Aria’s POV
The penthouse looked like a dinosaur had exploded inside it.
Green and orange strears hung from every surface I could reach. Balloon dinosaurs bobbed against the ceiling, their strings tangling together. The "Dinosaurs with Volcanoes" banner stretched across the main living area, slightly crooked because Damien had insisted on hanging it himself. The T-Rex piñata dangled near the windows, swaying in the breeze from the terrace.
"Mama, look!" Noah pointed at the massive bouncy castle taking up half the terrace. His whole face lit up. "It’s so big!"
"It’s very big." I shot Damien a look over Noah’s head.
He shrugged, that boyish grin spreading across his face. "I may have underestimated the size on the website."
"You ordered a comrcial-grade bouncy castle for eighteen four-year-olds."
"Is that bad?"
"It’s insane." But I was smiling, couldn’t help it. "They’re going to love it."
The elevator dinged. Olivia stepped out carrying an enormous cake box, her auburn curls fighting against the wind from the terrace. She was already breathing hard.
"Please tell that’s the chocolate monstrosity Noah requested." I moved to help her, taking one side of the box.
"Chocolate cake, chocolate frosting, chocolate chips, and—because I’m extra—chocolate dinosaur decorations." We set the box on the counter together. The cardboard was warm under my hands. "This thing weighs more than Noah."
"You’re the best." I pulled her into a hug. She slled like sugar and vanilla.
"I know." She pulled back, surveying the decorations. Her eyes went wide. "Damien went all out, didn’t he?"
"That’s one way to put it." I glanced at where Damien was testing the bounce castle with Noah, both of them laughing as they jumped. The plastic squeaked under their weight. "He’s been planning for weeks."
"It’s sweet." Olivia leaned against the counter, her hip pressing into the marble. "Seeing him try so hard."
"It is." I watched them together. Damien’s suit jacket was already off, sleeves rolled up. Noah was gripping his hand, bouncing higher. "I just hope nothing ruins it."
"Nothing will ruin it." She squeezed my arm, her fingers were warm. "Today is about Noah. Everything else can wait."
The next hour was chaos. Children arrived in waves, their parents lingering to admire the penthouse. I heard the whispers—couldn’t help but hear them. Voices carrying across the marble floors, echoing off the high ceilings.
"Is that really him?"
"Damien Blackwood hosting a birthday party?"
"I heard she disappeared for years..."
I smiled through introductions. Shook hands that felt limp and judgntal. Accepted their polite congratulations that didn’t reach their eyes and tried not to think about what they were really thinking. That I was the woman who’d trapped a billionaire with a baby. That I’d disappeared for years and co back for money. That I didn’t belong in this world of wealth and power.
"Stop it." Damien appeared at my elbow, his hand finding the small of my back. His palm was warm through my blouse. "Stop thinking whatever you’re thinking."
"I’m not"
"You’re doing that thing where you smile but your eyes go distant." His thumb traced circles on my spine, the pressure gentle but grounding. "They don’t matter, only Noah matters today."
"I know." I leaned into his touch without aning to. "I just"
"Daddy!" Noah crashed into us, dragging another boy by the hand. Both their faces were flushed from jumping. "This is Tommy! He wants to see the dinosaur room!"
"There’s a dinosaur room?" Tommy’s eyes went wide as saucers.
"Of course there’s a dinosaur room." Damien crouched to their level, his knees cracking slightly. "Want to show you?"
"Yes!" Both boys chorused, their voices high and excited.
"Go." I laughed, pushing him gently. "I’ll handle the other arrivals."
Damien stood, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead. His lips were soft, warm. "You’re amazing."
Then he was gone, leading a parade of children toward the room he’d spent the last week transforming. Their footsteps thundered down the hallway. I could hear excited chatter, questions tumbling over each other.
"That man is whipped." Olivia appeared with juice boxes, the plastic packages crinkling in her arms. "Like, embarrassingly whipped."
"He’s just trying to be a good father."
"He’s trying to win you back." She handed a juice box. The box was cold, condensation already forming. "And honey, it’s working."
"It’s not"
"It was adorable." Lucas Hayes stepped onto the terrace, holding a wrapped present. His tie was loosened, jacket rumpled. "Sorry I’m late, work ergency."
Perfect timing.
