I stood in the corner of the room, watching Aria fall asleep in Damon’s bed—wrapped in a silence that weighed heavier than any punishment my father could ever give.

Her laugh still echoed in my ears. It wasn’t one of joy. It was the kind of laugh people make when they’ve been pushed too far—when they’ve broken so quietly, it almost goes unnoticed.

And I caused it.

I leaned against the wall, dragging a hand down my face. What the hell was I doing?

Three days.

Three damn days I’d avoided her.

Because I was scared.

Not of her—but of what I felt for her.

The cafeteria incident… that was...