Ariana’s POV
The moment we got back into the car, I knew something had changed.
The air felt heavier.
Thicker.
Like a storm waiting to break.
I sat quietly, my hands resting on my lap, fingers slightly stained despite how many times I had tried to clean them. My heart hadn’t calmed since the restaurant.
It was still racing.
Still panicking.
Still waiting.
Beside me, Damien said nothing.
But somehow…
That silence was louder than anything.
I could feel it.
His thoughts.
His suspicion.
His attention.
Locked on me.
The car moved smoothly through the quiet streets, the city lights flickering past the window. Everything outside felt normal.
Inside?
Nothing was.
We arrived at the mansion.
The doors opened.
I stepped out first this time, needing space—air—anything to calm the
