ftly against the polished marble floors. Every step echoed, th

ss". The maid said, opening

ed inside

mountains, crisp white sheets. There was a sitting area by the windows, a desk made of dar

uti

rf

letely u

hortly," The maid added qui

r suitcase still in her hand. None of

lves waiting to be filled. The silence pressed in on her chest. Back home, her room w

t like a

her shoes, collapsed onto the bed, and before she co

g against the ma

, squinting

ss

ated, the

he said

"Aria, I'm so sorry. I should

ia cut in, rubb

m o

pa

e are

ar

use. Longe

repeated. "Like

ring at the unfamiliar

didn't mean for anything to ha

ng Cassie's voice made everything feel farther awa

portant, about everything she wasn't there for anym

ck came at

voice called. "

ghting. Valentin Duclair sat at the head, composed as ever. Cecilia sat beside him, elegant and rest

arriv

air. He didn't rush, didn't apologize. His forearm rested casually against the table, sle

Like he'd already decided

?" Aria thought to herself as she stared at him. Lucien tu

e meal, Valentin s

er. "You'll be enrolling at Saint Cl

paused in

smile, not like she cared about

final year," Cec

at her, offerin

ss," he said. "I can help

t a quiet, hu

shifted. "Some

air. "Just interesting how e

e tightened. "

y. "I'm tired of prete

remained calm. "Your

nched. "Stop mon

" Valentin said evenly. "Oppor

"Right. Because

le went

s chair back, st

Sharp, assessing, like he wa

s gaze

said flatly, before t

follo

lia stared at her plate. Adrien looked uncomfortable

ound of Lucien's footsteps

t she didn't care th

heavily in