Damon's POV

Two weeks after.

I knew something was wrong the second the front door opened.

Not because of danger.

Not because of instinct.

But because of the smile on Richard's face.

Too soft.

Too warm.

Too... rehearsed.

"Aria!" he boomed, stepping inside with a suitcase in one hand and two long gift bags in the other. "My sunshine, how are you feeling?"

Aria's face lit up politely, but I could see the confusion flicker in her eyes.

She hadn't been expecting him.

No one had.

Richard ...