The drive home was strangely quiet.
Not tense or too awkward. Just quiet in a way that felt too heavy to touch. Ariana sat with her head resting lightly on the window, watching the city slip by in blurred streaks of light. Her entire body throbbed with exhaustion, but her mind refused to slow down. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw ribbons, lights, ladders, Maya’s smug face as she walked away, smirking like a witch, and Vincent storming into the hall like he was going to rip her heart out of her chest.
A faint smile appeared on her lips as she realized that the event would hold. She had successfully handled the situation. It gave her a great sense of fulfillment.
Even better, Vincent was now a lot calmer.
Speaking of Vincent, he didn’t speak again until they pulled into the mansi
