Aria's breath caught in her throat. Marco's hand lingered on her shoulder, his jacket warm against her cold skin. His nearness was intoxicating, and for a brief second, it felt like time had stopped.
"Marco…" she whispered, her voice trembling as her eyes searched his face for answers she didn’t even know she wanted.
His gaze was soft, intense, and filled with something dangerously close to regret. Or was it longing?
"You don’t have to say anything," he murmured, his fingers lightly brushing her arm. "I just... I miss you, Aria. I miss everything about you."
Aria’s chest tightened. “Marco, don’t—”
“I know I messed up,” he interrupted gently. “But I need you to believe me when I say that night… the kiss at the engagement… it wasn’t what you think. I was set up. I would never do that to
