It rang several times before Clara picked up. I asked anxiously, “Clara, how long ago did Aria leave the house?”
There was a brief pause before she answered carefully, “Young Master, Miss Aria has been at home this whole time. She hasn’t gone out.”
My grip on the phone tightened sharply.
She didn’t leave the house?
She… didn’t bring me lunch?
Wasn’t she always the one who loved bringing me meals before?
Why not now?
A bitter feeling crept up inside me as realization dawned—everything I’d been expecting was nothing more than my own wishful thinking.
Why did I assume Aria would forgive me so easily?
Why did I think she’d go back to being the thoughtful girl who brought me food?
There was a long silence on the other end before Clara asked cautiously, “Young master, were you looking
