Aria's POV
"Dammit, Damon," I muttered as I perched on his lap, his arms wrapping around my waist protectively. "You need sleep. Real sleep.
Not this half-awake, running-on-fumes version of you that keeps pretending everything's fine."
He chuckled softly, brushing his knuckles against my growing belly. "I'll sleep after this city stops trying to tear us apart. Until then, holding you like this is the only peace I've got."
I leaned my forehead against his, letting the hum of his breath soothe me. For the first time in days, I felt safe—warm.
Despite everything—the sabotage, the threats, the rooftop nightmare still fresh on my skin—this moment was mine. Ours.
His heartbeat was steady beneath my palm, a silent promise that no matter how chaotic the world became, we'd hold on to each other. Just a little longer. Just enough to breathe.
