Aria's POV
But as Noah ran over to show me his LEGO spaceship, chattering excitedly about family dinner and could we invite Richards because he was nice, I pushed aside the fear as my phone buzzed one more time. Margaret.
"Vivian turned herself in. The DA accepted the plea deal. She's being processed now. Well done, Aria."
I showed Damien the text. He smiled and kissed my forehead. "See? The right choice."
"The right choice," I echoed.
But as I watched Noah play, safe and happy and innocent, one thought kept circling:
Marcus was still out there. And showing mercy to Vivian might have just painted an even bigger target on our backs.
The call came at 2 AM.
I jerked awake to my phone buzzing violently on the nightstand, Damien's arm tightening around me instinctively.
"Hello?" My voice was rough with sleep.
"Ms. Monroe, this is Detective Barnes with Ravenwood PD." A woman's voice, tense and urgent. "We need you and Mr. Blackwood to come to the station immediately."
