Ariana's POV
As I stepped through the front door, a wave of tension washed over me.
Grandma Carina was waiting in the living room, her expression a mix of relief and concern.
"Where is he?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"In the study," she replied softly, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.
With a deep breath, I made my way to the study, my heart pounding with each step.
Pushing open the door, I found Dustin sitting behind the desk, his expression unreadable.
He looked up as I entered, his eyes meeting mine for the first time since his sudden departure.
There was a heaviness in the air, a tension that hung between us like a thick fog.
"Why did you disappear like that, without any prior notice?" I asked softly, my voice trembling.
He returned his gaze to his
