- Aria
Morning in this house always feels like walking across thin ice. One wrong step and someone plunges into freezing water. Usually me.
But after the storm last night? After Luca actually took my side against his mother?
Yeah… today felt different.
I found him in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, half-buttoned shirt like he was in a rush, sipping coffee while scrolling something on his phone.
That was classic Luca: smooth on the outside, a storm raging within.
I cleared my throat.
“Hey,” I said awkwardly. “About last night… thanks. For stepping in.”
He didn’t even look up.
“Don’t thank me.”
I frowned. “Okay, well—”
“Aria,” he snapped quietly, “I don’t need appreciation. I need you to stop provoking my mother.”
I blinked. “Provoking? She followed me h
