*Aria’s POV*The quiet didn’t break the next day.It rearranged itself.Staff moved differently. Straighter. Faster. More careful with their voices.The east wing came alive before noon. Fresh flowers. New linens. Security detail reassigned. I watched it all from the balcony outside Adrian’s playroom, my hands resting on the cold iron railing.No one told me she had arrived.I knew.The air shifted.That was how power entered a space – not loudly, but decisively.Adrian babbled behind me, stacking wooden blocks with complete disregard for political alliances and broken hearts. I forced myself to turn away from the balcony and kneel beside him.“Careful,” I murmured as his tower leaned.He grinned at me.It fell anyway, and he started laughing, to which I smiled.If I focused on him, I didn’t have to feel the slow tightening in my chest.“Mommy are we going to see Mr. Rino again? I miss the goats.” He pouted, making my heart melt.A soft knock sounded at the open doorway.Not hesitant.
Last Updated : 2026-02-20 Read more