THIRD PERSON POV (NARRATOR'S POV)

The moment the door clicked shut behind Kane and Aria, silence settled over the penthouse like a heavy blanket. Rhea lingered in the living room, her fingers absentmindedly brushing the petals of the flowers Aria had left on the console. A faint tired smile tugged at her lips.

She turned, her slippers slapping loud against the marble as she made for the stairs and halfway up, the smile faltered. A sharp tug clutched her chest. She froze, one hand ...