ARYA

My heart hammered in my chest, dread holding me captive as I awaited his response. This was the moment that would decide our future. It was the moment that would break or fix us. And as much as I was terrified, I needed to hear the truth, even if it killed me.

Daxton didn't look at me. His eyes were fixed on the corner of the studio, like he was seeing ghosts I couldn't see.

"That night," he began in a hoarse voice, "I came to your house... broken. The darkness inside me was eating me ...