Aria's POVThe sight of Chad standing by my father's bedside made me freeze.He looked thinner, but those gentle eyes hadn't changed.For a moment, it almost felt like nothing had happened—that we were back to where we'd started."Aria…" He stepped toward me, voice careful, almost hesitant. "I just got back from my assignment. Are you… okay?"So he knew. About that night."I'm fine." I forced a polite smile, my fingers unconsciously twisting the strap of my purse.The smile was cordial—but distant enough to draw a line.Chad didn't press.I turned to my father. "Dr. Harlan said you're good to be discharged. I came to get the paperwork done.""Finally! I can't wait to go home." Dad's voice was full of excitement.Once the discharge papers were signed and everything was arranged, I returned to help Dad pack.Chad stayed to lend a hand, and before I could object, he came home with us.At the house, I helped Dad get settled in, then handed Chad a pair of slippers before ducking into the k
Aria's POVThe rain began to fall just as the taxi pulled up in front of the villa.I stood beneath the porch, water dripping from the ends of my soaked hair. I didn't bother to wipe it away.The house was pitch black inside. Silent. So quiet I could hear the thud of my own heartbeat.Kane still wasn't home.I dragged myself upstairs, peeled off my damp coat, and collapsed onto the bed. The sheets still held the faint trace of his cologne—crisp, masculine, familiar.I buried my face into the pillow, inhaling deeply, as if breathing him in could somehow trick me into believing he was still here.In the darkness, my phone lit up. My contacts list hovered on the "K" section. My thumb paused over his name, trembling.I didn't press it."God, what am I doing…" I muttered, tossing the phone aside with a bitter laugh. He left without a word, and yet, I'm always the one who breaks first.This night, I couldn't sleep. Again.In the haze between waking and dreaming, I thought I heard the front
Aria's POVI followed behind Flora, clutching the cardboard box in my arms as we walked through the long hallway.I could feel the eyes on me from every direction—some were whispering, others didn't even bother hiding their stares."This is Aria Vale. She'll be working in your department this month." Flora introduced me with a practiced tone before quickly turning on her heel and walking away.The department supervisor who had been smiling stiffly dropped the act the moment she left.Without saying a word, he walked off, leaving me standing there like a misplaced object.The edge of the box dug painfully into my arms. The entire floor seemed to freeze.Everyone kept their heads down, immersed in their work, unwilling to spare me even a glance.The silence was suffocating. I took a deep breath, gathered what was left of my courage, and knocked on the supervisor's office door."Excuse me… Could you tell me where my desk is?"He didn't even look up. His fingers clattered across the keybo
Aria's POVAfter breakfast, I headed out. Standing at the doorway, my eyes instinctively drifted toward the garage.That black car of his was always parked there at this hour.Now the empty driveway felt like it was mocking me.With no other choice, I called for a ride to the office.As soon as the elevator doors opened on the top floor, Flora rushed toward me.She touched my shoulder lightly and lowered her voice. "Mr. Wolfe and Mr. Baron have left the country. They'll be gone for at least a month."My heart sank.A business trip? Just like that?Or was he simply avoiding me?Flora gave me a pointed look. "Ms. Jepson is in charge while he's away… and she wants to see you. Immediately."I forced a small, grateful smile. "Thanks."Once inside my office, I closed the door behind me, leaning back against the cold surface.I could still feel last night—his silence, his steady breathing, his warmth…And now he was just gone, leaving me alone to face Gabriella?Kane… is this your choice?To
Aria's POVThe moment I opened the front door, I saw them—those familiar black leather shoes. My heart skipped a beat.He was home.The entire villa was deathly quiet, not even a single servant in sight.The only sound came from the steady tick of the grandfather clock echoing through the empty hall.I tiptoed forward and accidentally kicked something hard.Looking down, I saw shattered glass—what was left of a broken liquor bottle.Kane had been drinking.And clearly, he'd been angry.I stood in the living room, my legs suddenly heavy as lead.A flood of memories surged back—the sting of the whip, the cold detachment in his eyes, the wall lined with his twisted collection of "toys."I instinctively stepped back, only to bump into the edge of the coffee table behind me.No. I couldn't run. There was no escape—not without consequences far worse.Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to head to the bedroom.Under the dim glow of the bedside lamp, Kane lay on his side with his back to th
Aria's POVI rushed Davis to the hospital, my mind a complete mess. I could barely recall how we even made it to the emergency room."You're fine, sir," the doctor said after the exam, his tone casual. "The bleeding was from a knocked-out tooth. It looks worse than it is. Just rest for a few days."Only then did I finally breathe.Still, I made sure Davis underwent a full check-up, just to be safe.When we finally walked out of the hospital, the sky had already turned completely dark."Davis..." I whispered, guilt tightening my throat. "Thank you. And… I'm sorry."He shook his head, lips twitching into a strained smile that tugged at the swelling on his face."Come on, don't be like that," he said hoarsely. "Protecting a lady—it's what a gentleman does."There were so many things I wanted to say, but none of them felt enough. All I could manage was a quiet, "Let me take you home.""What? No way." He gave a soft chuckle and, to my surprise, reached out and ruffled my hair.The gesture