Aria's pov
I froze.
The words hung between us like smoke that refused to disintegrate.
"I love you, Aria."
I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out.
My heart was hammering so hard that I feared a rib might crack. My hands felt cold and my stomach twisted partly due to fear and something softer that I didn't want to name.
I took a step back.
"I… I need space," I whispered.
Lucian's face changed,it was just a flicker but clearly noticeable. Something raw and wounded flashed in his eyes before the mask of the ruthless and heartless devil snapped back into place.
He nodded once."Okay," he said. "Take all the space you need."
I turned and walked fast toward the guest room. My bare feet slapped against the cold marble but I didn't look back.
The guest room door closed behind me with a hard click.I leaned against it breathing hard,tears already burning behind my eyes.
He loved me.
Lucian Voss—the man who'd caged me and even called me a whore loved me.
