Ever since Aria left, the D’Argon mansion had become too quiet. Her laughter used to echo through the hallways, her scent always lingering in the air. But now… it felt like a part of me had been torn out and taken with her.

Damon hadn’t spoken much either. He was still his usual smug self in public — cracking jokes, keeping up the charade — but behind closed doors, he was quieter. Distant. And if I was being honest… hurting.

I caught him staring at Lucien more than once. Not in judgment, but with that same disappointment someone has when watching a friend burn down everything they’ve built.

We were...