Chapter 6 The First Crack

Aria lit just one candle on the table.

She didn't want it to feel romantic.

She wanted the room to feel... tense and uncomfortable for her guest.

She placed two glasses of wine down.

One in front of her.

One in front of the empty chair.

But right in the center of the table-

She placed the photo.

The proof.

Damien's betrayal in black and white.

She waited.

At exactly 7:00 p.m., the doorbell rang.

She quickly opened the door with a calm smile.

Damien stood there in a dark button-down shirt, holding a small bouquet of flowers.

"Hi," he said softly.

Aria raised a brow. "Flowers? Are we dating now?"

He chuckled. "I just thought it'd be nice."

She stepped aside. "Come in."

He walked in, looked around.

"It's cozy."

"It's dangerous," Aria whispered.

But he didn't hear.

They sat.

Damien picked up his wine glass.

Then-

He saw it.

The photo.

His eyes locked on the image.

Slowly, he reached for it.

But Aria grabbed it first.

"Recognize it?"

Damien swallowed. "Where... where did you get that?"

"Doesn't matter. Is it real?"

He paused.

"I-"

"Don't lie."

Damien looked down.

"Yes."

Aria leaned forward.

"You paid someone to ruin me."

He nodded slowly. "It was Vanessa's idea. She said you were in the way. That if I didn't end things with you, she'd leave me. I panicked."

"So you destroyed me?"

"I didn't mean to-"

"You didn't mean to?" Her voice was sharp now. "You watched me cry. You watched me break. You knew the truth. And you said nothing."

"I was scared."

"No you weren't," she snapped. "You were selfish."

Silence.

Damien looked broken.

"I regret it," he whispered.

"Regret won't fix it."

She stood up.

Walked to the window.

Then turned back.

"You think I invited you here to forgive you?"

"I hoped," he said.

Aria laughed, bitter.

"No, Damien. This is just the beginning."

He looked up, confused. "What do you mean?"

She stepped closer.

"I'm going to make you fall for me again."

His eyes widened.

"And when you do," she whispered, "I'll tear your heart out. Just like you did to me."

Damien stood to leave.

But Aria stepped in his path.

"You said you wanted to play. I'm giving you a chance."

He stared at her.

"You're serious."

"Dead serious."

He took a breath.

Then smiled slightly. "Okay. Let's play."

Aria smiled back-

But her eyes were ice.

"Good. Because I always win."