The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Aria stirred slowly, her body still sore, but her mind even more so. For a moment, she forgot where she was, until she felt the warmth of another presence beside her.
Her eyes fluttered open, and she saw Damian lying next to her, still asleep.
He looked… peaceful. Not like the man who had raged at her the night before. Not like the man who had fed her and apologized. Just… a man. Breathing evenly. Vulnerable in sleep.
Aria quietly slid out of bed, careful not to wake him. Her movements were slow, deliberate, like walking through a field of glass. She stepped into the bathroom, locked the door, and turned on the tap, splashing cold water on her face.
She stared at her reflection, the bruises on her neck
