Chapter 19
That sentence made Ariana’s stomach twist.
“I can take care of myself, you know that,” Ariana said softly.
But Damien didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he stared at her quietly like he wanted to memorize every expression on her face. Then finally he spoke. “You’re getting late.”
Ariana looked at him one more time before entering the taxi. She gave him a small wave through the window, and Damien nodded slightly. The taxi slowly drove away. Damien remained standing there long after the car disappeared from sight. Only then did he finally leave.
The ride home felt strangely peaceful. Ariana rested her forehead against the taxi window while replaying every moment from tonight inside her head. The way Damien looked at her. The softness in his voice. The honesty in his
