DAMIEN BLACKWOOD (ML)

28

A billionaire and CEO with a reputation as ruthless as his ambition, Damien Blackwood is not a man to be crossed. Known for his aggressive approach and a cold, penetrating gaze, he commands both fear and respect in every room he steps into. Handsome and sharply dressed, he's as intimidating as he is captivating, with zero tolerance for anything—or anyone—that annoys him. Betrayals? Unforgivable. Public opinion? Irrelevant. Damien lives by his own rules, focused solely on his empire and unwilling to let anything or anyone distract him. He's a force of nature who will stop at nothing to get what he wants… but what he wants might not be what he's used to.

ARIA GRAYSON (Fl)

20

Gentle, soft-spoken, and as innocent as she is brilliant, Aria Grayson has always followed the rules. Her kindness and sweet nature make her a rare soul, though her soft heart sometimes makes her vulnerable. Focused on her studies and always striving to please her parents, Aria has never stepped out of line—until now. Though she despises Salvatore with an intensity she barely understands, life is about to push her into uncharted territory, where her innocence may no longer be enough. This reborn Aria is on a path to discover the strength hidden within her, one step at a time.

Prologue

"No... don’t kill me, please! I promise, I won’t interfere in your lives again!" she pleaded desperately. But her words faded into silence as the gunshot echoed, and her world went dark.

Yet, the next morning, she opened her eyes—alive. Dazed, she stumbled to the mirror, her heart pounding. They killed me… or didn’t they? When she checked the date on the calendar, shock froze her: it was 2022. She had been given a second chance, reborn to the moment before her life spiraled into betrayal and deceit.

This time, no more naivety, she vowed, a fierce spark igniting within her. She would make them pay for every betrayal. And her plan started with finding the one person she needed for her revenge—but would Damian help?

With a silent prayer for courage, she headed toward his company, determined to change her destiny.

"But to help her, he sets a condition."

Join Aria on her journey of vengeance, a tale where love and betrayal collide, and no one will be left untouched.

Hello, dear readers!

Are you ready to dive into a tale filled with vengeance, redemption, and an unexpected love that defies all odds? Damien Blackwood is ruthless, untouchable, and always in control—until Aria Grayson steps into his world, carrying a past drenched in betrayal and a fiery determination for revenge.

This is a story of second chances, where innocence meets ambition, and secrets unravel amidst a storm of emotions. Will Aria succeed in rewriting her destiny, or will Damien become her greatest challenge yet?

If you love gripping twists, intense romance, and characters that will stay with you long after the last page, then this story is for you. Follow Aria and Damien’s journey and support their tale!

Aria pov

"Please, don't kill me! I'll go away from here, I swear. I'll never bother you guys again… just let me go!" My voice, broken and desperate, echoed in the darkness. But there was no mercy, only coldness.

The last thing I felt was something piercing my heart, a sharp, searing pain ripping through me. A scream tore from my throat, and then… nothing.

I jolted awake, a cry escaping my lips, gasping for air as if I'd been held underwater. My breathing was wild, uneven. My heart pounded against my ribs, and a cold sweat clung to my skin, soaking through my clothes. I glanced around, feeling disoriented, my vision blurred.

This room… I knew this room. It was my own. Familiar walls, familiar bed. But how?

My mind reeled, struggling to make sense of it. Was it just a dream? No, it had felt far too real—the fear, the pain, the last desperate plea before I was silenced. I couldn't shake the feeling that it had happened. That I had died.

"Aria!" My mother's voice pulled me out of my frantic thoughts, and I looked up, seeing her rush into the room. Her face was pale, worry etched across her features, and she quickly knelt by my bedside. I could see her mouth moving, but her words were muffled, lost in the fog clouding my mind.

She placed a gentle hand on my forehead, as if trying to soothe me. "Oh dear, are you okay? Why did you scream, Aria?"

I stared at her, my thoughts racing. How am I alive? The question pounded in my head, relentless and insistent. I had felt the pain—I'd felt my heart stop. Yet here I was, in my own bed, safe and unharmed. It didn't make sense.

"Mom," I said, my voice barely more than a whisper, my hands trembling. "What's the date today?"

She looked at me, her worry deepening, her brows knitting together in confusion. "What's wrong with you, Aria?"

"Mom, please. Just tell me what day it is," I pressed, my voice cracking. "And the year… please, what year is it?"

Her eyes filled with alarm, and she hesitated before answering. "It's 2022, sweetheart. March 10. Why are you asking? Did you have a nightmare?"

