The mansion felt different that afternoon. Lighter… almost alive.
Aria sat near the tall glass windows of the lounge, sunlight spilling over her as she flipped through an old book she had found in Rafael's library. Her fingers traced the edges of the pages, lost in her own quiet world
"Didn't expect to find someone else stealing my favorite spot."
She looked up.
Noah stood there, leaning casually against the doorframe, a faint smile playing on his lips. There was something effortlessly warm about him… something easy.
Aria smiled back"I didn't know it was reserved."
"It is," he said, walking in. "But I'll make an exception… this once."
She laughed softly.
And just like that, the air between them shifted into something comfortable.
"What are you reading?" Noah asked, dropping onto the couch across from her.
Aria turned the book slightly so he could see. "It's about art history… and hidden symbolism in paintings."
