"Because I want to see you succeed, Aria," Vittoria answered smoothly. "But I do have one condition."
Aria's heart plummeted straight into the soles of her heels.
She instinctively braced herself. Her mind instantly supplied the classic, toxic daytime-soap-opera dialogue. She fully expected the Italian millionaire to narrow her dark eyes and demand the ultimate sacrifice.
"What is it?" Aria asked, her voice tight. 'Do I have to divorce him? Do I have to leave New York and never speak to Damien again?' she questioned in her thoughts.
"My condition is simple," Vittoria stated. "You pay me back with your own money. Not a single cent of this two-million-dollar loan can come from Damien's bank accounts. You wire me the funds from the sweat of your own brow. Do we have a deal?"
Aria's jaw dropped.
She stared at her for a moment. 'That's it?!'
"Deal," Aria breathed, her voice trembling with gratitude. "Absolutely, one hundred percent deal."
"Excellent," Vittoria smiled.
