Aria POV
I was in Noah's room, helping him pick out clothes for the rest of the week, when I heard the sound.
A soft click. Like a door closing.
I froze, listening. The penthouse was quiet—too quiet. James had stationed guards outside, but they'd been silent for the last ten minutes. Usually I could hear them talking, their radios crackling.
Now? Nothing.
"Mama?" Noah looked up from his toy box, sensing my tension. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, baby. Keep playing." I kept my voice light even as my heart started racing. "Mama needs to check something."
I walked slowly toward the living room, my phone in my hand. I should call security.
But something made me hesitate. Some instinct that said making noise right now would be a very bad idea.
The living room was empty. So was the kitchen. Everything looked normal, untouched.
But I could feel it—that prickling sensation of being watched.
I turned toward the hallway that led to my office, and that's when I saw him.
