ARIA'S POV
The room was heavy with silence after Kieran finished his story. The air felt thick, like it was holding onto the weight of his words.
I just sat there, staring at him, my thoughts racing. The m******e, the betrayal, the loss of his family—how had he survived all of it? The Kieran sitting before me now, with his calm demeanor and sharp wit, seemed so far removed from the boy who had run for his life.
I couldn’t imagine the pain, the guilt, or the fear he must have carried with him all these years. My heart ached for him, and I couldn’t stop myself from whispering, “I’m so sorry, Kieran.”
He looked up at me then, his eyes soft but guarded. “Don’t be,” he said simply. “I don’t need pity.”
“It’s not pity,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “It’s… it’s just that I can’t believ
