Aria’s POV
Hating Damon was simpler when he was absent.
When the halls were empty and his scent had disappeared, I almost convinced myself that my feelings were nothing more...simply guilt, confusion, or some cruel twist of fate. Yet, each time I saw him, when those sharp grey eyes met mine across the room, that illusion shattered.
The bond felt like a quiet ache inside, humming beneath my skin like a spark on the verge of igniting. I hated it because it made me feel so exposed. I told myself I didn’t want him...even after he responded coldly when I shared the news about my brother. But deep down, my heart couldn’t accept that. My body refused to follow that reasoning either.
Over time, the silence between us grew. He spoke only rarely and kept his distance, yet somehow I always felt c
