Aria avoided him.
Completely.
The next morning, she woke up earlier than usual.
Not because she wanted to.
But because she couldn't sleep.
Every time she closed her eyes—
She saw him.
Felt him.
That kiss.
Her fingers unconsciously brushed her lips.
Her heart skipped.
"No," she muttered quickly, pulling her hand away. "Stop it."
This wasn't supposed to happen.
He wasn't supposed to affect her like this.
Not after everything.
So she made a decision.
Simple.
Clear.
Safe.
Avoid him.
Breakfast?
She skipped it.
Lunch?
She asked the staff to bring it to her room.
Dinner?
Same thing.
If she stayed in her room…
If she kept her distance…
If she didn't see him—
Then maybe…
Just maybe…
She could get her head straight again.
But avoiding Lucien Knight…
Wasn't as easy as she thought.
By evening, the silence started to feel suffocating.
The room too quiet.
Her thoughts too loud.
"This is ridiculous," she muttered, pacing slightly.
She was hiding.
In a house that technically belonged to him.
From a man she was married to.
Pathetic.
Frustrated, she grabbed her phone and stepped out of her room.
"I just need air," she told herself.
Nothing more.
The hallway was quiet.
Safe.
Good.
She moved quickly, heading toward the back garden she had noticed earlier.
Fresh air.
That's all she needed.
But the moment she stepped outside—
She froze.
He was there.
Lucien stood near the garden fountain, his back turned to her.
His sleeves rolled slightly.
His posture relaxed.
For a moment…
He didn't look like the cold, dangerous man she knew.
He looked…
Normal.
Her heart betrayed her instantly.
Picking up speed.
"Turn back," she whispered to herself.
"Just turn back."
But it was too late.
"Planning to run again?"
His voice.
Calm.
Knowing.
Aria closed her eyes briefly.
Of course he noticed.
She turned slowly.
"I wasn't running," she said.
Lie.
Lucien faced her now.
His gaze sharp.
Focused.
"You've been avoiding me all day."
Not a question.
A fact.
Aria crossed her arms slightly.
"I've been busy."
Another lie.
His eyes narrowed just a little.
Then—
He started walking toward her.
Her breath caught.
Instinctively, she took a small step back.
He noticed.
Of course he did.
"Interesting," he murmured.
Her brows furrowed.
"What is?"
"You weren't stepping back last night."
Her heart slammed against her chest.
"Don't—"
"Don't what?" he cut in smoothly. "Mention it?"
Her cheeks warmed slightly.
Annoyingly.
"It didn't mean anything," she said quickly.
Too quickly.
Silence.
Then—
Lucien stopped right in front of her.
Close.
Again.
Always too close.
"Then why are you avoiding me?" he asked quietly.
Her breath hitched.
"I'm not—"
"Stop lying."
His voice dropped.
Not harsh.
But firm.
Her chest tightened.
Because he was right.
"I just…" she started, then stopped.
What was she even supposed to say?
That she didn't trust herself around him?
That she hated how he made her feel?
"I don't want things to get complicated," she said finally.
It wasn't the full truth.
But it wasn't a lie either.
Lucien watched her carefully.
"Too late for that."
Her heart skipped.
"No," she said, shaking her head slightly. "It's not."
She stepped back again.
Creating space.
Needing it.
"This is a contract," she continued. "That's all it is. I don't want to blur the lines."
Something in his expression shifted.
Subtle.
But there.
"And last night?" he asked.
Her breath caught.
"A mistake," she said.
The word hung in the air.
Sharp.
For a brief moment—
Something cold returned to his eyes.
"I see."
Two simple words.
But they carried weight.
Aria swallowed.
Good.
That's what she wanted, right?
Distance.
Clarity.
Control.
So why did her chest feel tight?
"Goodnight, Lucien," she said quickly.
Before he could respond—
She turned and walked away.
Fast.
Too fast.
Because if she stayed any longer…
She might change her mind.
Behind her, Lucien didn't call her back.
Didn't stop her.
But his gaze—
His gaze followed her until she disappeared.
And for the first time since this started—
Something about him felt…
Off.
Colder than usual.
More distant.
Like he had just made a decision.