ARIANAThe feeling wasn’t the frantic, desperate pulse I’d felt with Maxwell; this was steadier, deeper, and somehow more dangerous because it felt safe.Then his hands slowed and stopped. I feel his breath against the back of my neck, a faint heat that made my skin prickle."Aria."I turn slightly to look at him over my shoulder. His eyes drop briefly to my mouth, and mine follow the same involuntary pull.Outside, the twins keep laughing while sunlight spills through the open doors behind us. His fingers brush lightly against my jaw, turning my face toward him fully now."Aria," he murmurs again.I move first, pressing my lips to his. Maybe because I'm tired or maybe because he looks at me like I'm something precious instead of something convenient. Or maybe because somewhere along the line, loving him stops feeling terrifying.His hand slides into my hair, fingers tangling softly as he kisses me back slowly, his tongue tracing my lips before slipping inside, deeply, like he isn't

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ARIANAHer words settle between us. Simple, plain, but real."I blamed you for things that were never your fault. I judged you before I ever gave myself the chance to know you properly."I fold my arms as she lets out a slow breath."When Maxwell married you, I convinced myself you were temporary. Just another arrangement Victor forced onto the family.""And that made it acceptable?""No." She shakes her head immediately. "No, it didn't."The sincerity in her voice irritates me more than defensiveness would have. Because anger is easier."I watched my son disrespect you," she continues quietly. "And instead of stopping him, I excused him. I minimized what he was doing because I kept thinking..."She stops."Thinking what?""That eventually he'd come to his senses and everything would sort itself out."A bitter laugh escapes me. "Interesting definition of sorting itself out."Pain flashes across her face. She accepts the hit. "I deserve that.""Yes. You do."Molly's eyes drift toward t

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