_Aria’s POV_
The silence did not last.
It broke like glass.
My adoptive mother was the first to speak again. Her face was red with anger and embarrassment.
“So now you raise your voice at us?” she snapped. “After everything we have done for you?”
I laughed but it sounded broken.
“Everything?” I asked. “You mean reminding me that I was unwanted?”
My adoptive father stepped forward.
“Aria, please,” he said. “This is not how we wanted things to turn out.”
Ryan’s mother scoffed loudly.
“Of course not,” she said. “Nothing ever turns out well when a cursed child is involved.”
My head snapped toward her.
“I am not cursed,” I said sharply.
“Oh?” she replied. “Then why is Lucien hunting you? Why are we all hiding like scared animals?”
Ryan turned on her.
“That’s enough,” he said. “Yo
