LOGINFor a moment, he just stared at me then, slowly, his expression softened again, like he was slipping back into a version of himself that knew how to win me over.“You’re really choosing him,” he said quietly. “After everything I did for you?”I let out a short, humorless laugh. “You didn’t do anythi
Aria’s POVThe infirmary was too quiet, not peaceful—never peaceful—but had this kind of silence that felt forced, like the walls themselves were holding their breath. The smell of antiseptic was sharp enough to sting my nose the moment I stepped inside, and for a second I almost turned back.Almost
For a moment, he just stared at me then, slowly, his expression softened again, like he was slipping back into a version of himself that knew how to win me over.“You’re really choosing him,” he said quietly. “After everything I did for you?”I let out a short, humorless laugh. “You didn’t do anythi
Aria’s POVThe infirmary was too quiet, not peaceful—never peaceful—but had this kind of silence that felt forced, like the walls themselves were holding their breath. The smell of antiseptic was sharp enough to sting my nose the moment I stepped inside, and for a second I almost turned back.Almost
Aria's POVThe feeling wouldn't leave, it followed me through lunch, through the reports stacked on my desk, through every conversation I barely paid attention to and no matter how many times I reminded myself that Damon could handle himself, that he had survived far worse than a day spent with Kade
Aria’s POVSomething in me refused to settle and I know that it wasn’t exactly panic, but if it was, it wasn’t the mind that made you shake or lose breath. It was quieter than that, sharper too, like a thread pulled too tight under my skin, waiting to snap the moment I stopped paying attention. Dam
Aria’s POVThe first thing I noticed when I woke up was that Damon was gone. For a moment, I stayed curled beneath the blankets, staring at the empty space beside me as the haze of sleep slowly lifted. His scent still lingered on the pillow… pine and spice, familiar and comforting then reality hit.
Quieter.Her gaze dropped briefly to my mouth before returning to my eyes."Damon..."I leaned closer slowly, giving her every chance to stop me.She didn't.Our lips met softly.The kiss wasn't rushed. There was no desperation behind it. Just warmth and familiarity and the quiet comfort that seemed
Damon’s POVI should have been preparing for tomorrow, instead, I stood outside Aria’s apartment with my hand hovering over the door, staring at the chipped paint like it held answers I couldn't find anywhere else. The challenge would begin at dawn, and by this time tomorrow, everything could be dif
A silence settled briefly between us, heavy and deliberate. I could feel the expectation that I would break, that I would lower my eyes, that I would accept my place in whatever story they had already written for me.Instead, I shifted the files in my arms and straightened slightly. “If this is a wa







