Chapter 2 The Look in His Eyes

Aria didn't look back for even a second.

She walked away from Damien like he was nothing. But inside, her hands were cold.

Her heart was beating fast. Not from fear but from anger.

She had imagined this moment so many times. In her dreams, she slapped him. In some, she laughed in his face.

But now, seeing him again after three years, her chest felt tight.

She hated that.

She didn't want to feel anything for him.

He didn't deserve it.

Aria found an empty seat at a corner table and sat down, crossing her legs. She picked up a glass of champagne and took a slow sip.

Across the room, Damien was still staring at her.

He hadn't moved.

Good.

Let him wonder why she was here.

Let him regret.

Aria's phone buzzed.

Text from Lila: He saw you?

She smiled and typed back:

Yes. He's staring like I'm the ghost of his past sins.

Another message came in.

Lila: Be careful. He's dangerous.

Aria's smile faded.

She knew that.

Damien wasn't just a heartbreaker. He was cruel. Cold. He didn't just cheat, he destroyed.

And Aria had to be smarter this time.

She stood up and walked toward the balcony. The cool night air brushed against her skin. The city lights sparkled below.

She needed a moment to breathe.

She heard footsteps behind her.

She didn't turn.

But she knew.

It was him.

Damien.

"Aria," he said softly.

She didn't reply.

He stepped closer.

"You look..." he paused. "You look incredible."

"Better than your wife?" she asked without turning around.

Silence.

"She's not my wife anymore," he said. "We got divorced last year."

She finally turned to look at him.

The wind blew her hair gently, but her eyes were steady.

"Why?" she asked. "She found out you're a liar too?"

Damien sighed. "I made mistakes."

"No," Aria said, her voice sharper now. "You made choices. Big difference."

He didn't answer.

Aria looked him up and down.

Same strong jaw. Same dark eyes.

Same man who ruined her.

But she was not the same woman.

"You're different," he said. "Colder. Stronger."

"Good," she replied. "Because the old me died when you left."

They stared at each other.

Seconds passed.

Heavy and silent. Full of memories.

"I never stopped thinking about you," he said quietly.

Aria raised an eyebrow.

"Is that supposed to mean something to me?"

He stepped closer, but she held up a hand.

"Don't," she warned.

He stopped.

"I don't know why you're here," he said. "But I want to talk. Really talk."

Aria looked at him for a long time. Then she smiled.

"Fine. Let's talk, Damien. But not here. Like I said earlier not tonight."

He nodded slowly.

As she turned to walk back inside, she heard his voice one last time.

"I missed you."

Aria didn't stop walking.

But in her mind, she whispered:

Good.

Now watch me become everything you lost...

and everything you'll never have again.