Where Darkness Learned Breath by Rylor Dusk 58

58 Chapter 58: The Press Conference 

Aria’s POVO 

The conference room at Blackwood Tower buzzed with anticipation. Camera flashes exploded like fireworks as reporters jostled for position, their voices creating a wall of noise that pressed against my skull. 

Noah was home. Safe. Sleeping in Damien’s penthouse with the house keeper watching 

over him while we faced the media vultures one more time. 

The FBI had insisted on this follow–up press conference. “Control the narrative,” Agent Sarah had said. “Don’t let speculation fill the gaps.” 

So here I was again, gripping another podium with Damien beside me. Close enough that our shoulders almost touched. 

“Ms. Monroe, is it true your son was kidnapped?” A reporter in the front row shouted, as if our recent dramatic confession hadn’t already answered that question a hundred 

times over. 

I opened my mouth, forcing myself to relive it one more time. My throat tightened with the memory of Noah’s terrified face on that video call, even though he was safe now. Safe and home. 

Damien’s hand found mine under the podium. His fingers laced through mine, warm and steady. 

I should pull away. Should maintain the distance we’d barely re–established after everything that had happened. But I needed the anchor, needed something to keep me from drowning in this sea of vultures demanding we relive our trauma for their evening broadcasts. 

So I let him hold my hand. 

“Yes.” My voice came out stronger than I felt. As we disclosed recently during our initial statement, my three–year–old son was taken by Marcus Blackwood. He was recovered safely by the FBI during the press conference and is now home.” 

The timing had been perfect–terrifyingly, miraculously perfect. While we’d been destroying ourselves on live television, confessing our sins and surrendering everything, the FBI had been storming that warehouse. They’d found Noah scared but unharmed. 

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58 Chapter 58: The Press Conference 

“Were you involved with Damien Blackwood while he was engaged to your sister?” another reporter called out, clearly trying to dig for new angles on yesterday’s revelations. 

“No.” I say, “As I stated recently, I married Damien years ago in a business arrangement. My sister betrayed me at our wedding reception. I discovered I was pregnant before leaving, and I raised my son alone abroad for three years.” 

The cameras went crazy again. Even though this was old news–they wanted the sound bites, wanted me to perform my pain again for a new audience. 

Damien squeezed my hand tighter, then stepped forward. “Let me be clear about something we didn’t address.” 

His voice cut through the noise as the room fell silent. 

“Noah is my son.” He looked directly into the cameras, his jaw set with the same determination I’d when he’d surrendered his entire empire. “I was a fool who lost precious time with him because of my own blindness and cruelty. That changes now. I will be a part of his life from this moment forward, whether his mother forgives me or 

not.” 

My breath caught. The certainty in his voice, the raw honesty–it wasn’t practiced or 

calculated. It was real. 

“Mr. Blackwood, you gave up Blackwood Enterprises to your brother. Do you regret that decision?” A woman in the back called out. 

“Not for a second.” Damien’s hand tightened on mine again. “My son’s life is worth more than any company, any amount of money, any empire. I would give it all up a thousand times over to bring him home safely.” 

“What about the allegations of fraud at Blackwood Enterprises?” 

“Being investigated. I’ve already turned over all records to federal authorities.” His voice didn’t waver. “If there were illegal dealings under my watch, I’ll face the consequences. But my priority right now is my family’s safety.” 

Family. He’d called us his family. 

I glanced at him, found him already looking at me. Something in his eyes made my chest ache–hope and fear and desperation all mixed together. 

“Ms. Monroe, what’s your relationship status with Mr. Blackwood now?” 

I froze. Every eye in the room locked onto me waiting for my answer. 

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58 Chapter 58: The Press Conference 

child to manipulate her back into a beneficial marriage?” 

My hands clenched into fists. “Because if this were about business, I wouldn’t have given up my company. I wouldn’t have spent three years searching for her with no guarantee she’d ever speak to me again. I wouldn’t have just confessed my feelings on live television when I have no idea if she’ll ever forgive me.” 

I looked directly into the main camera. “Aria Monroe is the strongest person I know. She survived my cruelty, rebuilt herself, and came back more powerful than I ever was. I don’t deserve her. But I’m selfish enough to want her anyway, to fight for her anyway.” 

“What if she chooses Lucas Hayes? He’s been seen with her multiple times, and sources say they’re close.” 

The name hit like a punch to the gut. Lucas Hayes–the tech mogul who looked at Aria like she was the sun. Who’d never hurt her, never thrown her out pregnant, never made her doubt her worth. 

“Then I’ll have to live with that.” The words nearly choked me. “If Lucas makes her happy, if he treats her the way she deserves, then I’ll step back. But I won’t make it easy for him. I’ll fight for her until she tells me to stop.” 

“Even if it means losing?” 

“Especially then.” I gripped the podium. “Because she’s worth fighting for, even if I don’t win. She deserves to know that someone will never stop choosing her, never stop seeing her value. And if that’s all I can give her—the knowledge that I’ll always be here, always be fighting–then that’s what I’ll do.” 

A female reporter in the front row tilted her head. “That’s quite romantic, Mr. Blackwood. But romance doesn’t undo trauma. How do you plan to actually earn her 

trust back?” 

“One day at a time.” I met her eyes. “By being present for Noah. By respecting Aria’s boundaries. By proving through actions, not just words, that I’ve changed. And if it takes years, if it takes decades, that’s fine. I’m not going anywhere.” 

“What about Marcus? He’s still at large and has threatened your family.” 

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