Bound by One Night

Aria's nerves jangled with each passing hour until the next afternoon. She had barely slept, replaying worst-case scenarios in her mind. Now, as 2 PM loomed, she smoothed her clammy palms over her skirt and tried to appear unruffled.

She had chosen a simple outfit: a knee-length navy dress and a light cardigan—something inconspicuous. Thankfully, Damien had left early for the office, sparing her any awkward questions. Aria told the house staff she was meeting a coworker for lunch—a half-truth to cover her absence—then headed downtown.

Graystone Cafe was nestled on a calmer side street away from the main corporate drag. It was the kind of place one might find students studying or professionals grabbing a quiet coffee—neither fancy nor too casual. Aria arrived ten minutes early, her heart pounding.

She spotted Victor immediately through the cafe's front window. He had claimed a small table in the back corner. Dressed in a charcoal suit and crisp tie, he looked for all the world like a businessman on a casual coffee break. But the predatory gleam in his eyes as they met hers dispelled any illusion of normalcy.

Aria forced herself to enter. A bell chimed cheerily above the door, belying her dread. Inside, the rich smell of espresso hung in the air. Only a few patrons milled about—an elderly couple sharing a pastry, a young woman engrossed in her laptop. No one paid Aria any mind as she walked toward Victor's table on legs that felt like lead.

"Right on time," Victor remarked as she approached. He didn't stand—hardly a gentlemanly move—but gestured to the empty chair opposite him. "Sit."

Aria settled into the chair, keeping her back straight and chin lifted, trying to project a confidence she didn't feel. "I'm here. What do you want?" she asked quietly.

Victor leaned back, studying her with a maddening smirk. "Straight to business, then. I've been thinking about our situation—what's in it for me if I keep your secret."

Aria's stomach flipped, but she maintained her composure. "And?"

"I could ask for cash," Victor mused, flicking his gaze over her simple outfit with mild disdain, "but I suspect you don't have much. No—I have something bigger in mind. Your husband has power and connections. I want a piece of that."

Aria's blood ran cold. "You want me to use Damien to enrich you," she said flatly. "Pull strings for you, get you a business deal?"

Victor spread his hands. "Exactly. One word from the lovely Mrs. Blackwood, and maybe I land a lucrative contract. Doors tend to open for the Blackwoods' inner circle."

Anger flared beneath Aria's fear. "That's why you're doing this? So you can network your way into wealth?" It was so petty, so small compared to the nightmare she'd imagined.

Victor's expression hardened. "Don't act so high and mighty. After you vanished, your dear father's influence waned. Not to mention the scandal…" He let the implication hang, enjoying the way Aria flinched.

She clenched her fists under the table. Of course he'd bring up that. The downfall of the Lancaster name was a wound she tried not to pick at. "I have no influence on Damien's business decisions," she said tightly. "And even if I did, I wouldn't abuse it to help you."

He gave a cold smile. "Oh, I think you will. Unless you're okay with me spilling your identity to anyone who'll listen. I'm sure the media would love a story about the prodigal Lancaster daughter showing up as the wife of a self-made billionaire." He tutted. "Imagine the feeding frenzy. How long before someone digs up why you left your family, I wonder?"

Aria's blood ran colder. The reasons were deeply personal—and painful. If that part of her past came to light, it wouldn't just be a scandal for her. It could hurt innocent people. It could hurt Damien... and Noah.

"You're despicable," she whispered, voice shaking with barely-contained fury. "This is blackmail, plain and simple."

"Call it what you like." Victor shrugged, utterly unfazed. "I prefer to see it as a mutually beneficial arrangement. I keep my mouth shut, and eventually, you introduce me to your husband's circle. Perhaps suggest my company for a partnership. Grease the wheels a little."

Aria's mind whirled. Even if she agreed, how would she explain such a request to Damien without raising suspicions? "You're asking for something I can't guarantee," she argued. "Damien isn't swayed by personal favors. He won't entertain a partnership just because I ask."

"No?" Victor arched an eyebrow. "I'm sure a clever woman like you can find a way. After all, you already snagged him with a child, didn't you?"

The insult hit its mark. Aria sucked in a breath as if slapped. "How dare you—"

A shadow fell over the table. "Is everything alright here?"

Aria's heart lurched at the familiar baritone. She whipped her head around and her stomach dropped to her shoes.

Damien stood a few feet away, tension radiating off him. His gaze flicked from Aria to Victor with icy intensity. "I asked if everything is alright," he said, deceptively calm.

"I–It's fine," Aria stammered, lurching to her feet. Her mind raced for an explanation, any explanation, for what he'd just seen. "Damien, I—"

"Hello, Blackwood," Victor cut in smoothly, rising as well. He extended a hand, brazen as ever. "Victor Hayes. Old friend of Aria's. We were just catching up."

Damien's eyes flicked to the offered hand but he pointedly ignored it. Instead, he addressed Aria, each word clipped. "Catching up, hmm?"

Aria's pulse thundered in her ears. "Y-Yes," she lied, forcing what she hoped was a convincing smile. "Victor and I knew each other years ago. We ran into each other recently, so he suggested coffee. I didn't think to mention it—I'm sorry."

She was babbling. Damien's gaze bore into her, and she knew he didn't buy a word.

Victor cleared his throat, picking up his coat from the chair. "Well, I should be going. Lovely to see you, Aria," he said lightly, as if this were any normal reunion. He nodded at Damien, unfazed by the other man's withering stare. "A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Blackwood. I'm sure we'll cross paths again."