THIRD PERSON POV (NARRATOR'S POV)
The moment the door clicked shut behind Kane and Aria, silence settled over the penthouse like a heavy blanket. Rhea lingered in the living room, her fingers absentmindedly brushing the petals of the flowers Aria had left on the console. A faint tired smile tugged at her lips.
She turned, her slippers slapping loud against the marble as she made for the stairs and halfway up, the smile faltered. A sharp tug clutched her chest. She froze, one hand flying to her breastbone as though she could physically hold her heart in place.
Her breathing came shallow, quick, too quick.
"Not now..please, not now." She muttered to herself, a silent prayer.
The staircase blurred beneath her as black dots swam across her vision. She gripped the banister so tightly her k
