ARIA’s POV

It's been two weeks since our lives were turned upside down. Two weeks since Matteo saved me from Anthonio's clutches, but at what cost? I witnessed unimaginable horrors that day - Carter and Alonzo's brutal deaths, Anthonio's savage murder at Matteo's hands. The memories still haunt me, refusing to let me sleep at night.

I've been avoiding Matteo ever since, unable to face him, unable to reconcile the man who saved me with the one who committed such atrocities. I know he understands my fear, my silence. He's given me space and allowed me to process my emotions, but I can sense his patience wearing thin.

 As I...