Aria barely slept that night. Every sound in the house made her eyes fly open. The tick of the clock, the creak of the floor, even the rustle of curtains in the wind. She lay under the covers staring at the ceiling until dawn painted the room gray.
When morning came, she moved like a ghost. She dressed slowly, her hands trembling as she buttoned her blouse. Her reflection in the mirror looked pale, almost sick. She forced some makeup on, but even that couldn't hide the shadows under her eyes.
Sebastian knocked on the door without waiting for an answer. He walked in, dressed sharp in his dark suit, his tie knotted perfectly. He looked like power itself, but Aria noticed something behind his eyes. A trace of fear, a trace of madness.
"You didn't sleep," he said. It wasn't a question.
Aria said nothing. She turned to pick up her earrings.
Sebastian stepped closer, lowering his voice. "I will find whoever is sending you those messages. Do you hear me? No one touches my wife."
