LOGINDamian PovI pushed the bedroom door open. Even after all these years, my hand found the handle without looking, and my feet knew the way here. Some things stayed in the body, whether I wanted them to or not.Ariana walked in first, and I followed. The moment the door closed behind us, she stopped. I stood with my hands in my pockets and waited, my face unreadable. I didn't hurry people. They hurried themselves.Her eyes moved around the room, settling first on the bed, then on the couch by the window. Her brow drew together slightly. Her lips pressed into a line, and her gaze moved between the two as though she were weighing a negotiation she didn't want to lose."This is insane," she murmured.Then, almost immediately, she pointed at the couch. "I'll take the couch.""You don't have to," I said, my voice low and even."I want to."I lifted one hand, dismissive, without a flicker of expression. "Whatever you want."Ariana didn't answer. She walked straight to the wardrobe where her l
Ariana PovThe soft scrape of chairs being pulled back drew me out of my thoughts.Dinner was over. The maids were already clearing the table, stacking plates and gathering dishes, and Grandpa had risen from his seat. I was still beside Damian, still trying to make sense of what had happened earlier.It could have meant nothing at all. Maybe he had simply remembered something he needed to discuss with his mother, and the timing was nothing more than coincidence.I pressed my lips together. Then why can't I stop thinking about it?Before I could dwell on the question, Grandpa stepped forward, drawing everyone's attention."I'm glad we could all spend this evening together," he said, looking around at the family gathered in the room. "It isn't often that we get everyone in one place, and I'm grateful that you all made the time to come." His expression softened as his gaze moved from one face to the next. "It's getting late now, and everyone needs their rest. Thank you all for coming. Go
Ariana Pov As I stared at my reflection in the restroom mirror, Adrian's words lingered in my mind. My fingers curled into my palms as I pressed my lips together. I hated that his threat had gotten to me. After everything he had done to me, did he really think he could intimidate me? I turned on the tap and splashed some water onto my face. I reached for a paper towel and gently dabbed my cheeks dry before brushing my hair back. Taking a deep breath, I forced Adrian's words aside. I wasn't going to let him ruin the rest of my evening. By the time I stepped out of the restroom, I had composed myself. I shut the door behind me and smoothed down my dress as I walked back to the dining room, a smile on my face as though nothing had happened a few minutes ago. Adrian was already seated beside Tessa, his posture relaxed, his face carefully calm. I pulled back my chair and sat down. "Ariana?" Victoria's brow drew together with concern. "What happened? We heard a noise from that d
Ariana Pov Sitting across from him, I felt the irritation settle deeper in my chest. I was tired of seeing his face, tired of sharing a table with him. Whatever I had once felt for him was finally gone. But that didn't mean I had to sit there and pretend my stomach could tolerate him. I lowered my eyes to my plate. My appetite had vanished completely. I just wanted to get away from the table for a few minutes. A phone rang, breaking through the quiet. Adrian pulled it from his pocket and glanced at the screen. "Excuse me," he said. "I need to take this." He turned to Tessa, his voice gentle. "I'll be right back." "Okay." Tessa smiled up at him. But he didn't leave right away. His eyes lifted from her and slid across the table to me. They stayed there, unhurried, with a faint curve at the corner of his mouth. Only then did he straighten and walk away. My jaw tightened. I knew exactly what that look was. He had held it long enough for me to see it, and he had done it while speak
My fingers went numb as I clutched the napkin beside my plate."Standing beside him was Tessa.The sight of the two of them made my heart slam painfully against my ribs. She stood so close to him, a warm smile on her face, and his hand was wrapped around her waist. She leaned slightly into him, perfectly at ease, as though that was exactly where she belonged. Adrian wore an easy smile, as if there was nothing unusual about having her at his side."Miss this?" Adrian said, his voice dripping with a mocking offense. One eyebrow shot up, and he spread his hands wide. "A family dinner that's been going on since before I even saw daylight? Grandpa, I'm hurt. I was practically born holding a fork." He sniffed the air dramatically. "And with oxtail on the table? You've insulted me twice."The whole table burst into laughter. Grandpa shook his head, Victoria covered her mouth to hide her smile, and the amusement rippled around the room as though he had delivered the funniest joke imaginable.
Ariana Pov She reached the bottom of the stairs and stopped. She didn't fidget or hurry. Her chin stayed level, her gaze steady, and for a moment the whole room seemed to wait on her. Then she crossed the floor toward him, heels clicking once, twice, slow and certain, as though she belonged to this house more than I ever could. She stopped a few feet away. Damian stared at her. His brow drew together, his eyes narrowing as he searched her face for a memory just out of reach. Then his brow eased, and his lips parted. "Vanessa." The name left him too quickly, as though it had been waiting all along. "Yes." She laughed softly. "It's me." His arm slipped from under my hand. He stepped forward, and she met him halfway. They embraced, firm and unhurried, the way two people do when they have missed each other for a long time. I had never seen him hold anyone like that. "You're back," he said, low. "I'm back." He drew away just enough to look at her, and the corner of his







