Ariana’s POV
Nothing felt the same anymore.
Not the mansion.
Not the silence.
Not even… him.
⸻
After last night—
After everything I said—
I expected anger.
Rejection.
Distance.
⸻
Instead?
I got control.
But a different kind.
⸻
“You’ll take your medication on time.”
His voice was calm that morning.
Too calm.
⸻
“I will,” I replied.
⸻
“You’ll eat properly.”
⸻
“…Okay.”
⸻
“You won’t attend any event without me.”
⸻
I hesitated slightly.
Then nodded.
⸻
“Yes.”
⸻
It felt strange.
This wasn’t the cold, detached Damien from before.
⸻
This was—
Intentional.
⸻
Calculated.
⸻
Like he was adjusting the situation…
Not rejecting it.
⸻
“Good,” he said simply.
⸻
That was it.
Conversation over.
⸻
But the weight of it?
Stayed.
⸻
Because now—
He knew.
Everyth