2022… I repeated the year in my mind, letting it settle, sink in. March 10. I'd gone back in time, back to a point before everything had fallen apart. My hands clutched the blanket as realization dawned on me. I had another chance.

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I tried to process it. I didn't know how or why, but I had been given this opportunity. Fate had thrown me a lifeline, a chance to change everything.

My mother's worry grew as she watched me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. I reached out and hugged her tightly, burying my face against her shoulder. The relief of feeling her warmth and knowing she was safe overwhelmed me, and I had to swallow back the sobs that threatened to spill out.

"Mom, don't cry," I murmured, trying to reassure her. "I'm okay. I just… I just had a bad dream."

"Are you sure, Aria?" she asked, her voice filled with concern as she held me tightly. "You scared me so much."

I pulled back slightly, forcing a smile that I hoped would ease her worry. "I'm fine, really," I lied, knowing she wouldn't understand the storm raging inside me. "I was just… it felt so real. But I'm okay now. I promise."

She studied me, uncertainty flickering in her gaze, but she eventually nodded. "Alright. Your dad's waiting downstairs for breakfast. Come down whenever you're ready."

I watched as she left, trying to steady my breathing. My hands were still shaking as I reached up to wipe away the last traces of sweat on my forehead. The world around me seemed familiar and strange all at once, as if I were living in a dream.

How is this possible? My mind circled the question, searching for answers, but none came. There was only one thing I knew for sure: this was my chance. A chance to fix my mistakes, to protect myself, to right the wrongs.

I pushed myself out of bed, moving to the closet to grab my clothes with shaky hands. I needed to clear my mind, to try and gather my thoughts.

Once in the bathroom, I turned on the shower, letting the warm water flow over me. I closed my eyes, hoping it would help wash away the confusion, the fear. But as I stood there, the memories came flooding back, sharper and more vivid than ever.

Faces swirled in my mind—the people who had betrayed me, who had taken everything I cared about. I'd been so naive, trusting, willing to believe in them without a second thought. And in the end, they'd used me, broken me, and left me for dead.

A surge of anger rose within me, fierce and unyielding, chasing away the fear and replacing it with something else. Determination. This time, I wouldn't be their victim. I wouldn't allow myself to be deceived, manipulated, or broken. This time, I would be in control.

I turned off the shower, gripping the edge of the sink as I stared into the mirror. My reflection looked back at me, but I barely recognized the girl who stared back. She looked vulnerable, shaken. But I knew that would change. This time, I will be strong. I will protect myself.

As I dressed and prepared to go downstairs, my mind was already racing, piecing together a plan. I would need to be careful, to stay one step ahead. I couldn't let them suspect a thing. If they knew I was back, if they even suspected I remembered what they'd done…

But they wouldn't. I would be smarter this time, more calculating. I would rebuild my life on my own terms, and if they tried to stand in my way, they would regret it.

Hello, dear readers!

Are you ready to dive into a tale filled with vengeance, redemption, and an unexpected love that defies all odds? Damien Blackwood is ruthless, untouchable, and always in control—until Aria Grayson steps into his world, carrying a past drenched in betrayal and a fiery determination for revenge.

This is a story of second chances, where innocence meets ambition, and secrets unravel amidst a storm of emotions. Will Aria succeed in rewriting her destiny, or will Damien become her greatest challenge yet?

If you love gripping twists, intense romance, and characters that will stay with you long after the last page, then this story is for you. Follow Aria and Damien’s journey and support their tale!

Author's pov

Aria could still feel the sting of betrayal as she stared at herself in the bathroom mirror. Her boyfriend—someone she'd trusted implicitly—and her cousin had shattered her heart with their deceit. Her reflection seemed foreign, as if the hurt and anger in her eyes belonged to someone else. She was determined to hold back her tears, but her emotions betrayed her, the ache manifesting in silent drops that rolled down her cheeks. The warm water washed over her, almost like it was urging her not to cry. Each drop whispered: Don't let them see you broken. Don't give them that satisfaction. Take your revenge.

With a deep breath, Aria let the water cleanse her face, but this time, it wasn't about hiding her tears—it was about finding clarity. By the time she turned off the shower and wrapped herself in a towel, her mind was clear, her purpose resolute. Today was going to be different.

She dressed quickly, choosing clothes that made her feel confident, even if her insides felt raw and exposed. As she descended the stairs, her family's laughter greeted her, and for a moment, everything felt… normal. Her parents sat around the table, her siblings talking about their plans for the day. The familiarity of it all struck her, reminding her of the life she'd once cherished—one she wanted to protect, even if it meant hiding her pain.

