The night dragged slowly, like the hours were afraid to move. The mansion stood still, quiet on the outside, but inside, storms raged in every corner.
Aria lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She hadn't changed clothes, hadn't even washed her face. Her makeup was ruined, mascara streaking her cheeks, but she didn't care. Her body was tired, but her mind refused to rest.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the stranger falling, blood spreading on the floor. Every time she blinked, she saw Sebastian's calm face, his cold words, Lorenzo's burning anger. And behind all of it, she felt something else, eyes. Watching.
She sat up suddenly, clutching the blanket to her chest. The window rattled again. It was only the wind, she told herself. Only the wind. But deep inside, her heart didn't believe it.
