The car ride passed in fragments as streetlights streaking past, the low hum of the engine, Leon’s steady presence anchoring me even as my thoughts spun.
When we arrived home, he didn’t wake me fully.He just carried me inside.
The house was quiet,the kind of quiet that made my footsteps echo even when I wasn’t walking.
Leon nudged the door closed behind us and carefully lowered me onto the couch.
“There,” he said. “Sit.”
I frowned at the couch like it had personally offended me.
“It’s judging me.”
“It’s a couch.”
“I know,” I whispered. “That’s why it hurts.”
I tried to stand but failed and Leon caught me immediately.
“Aria.”
“I need water,” I declared. “Or soup,or answers.”
“You need to stay still.”
I pointed at him. “You’re very bossy for someone who's getting married to me.”
