The night didn't stay the same.
Something had shifted.
Aria stood in front of Rowan, her chest rising and falling—
but the fear in her eyes wasn't what it used to be.
It was still there…
but now, it was tangled with something else.
Trust.
Rowan's hand still rested against her cheek.
Warm.
Steady.
"I won't let you go."
Those words didn't just reach her ears—
they settled deep inside her.
Her breathing didn't calm.
It grew heavier.
"You know everything… don't you?" Aria asked softly.
Rowan didn't answer immediately.
His gaze remained locked on hers.
"As much as I need to."
"And the rest?"
Her voice trembled slightly.
Rowan leaned closer.
The space between them almost disappeared.
"You'll remember," he whispered.
"And when you do…
you might not trust me anymore."
A pause.
Aria didn't look away.
Then slowly—
she shook her head.
"Even then… right now, I'm choosing you."
Rowan stilled.
That answer—
he hadn't expected it.
His fingers pressed just a little firmer against her cheek.
Something flickered in his eyes—
something deeper than control.
"You don't understand what you're saying," he said quietly.
A faint smile touched Aria's lips.
"No… I think I do."
Her hand tightened around his shirt.
"I don't remember everything—
but one thing is clear…"
She stepped closer.
"The fear of losing you."
Silence.
This time, Rowan didn't move.
Because that fear—
that feeling—
was something he had tried to bury.
And now…
she was saying it out loud.
"You're playing a dangerous game," he murmured.
"Maybe," Aria whispered.
"But I was never meant for safe games."
A dark smile curved on Rowan's lips.
"Then the rules change."
"What rules?"
Rowan moved closer.
His breath brushed lightly against her skin.
"You listen to me."
"You don't walk away from me."
"And—"
He paused.
Aria's gaze dropped briefly to his lips.
"—you trust me."
Her heart pounded harder.
"And you?" she asked softly.
Rowan raised an eyebrow.
"Me?"
"Will you ever hurt me?"
The question wasn't light.
It carried weight.
Truth.
Rowan stayed silent for a moment.
Then slowly—he spoke.
"I won't hurt you…
unless you force me to."
Aria's breath caught.
That answer wasn't safe.
But it was honest.
And somehow—
that honesty felt more real than comfort.
Suddenly—
A phone rang.
Sharp.
Breaking the moment.
Rowan's expression changed instantly.
Cold. Focused.
He pulled out his phone and looked at the screen.
His face hardened.
Aria's chest tightened.
"What happened?"
Rowan lowered the phone slowly.
His eyes darkened.
"They didn't stop."
"What do you mean?"
A brief silence.
Then—
"They're not just coming for you anymore."
Aria's throat went dry.
"What are you saying?"
Rowan stepped closer.
"They know you're here."
Everything froze.
"What…?" her voice shook.
Rowan's voice dropped lower.
"And they sent a message."
"What message?"
He leaned in—
his voice barely a whisper.
"If I keep you hidden…
then they…"
He stopped.
Aria's heart pounded faster.
"Then they what?"
For the first time—
something appeared in Rowan's eyes.
Fear.
"They'll bring your past back…
in a way you won't survive."
Aria staggered slightly.
"No…"
Rowan grabbed her hand firmly.
"That's their game."
"Then… what do we do?"
No hesitation.
"We strike first."
Aria stared at him.
"You mean…?"
A slow, dangerous smile spread across Rowan's lips.
"I find them—
and I end it."
His eyes burned with intensity.
"Because this time—
it's not just about protecting you…"
He leaned closer, his lips near her ear.
"This is about protecting what's mine."
Aria's breath hitched.
"My… what?" she whispered.
Rowan pulled back just enough to meet her eyes.
Then said, slowly—
"My Aria."