Aria's POV
"Thank you for tonight, but it's getting late," I said quietly, lifting Lana into my arms and shifting my body so I stood directly between her and Nathan.
I could feel his gaze like a physical weight on my back.
I didn't let myself look at him again.
My spine stayed stiff, unbending, but the arm wrapped around my daughter trembled. I hoped he didn't notice.
I hadn't refused his help.
Part of it was panic, I had been drowning, terrified for Lana.
But the other part… the part I hated admitting even to myself… was that he is her father.
Even if he didn't know.
Even if he could never know.
Even if I intended to guard that truth with my life.
Still, for one fleeting moment, I had selfishly wanted Lana to feel her father's presence. Just once.
But the second their eyes me
