The Steel mansion felt different that night.
Not quieter — but warmer.
Ariana sat curled up on the couch, her legs tucked beneath her as she flipped through an art book Mrs. Rowan had brought her earlier. The fire crackled softly, casting gentle shadows across the room.
Damian stood near the window, phone in hand.
He hadn't answered a single work call in over an hour.
That alone was unheard of.
He glanced at Ariana, watching the way her brows furrowed slightly when she focused, the way she chewed lightly on her lower lip without realizing it.
"Come here," he said suddenly.
She looked up, startled. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No," he replied immediately. Too quickly. "I just… want you closer."
She hesitated only a second before standing and walking toward him. Damian guided her to sit beside him on the couch, his arm resting behind her, not touching — but present.
After a moment, she leaned into him.
He stilled.
Then slowly, carefully, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
Ariana felt his heartbeat — steady, strong, real.
"You've been different lately," she murmured.
Damian exhaled softly. "So have you."
She tilted her head. "Is that bad?"
"No," he said firmly. "It's dangerous."
She blinked. "Dangerous?"
"For me," he clarified. "You make me want things I never allowed myself to want."
Silence settled between them — not awkward, not heavy.
Honest.
"I don't want to be a weakness," Ariana said quietly.
Damian turned to her, his gaze intense but gentle. "You're not my weakness."
His thumb brushed lightly against her shoulder.
"You're my restraint."
Her breath caught.
No one had ever said something like that to her before.
The phone in Damian's hand buzzed.
Once.
Twice.
He ignored it.
Ariana noticed. "You don't have to—"
"I do," he interrupted softly. "I choose to."
That single word settled into her chest like warmth.
Choose.
Damian leaned back slightly, guiding her with him until her head rested against his shoulder. Outside, the world continued spinning — enemies plotting, rumors brewing, power shifting.
But inside the mansion, for this moment, there was only peace.
And for Damian Steel, peace had a name.
Ariana.