée yet.” “There’s no need,” Marco said coldly. “It’s been cancelled.” Damian raised an eyebrow. “Why?” “She’s not really worth it.” Damian chuckled softly. “So… why did you realize this on your engagement day?” Marco avoided his eyes. “Forget it, Dad. Why did you call me here?” Damian leaned back in his chair, swirling the drink. “I have a surprise for you tomorrow. I want you to be home.” Marco frowned. “What surprise?” Damian smiled. “Don’t be in a rush, Marco. Wait until tomorrow… and you’ll see.”