Where Darkness Learned Breath by Rylor Dusk 123

123 Chapter 123: Failed Plan 

Vivan pov 

I went back to my room and pulled out my secret burner phone–the one the facility didn’t know about and started making calls. If Sophia talked, I needed an alibi. I needed proof I was too unstable, too medicated, too out of it to have planned anything. 

And I needed to warn Marcus. Because if this setup failed, it meant Aria was smarter than we thought, way more dangerous. 

Which meant we needed to change tactics entirely. My brother–in–law answered on the third ring. “Vivian, to what do I owe the displeasure?” 

“The hotel setup failed,” I said bluntly. “Aria saw through it. Sophia’s probably getting arrested as we speak.” 

Silence. Then: “Interesting.” 

“Interesting? That’s all you have to say?” 

“It means Aria’s not the broken little girl anymore,” Marcus said thoughtfully. “It means she’s learned to think like us, to anticipate threats.” 

“So what do we do?” 

“We stop playing games,” he said. “Stop trying to manipulate them emotionally because it’s not working. We need to hit where they can’t defend–their son.” 

My blood chilled. “Noah? You want to go after Noah again?” 

“Not kidnap him.” Marcus’s voice was cold. “That was too direct. No–we make them choose. Business or family, power or love. We force them to sacrifice one to save the other.” 

“How?” 

“Leave that to me.” He hung up. 

I sat in my sterile room, staring at the walls, and smiled slowly. Sophia had failed, the hotel setup had failed. But Marcus? Marcus never failed. 

And when he destroyed Aria’s perfect little world, I would be there to watch her crumble. Just like she’d watched me crumble. 

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123 Chapter 123: Failed Plan 

Aria’s POV 

The hospital was chaotic–doctors, nurses, toxicology tests, police officers asking questions. I sat in a plastic chair outside Damien’s room, still wearing the clothes I’d thrown on that morning, and felt strangely calm. 

Officer Reyes, a kind–faced woman in her forties, sat across from me. “Walk me through what happened again, Ms. Monroe.” 

“I received an anonymous text.” I pulled out my phone, showing her. “Telling me my fiancé was at the Riverside Hotel with another woman. When I arrived, I found him unconscious and Sophia Clarke staging compromising photos.” 

“And you immediately called 911 instead of assuming infidelity?” She made notes. “Damien wasn’t moving, he wasn’t responsive. That’s not drunk or willing–that’s drugged.” I kept my voice steady. “I’ve seen him drunk. I’ve seen him angry, tired, stressed. This was different. Medical emergencies are different.” 

“You and Mr. Blackwood have a complicated history,” Officer Reyes said carefully. “Including allegations that he was unfaithful during your previous relationship.” 

“Yes.” I met her eyes. “Which is exactly why this was clearly a setup. Someone knew that history and tried to use it against us. Against me specifically.” 

“Ms. Clarke is claiming Mr. Blackwood came willingly. That they had drinks together and things progressed naturally.” 

“Then the toxicology report will prove she’s lying.” I crossed my arms. “And hotel security footage will show her luring him there under false pretenses.” 

Officer Reyes studied me for a long moment. “You’re very calm for someone who just found her fiancé in bed with another woman.” 

“I’m furious,” I corrected. “But at her, not him. Because I know the difference between Damien making a choice and Damien being drugged unconscious. And I’m not letting someone destroy what we’ve rebuilt based on a pathetic frame job.” 

“That’s quite a bit of trust for a man who hurt you before.” 

“People change.” My voice was firm. “And I’ve seen him change. I’ve watched him prove himself day after day for months now. So yes, I trust him. And I’m pressing charges against Sophia Clarke for assault, drugging, and attempted blackmail.” 

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123 Chapter 123: Failed Plan 

“The photos were sent to several media outlets,” Officer Reyes warned. “They’ll be public soon.” 

“Let them be public.” I stood. “Because when the truth comes out–when everyone knows Damien was drugged and assaulted–Sophia will be the one destroyed, not us.” 

A doctor emerged from Damien’s room. “Ms. Monroe? He’s waking up. You can see him 

now.” 

My heart leaped. “Is he okay?” 

“Rohypnol in his system, moderate dose. He’ll be disoriented and nauseous for a while, but he’ll make a full recovery.” The doctor’s expression was sympathetic. “He’s very lucky you found him when you did.” 

“Can I” I gestured at the door. 

“Go ahead.” 

I pushed into the room. Damien was propped up in bed, looking pale and confused. When he saw me, panic flooded his face. 

“Aria.” His voice was rough. “I swear I didn’t–I don’t remember–she said there was a contract emergency and then” He stopped, eyes wild. “The hotel, was I at a hotel? With Sophia?” 

