Chapter 6

Aria's POV

The drive back to the mansion was unusually quiet. I rested my head lightly against the car window, watching the city lights blur into long streaks of gold and white. My mind refused to leave the events of the evening behind. Dante's mother had made it painfully clear that she didn't approve of me, and the rest of the family had watched me as though I didn't belong there. Yet through it all, Dante never left my side. Every time someone questioned me or made me uncomfortable, he answered before I had the chance to defend myself. I still couldn't understand why he was doing all this for me. We had only known each other for two days, yet he treated me as though protecting me was the most natural thing in the world.

After several minutes of silence, Dante finally spoke. "You handled yourself well tonight." I turned to look at him. "I was terrified." A faint smile appeared on his lips. "You didn't show it." I let out a quiet laugh. "My grandmother always told me that if I couldn't change a difficult situation, I should face it with my head held high." Dante remained silent for a moment before nodding. "She raised you to be strong." I smiled sadly. "She was the only person who never gave up on me." His expression softened slightly, but he didn't ask any more questions. Somehow, I appreciated that. He never forced me to talk before I was ready.

The car rolled through the tall iron gates of the mansion and came to a smooth stop in front of the entrance. One of the guards opened the door while Dante stepped out first. Before I could climb out, he quietly offered me his hand. I looked at it for a second before placing mine in his. His grip was warm and steady, making me feel strangely safe. As soon as we stepped inside, Martha greeted us with her usual kind smile. "Welcome back, Mr. Moretti... Miss Aria." She turned toward me. "We've moved all your belongings into the guest room. I hope everything is arranged to your liking." I smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Martha." She wished us both a good night before quietly leaving us alone in the hallway.

"I should let you rest," Dante said. "Tomorrow will be busy." I nodded. "Good night." He looked at me for a brief moment before replying, "Good night, Aria." It was the first time he had spoken my name so naturally. For reasons I couldn't explain, hearing it from him made my heart skip ever so slightly. I quickly looked away before walking toward the guest room.

The room felt warmer than it had the night before. My small suitcase sat neatly beside the bed, and the few belongings I owned had already been arranged carefully by the servants. I slowly unpacked everything myself, wanting at least one thing in this unfamiliar place to feel personal. There were only a few dresses, several books my grandmother had given me, and a small wooden jewelry box she had treasured for years. Tucked beneath my clothes was an old photograph. I smiled as soon as I saw it. It was a picture of my grandmother and me standing outside our little house. I couldn't have been more than ten years old. I gently brushed away the dust from the corner of the photograph before placing it on the bedside table.

"I hope you're watching over me, Grandma," I whispered softly.

Across the hallway, Dante entered his private study. He closed the door behind him before walking to a large wooden desk. Reaching into his pocket, he removed a small silver key and unlocked the top drawer. Inside rested a worn brown envelope that looked as though it had been opened many times before. He carefully pulled out a photograph and stared at it in silence.

It was the same little girl.

The same bright smile.

The same elderly woman standing proudly beside her.

Aria.

His usually unreadable expression softened in a way no one else had ever seen.

"So... I finally found you," he murmured quietly.

Just then, three gentle knocks broke the silence.

Without hesitation, Dante slipped the photograph back into the envelope, locked the drawer, and returned the key to his pocket.

"Come in," he said calmly.

The door opened slowly.

Aria stood there, looking slightly embarrassed.

"I'm sorry to disturb you," she said softly. "I couldn't sleep... and I was wondering if we could talk for a little while."

Dante looked at her for a long moment before stepping aside.

"Come in."

Completely unaware that the answers she had been searching for had been hidden away only moments earlier, Aria walked into the room, while the secret connecting their lives remained locked inside the desk.