Aria stood frozen, pulse roaring in her ears, her mind stuck between disbelief and a sharp, aching confusion she couldn’t immediately name. Damian’s voice cut through the noise...low, startled, urgent.
For a moment, Aria wasn't even sure where she was.
“Aria...”
Damian calling out to her snapped her back to reality.
But just as he was about to take another step towards her, before he could have a chance to explained himself, Mr Richard stepped forward blocking him.
He felt the tension between them. They all did.
He lifted a hand as though he was stopping traffic, his body angling slightly in front of Aria...not blocking her completely, but enough to halt Damian in his steps. Whether it was protection or a some other ulterior motive, she wasn’t sure.
“I believe everyone her ca