"Lucas." I smiled, genuine this ti. My plan from yesterday clicked into place. "You didn’t have to co."
"Of course I did." He set the present on the gift table, adjusting it so the bow faced forward. "Noah invited personally very politely, I might add."
"That’s because Damien taught him phone etiquette." I glanced at Olivia, who had suddenly beco very interested in arranging juice boxes. Her shoulders were tense. "You rember Olivia, right? My best friend?"
"Of course." Lucas’s face brightened. He walked over to where she stood. "Dr. Grant, we t before."
"We did." Olivia turned, her cheeks already pink. "Good to see you again."
I watched them carefully. The way Olivia’s fingers twisted together. The way Lucas’s smile softened when he looked at her.
"Olivia was just saying she needs help setting up the gas area." I lied smoothly, moving to stand beside them. "All those parents will want sothing for the kids to do besides the bouncy castle. Would you mind giving her a hand? I need to finish greeting everyone."
Olivia’s eyes shot to but I ignored her.
"Happy to help." Lucas took off his jacket, draping it over a chair. "What needs doing?"
"The—um—the pin-the-tail ga." Olivia stamred slightly. "And the piñata needs to be secured better, the wind keeps moving it."
"Let’s handle it." Lucas gestured toward the ga supplies. "Lead the way."
I watched them walk away together. Olivia glanced back at once, her expression promising murder later. I just smiled innocently.
"Subtle," Damien murmured, appearing at my side.
"I have no idea what you’re talking about."
"You’re matchmaking."
"I’m creating opportunities." I took a sip of water. "There’s a difference."
The party shifted into full swing. Children bounced in the castle, the plastic walls shaking with their jumps. They played the gas that Lucas and Olivia had set up together. I kept finding excuses to keep them near each other.
"Olivia, can you help Lucas carry those extra chairs from inside?"
"Lucas, Olivia knows where we keep the extra napkins. Mind giving her a hand?"
"You two should supervise the piñata, make sure no one gets hurt."
Each ti, they stayed together a little longer. I watched Lucas make Olivia laugh while they were tying down the piñata. Her whole face lit up, the afternoon sun catching in her hair. He was smiling too, that warm genuine smile.
"You’re shaless," Damien whispered during the chaos of pizza distribution.
"I’m effective." I nodded toward where Lucas was showing Olivia sothing on his phone. Both of them were laughing. "Look at them."
"I’m looking." His arm ca around my waist. "Playing Cupid suits you."
The party continued in a blur. I found him in the dinosaur room, surrounded by kids. He was on the floor, acting out a T-Rex battle with Noah. His expensive pants were probably ruined but he didn’t seem to care.
"And then" Damien roared, his voice deep and exaggerated. He chased Noah on his knees. "The mighty T-Rex catches his prey!"
He scooped Noah up, spinning him. Both of them laughed. The sound filled the room. My heart did that stupid flutter thing it had been doing lately.
"You’re good at this," I said when the children scattered to other toys.
"At what?" He set Noah down, brushing dust off his pants.
"Being a dad." I moved closer, stepping over scattered dinosaur figures. "Being silly and present."
"I’m making up for lost ti." His eyes held mine, they were so blue in the afternoon light streaming through the windows. "Every second counts."
"Damien"
"Mama! Daddy!" Noah tugged both our hands, his fingers sticky with sothing. "Picture ti! Grandma Olivia said it’s picture ti!"
"Grandma Olivia?" I raised an eyebrow at Olivia, who was setting up a photo backdrop near the windows. Lucas stood beside her, helping adjust the lighting.
"The kid decided." She shrugged, adjusting her cara. "I’m rolling with it."
I bit back a smile. Even during photo ti, they were together. We gathered the children for group photos. Eighteen small humans who refused to stand still. They wiggled, picked their noses. Made faces. The cara clicked over and over.
"Okay, birthday boy." Olivia adjusted her cara, squinting through the viewfinder. "You and your parents."
My stomach tightened.
"Co on, Mama." Noah pulled toward the backdrop, his hand warm and insistent in mine.
Damien was already there, waiting as he held out his hand. I took it. His palm was warm, slightly rough and our fingers fit together naturally.
We positioned ourselves with Noah between us, but Damien’s arm ca around my waist. He pulled close, his hand splayed possessively on my hip, his thumb pressing into my side.
"Smile!" Olivia called.
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