Aria pov
"Will be picked apart and used against me. I know." I stood up, pacing. "But silence makes me look guilty. Like I was hiding Noah out of shame or manipulation. I need to tell my side before Damien tells his."
"What is your side?" Olivia asked carefully.
I stopped pacing. "The truth. That I was thrown out while pregnant. That I built a life for my son because I had no other choice. That I came back to this city for business, not for Damien. That Noah is my priority, and anyone who threatens him will have to go through me."
"That's... actually pretty good." Olivia stood up too. "But you need to be careful. Don't attack Damien directly. Don't give them anything that makes you look vindictive or unstable."
"I am vindictive," I muttered.
"I know. But they don't need to." She squeezed my arm. "Let me call my PR friend. She handles crisis communications for celebrities. If anyone can help you navigate this"
