The room was quiet when Adrian stepped in.
He closed the door behind him without making a sound, his expression calm, controlled—as if nothing unusual had happened downstairs.
But his eyes were sharper now.
More focused.
Because he had noticed.
Of course he had.
Aria lay on the bed, her back to the door, the covers pulled up to her shoulders.
Her eyes were closed.
But she wasn’t asleep.
Not even close.
Her breathing was too steady.
Too controlled.
She was awake.
And upset.
Adrian stood there for a moment, watching her.
Then—
A faint smirk touched his lips.
He knew exactly why.
He walked toward the bed slowly.
Unhurried.
Like he had all the time in the world.
When he reached the edge, he didn’t say anything.
He just got onto the bed behind her.
Close.
Too close.
Ari
