Aria POV

I woke up feeling tired, sore, and empty like someone poured me out and forgot to fill me again.

My stomach growled so loud my heart almost jumped out. Hunger and stress are not friends, but here I am carrying both like trophies.

I blinked at the ceiling, the soft glow of morning light crawling through the curtains. I could feel the silent stillness beside me, the cold bed… again.

It used to hurt sharply. Now it just sits in my chest like a dull stone. Heavy. Permanent.

I wanted to ...