Ariana held her breath as the silence stretched between them. She didn't know why, but her heartbeat had slowed—not in fear, but in a strange sense of calm—as she stared into his eyes. She waited for a smirk, a teasing comment… but none came. His seriousness was unwavering.
H… he was telling the truth.
Her lips curled into a soft smile as she nodded, and for the first time in a while, her heart felt lighter—like a weight she hadn't realized she was carrying had finally lifted.
She lowered her gaze and began to write.
Zavren watched her hands, the delicate way she moved the pen across the paper. There was something calming about her handwriting—graceful, neat, almost elegant. It was rare, soothing to read.
Thank you.
His pupils dilated slightly as his cool grey eyes lifted to hers.
Just as he opened his mouth to ask why she was thanking him, she began to write again.
A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. Was she really thanking him for not sleeping with—