"Come here, sweetheart," her mother called out as she noticed Aria lingering at the foot of the stairs. "You mentioned you were hungry. I made some pancakes just for you."

Aria forced a smile, hoping it looked genuine. "Thank you, Mom," she replied, sliding into a chair and picking up her fork. The warmth of her mother's care, the smell of fresh pancakes—it was almost enough to make her forget, if only for a moment.

Her mother's eyes lingered on her, soft but concerned. "Are you feeling alright? You seemed a little… distracted yesterday."

Guilt flared up in Aria's chest. She didn't want to worry her mother, not when there was nothing her family could do about the storm brewing inside her. She shook her head, mustering a reassuring tone. "I'm fine, Mom. I just had a bad dream. Nothing to worry about."

After breakfast, Aria quietly retreated to her room, her resolve strengthening with each step. She grabbed her purse, took a deep breath to steady herself, and headed back downstairs. Pausing only for a moment, she leaned down to kiss her mother on the cheek.

"Mom, I'm going to meet some friends," she said, trying to keep her voice light and casual.

Her mother gave her a knowing smile. "Alright, sweetheart. Be safe."

With that, Aria walked out the door, her heart pounding as she got into her car. She had a destination in mind—a towering building at the heart of the city, where Damien, a powerful figure she'd only heard stories about, ran his business empire. She didn't know if he'd be willing to see her, let alone help her, but she needed someone with the kind of authority that could turn her plans into action.

The drive was a blur. Thoughts of her boyfriend's deceit, her cousin's betrayal, and her family's kindness mixed together in a whirlwind of emotions that made her hands tremble on the steering wheel. But as she approached the sleek, modern building, she took a few steadying breaths, letting her focus sharpen. She couldn't afford to be distracted now.

Stepping inside the building, she was immediately struck by its sophistication. It was busy but silent, filled with people who seemed focused, professional, all moving with purpose. Aria made her way to the receptionist, a polished woman with a nameplate that read Mandy. Mandy greeted her with a polite smile, her eyes scanning Aria's face with practiced precision.

"Hello, madam. How may I help you today?" Mandy asked in a friendly but formal tone.

Aria straightened her posture, attempting to match the receptionist's professionalism. "I'd like to meet Mr. Damien."

The receptionist's expression didn't waver, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. "Do you have an appointment, madam?"

Aria hesitated, realizing how impulsive her plan might seem. "No, I don't have an appointment. But it's urgent."

Mandy gave her a sympathetic smile, but there was a hint of firmness in her response. "I'm sorry, but without an appointment, I can't allow you to go in. Mr. Damien's schedule is very tight."

Aria felt a wave of desperation rising. She couldn't leave without at least trying. "Please, just call him. Tell him my name—Aria. If he says no, I'll leave. But please, just ask him once."

The receptionist hesitated, her gaze softening. After a moment, she nodded, picking up the phone. "One moment, please."

Aria's heart pounded as Mandy spoke into the receiver. "Yes, Mr. Damien? There's a Miss Aria here asking to see you." She paused, listening intently, and Aria felt her pulse quicken as Mandy's eyebrows raised slightly in surprise.

"Yes, sir," Mandy said after a brief pause. She hung up the phone and turned to Aria with a faint smile. "You may go up, madam. Please take the elevator to the top floor."

Relief washed over Aria as she thanked Mandy and made her way to the elevator. She pressed the button, the wait feeling both endless and fleeting. The doors finally opened, and she stepped inside, watching the floors tick by as the elevator ascended, her heartbeat accelerating with each passing moment.

When the doors opened on the top floor, she was greeted by an expanse of luxurious offices, all sleek lines and glass walls. She found herself standing before Damien's door, which loomed larger than life. Gathering her courage, she raised her hand and knocked.

"Come in."

His voice was deep and cold, devoid of warmth. Aria stepped inside, and for a moment, she couldn't see him. He was standing by the window, his back turned to her, looking out over the city skyline. The silence stretched, and she felt an unfamiliar mix of intimidation and admiration.

Hello, dear readers!

Are you ready to dive into a tale filled with vengeance, redemption, and an unexpected love that defies all odds? Damien Blackwood is ruthless, untouchable, and always in control—until Aria Grayson steps into his world, carrying a past drenched in betrayal and a fiery determination for revenge.

This is a story of second chances, where innocence meets ambition, and secrets unravel amidst a storm of emotions. Will Aria succeed in rewriting her destiny, or will Damien become her greatest challenge yet?

If you love gripping twists, intense romance, and characters that will stay with you long after the last page, then this story is for you. Follow Aria and Damien’s journey and support their tale!