“Yes.” I moved to his bedside. 

“Did I did we-” His voice cracked. “I don’t remember anything after having a drink with her. Oh God, Aria, please tell me I didn’t” 

“You didn’t.” I caught his hand. “Damien, you were drugged. Sophia drugged you and staged photos to make it look like you cheated.” 

He stared at me, processing. “Drugged?” 

“Rohypnol. You’ve been unconscious for over an hour.” I squeezed his hand. “But you’re safe now and I’m pressing charges.” 

“You” He looked at our joined hands, then at my face. “You believe me? Just like that?” 

“Just like that.” I sat on the edge of his bed. “Because I know you now, Damien. I know you wouldn’t do this. Not after everything we’ve been through.” 

“But the photos” 

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123 Chapter 123: Failed Plan 

“Are evidence of assault, not infidelity.” My voice was firm. “Everyone will know the truth soon enough.” 

“Aria.” His voice broke. “I’m so sorry, I should have been more careful, should have seen 

it coming” 

“Stop.” I touched his face gently. “This isn’t your fault. Sophia drugged you. Vivian probably helped plan it, they wanted to destroy us, and they failed. That’s all that 

matters.” 

“Why?” He looked at me with wandering eyes. “Why do you believe me so easily? Last 

time” 

“Last time I didn’t know you,” I said softly. “Last time, there was no trust between us. No foundation but now?” I smiled slightly. “Now I’ve seen who you really are. And that man would never betray his family, at least not willingly.” 

A tear slid down his cheek. “I don’t deserve you.” 

“Probably not.” I wiped the tears away. “But you’re stuck with me anyway.” 

He laughed wetly, then winced. “Ow. Laughing hurts.” 

“That’s the drugs.” I stood. “Rest. I need to finish talking to the police, and then I’m calling Noah to let him know you’re okay.” 

“Noah.” Damien’s face crumpled. “If he saw those photos-” 

“He didn’t. And he won’t.” My voice was cold. “I’m handling this. All of it, you just focus on getting better.” 

“Aria?” He caught my hand as I turned to leave. 

“Yes?” 

“Thank you.” His voice was thick with emotion. “For believing me. For staying. For” His voice broke. “For everything.” 

“Always.” I squeezed his hand. “That’s what partners do, right? We believe each other. We stand together, no matter what.” 

“No matter what,” he echoed, holding my hand like a lifeline. 

And as I stood there, looking at this man who’d hurt me so badly years ago but who I’d chosen to trust again, I realized something profound: 

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123 Chapter 123: Failed Plan 

This–right here, right now–this was what real love looked like. 

Not a fairy tale or fantasy. But choosing someone even when it’s hard. Trusting someone even when you’re scared. Standing by someone even when the world tells 

you to run. 

And for the first time in years, I wasn’t scared. I was certain. 

******** 

The police station was cold and sterile, all fluorescent lights and uncomfortable chairs. 

I sat across from Officer Reyes again, this time with my lawyer beside me and a recorder between us. 

“Let’s go over the timeline one more time,” Officer Reyes said. “You received the first anonymous text at what time?” 

“2:47 PM.” I pulled up my phone. “Here, with a screenshot of the message and the photo of Damien’s car.” 

My lawyer, Margaret leaned forward. “Which my client immediately recognized as suspicious given the location.” 

“We’re aware of the history,” Officer Reyes said. “Ms. Clarke’s lawyer is claiming this was consensual, that Mr. Blackwood agreed to meet her.” 

“Then explain the security footage.” Margaret slid over a tablet showing hotel camera feeds. “This shows Ms. Clarke arriving at 2:15 PM. Mr. Blackwood arrives at 2:32 PM, clearly believing he’s there for business–he’s carrying his briefcase, checking his phone for what appears to be meeting details.” 

The footage continued. Damien enters the hotel, heading toward the conference room area, then being redirected by Sophia toward the elevator. His body language confused, checking his phone again. 

“Now watch this.” Margaret fast–forwarded to Sophia and Damien entering the room. “He sits in the desk chair–standard for a business meeting as she hands him a drink. 

he’s Within four minutes, his posture changes. He’s disoriented. By minute seven, unconscious.” 

Officer Reyes studied the footage carefully. “That’s fast for alcohol alone.” “Because it wasn’t alcohol alone.” Margaret produced the toxicology report. “Rohypnol, 2 milligrams. More than enough to incapacitate an adult male of Mr. Blackwood’s size. 

123 Chapter 123: Failed Plan 

And look here” She pointed at more footage. “After he’s unconscious, Ms. Clarke 

partially undresses him, poses him on the bed, changes into lingerie, and begins taking photos, this is clearly staged.” 

“Ms. Clarke claims they had consensual relations before he lost consciousness.” 

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