The apartment remained wrapped in soft silence after Noah finished speaking.
Outside, rainwater still clung to the glass walls of the city while distant thunder rolled somewhere far beyond Velmora's skyline. But inside the room, Aria felt like her entire heart had been ripped open all over again.
Only now…The pain felt different.
Before, she thought Rafael's love began the day he entered her life again.Now she realized it had started years ago.In devotion so deep it had nearly destroyed him.
Aria sat frozen near the window, tears slipping endlessly down her face while Noah remained nearby quietly, giving her space to process everything.Her breathing felt uneven.
Too many memories suddenly carried different meanings now.
The strange feeling of being watched sometimes.Even the way he looked at her…like he had already loved her long before she understood why.
Aria covered her mouth shakily as another sob escaped her chest.
Noah sighed softly.
