Aria pov
I watched him gather Noah's things with surprising gentleness. This man who commanded boardrooms and destroyed competitors was carefully packing a toddler's favorite toys.
"You're good with him." The words slipped out. "Better than I expected."
"What did you expect?" He looked up. "That I'd ignore him like I ignored you?"
"Something like that."
"I was an idiot with you." He set down a toy truck. "Blind, stupid, cruel. But I won't make that mistake with Noah. He's innocent. He deserves better."
"So did I."
The words hung in the air between us.
"You're right." Damien moved closer. "You deserved everything I never gave you. Respect, attention, love. And I'll spend my life trying to give you all of it now, if you'll let me."
"Damien"
