The convoy moved deeper into the mountains.The road had become narrower, surrounded by towering rocks and thick forests. There were no lights, no houses, no signs that anyone had used the route in years.
Yet Aria couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching them.
She looked through the window.
"How much farther?"
Noah checked the map.
"Twenty minutes."
Rafael sat beside her, unusually quiet.
Aria glanced at him.
"You're thinking about your father."
He looked at her.
"A little."
"Are you okay?"
Rafael gave a faint smile.
"I don't know."
She gently took his hand.
"You don't have to forgive him today."
"I know."
"But?"
He looked toward the road.
"I spent years believing he chose my family over me."
Aria squeezed his hand.
"Maybe now you can give him a chance to choose you."
Rafael looked at her.
"You always find a way to make things complicated."
She smiled.
"And you always pretend you don't like it."
A small laugh escaped him.
