Chapter 3 The Confrontation

Aria felt the shift the moment she stepped into the lobby.

A ripple in the air. A tension that had nothing to do with the rich carpets or silent chandeliers. It was instinct-the same feeling she'd had growing up in places where you always watched your back.

Something wasn't right.

She was pushing the cart toward the elevator when the doors slid open.

And he stepped out.

Damien Aldridge.

In person, he looked even more dangerous. Tall, sharp-suited, calm like a storm held behind a glass wall. His eyes locked on her with startling clarity, like he'd been waiting for this exact moment.

Her stomach dropped.

She tried to look away, but it was too late. His gaze had already pinned her in place.

"Aria," he said, like he'd known her name all along.

Her hands gripped the cart tighter. "I'm sorry, sir. Guests aren't supposed to address housekeeping staff directly-"

"I don't care about hotel protocol."

His voice was calm. Rich. Dangerous.

"I wanted to thank you... properly."

Her heart hammered. "I think you've got the wrong person."

"I don't." He stepped closer. "You saved me that night. Don't lie."

She took a step back. "Please, Mr. Aldridge. I don't know what you're talking about."

He didn't blink. "You're a terrible liar."

"Maybe," she whispered. "But I'm a great nobody. And I'd like to stay that way."

Damien studied her. Not just her face, but the way her hands trembled despite her steady voice. She was scared-but not of him.

Of what he represented.

Money. Exposure. Risk.

And suddenly, he wanted to know everything about her.

"I'm not here to make trouble," he said, more gently this time. "But I don't forget the people who save my life."

"Then forget me," she said quietly. "Please."

She turned to leave-but he stepped aside, blocking her path.

"You have secrets, Aria," he said. "And I have resources. Eventually, I'll find out."

She met his eyes, fire flashing beneath the fear. "Then I guess you'll have to decide-are you trying to save me... or destroy me?"

He didn't answer.

And she didn't wait for one.

She pushed past him and disappeared into the staff hallway.

Upstairs, Damien stood alone in the elevator, hands in his pockets, jaw clenched tight.

She was hiding something.

But what?

And why did it feel like she was hiding from more than just him?

Later that night, Aria stared at the city through her tiny apartment window, her phone clutched to her chest. Her mother was asleep. The world was quiet.

But inside her, everything was chaos.

Because Damien Aldridge had looked at her like she wasn't invisible.

Like he wanted to see every broken part.

And for the first time in a long time...

That terrified her more than anything.