In the back corner—the wine-stained scarf from my birthday.

I pick it up, suddenly remembering her expression, the hurt in her eyes when I chose Lilith's gift. I dismissed it then, thinking it didn't matter.


Now that image haunts me, stinging my heart.

"Drake?" Lilith's voice from the doorway. "You missed breakfast."

I quickly tuck the scarf away, like hiding a secret. "Something came up."


"What are you doing in here?" She steps closer, glances around. "Where's Aria?"

"She's gone." Saying the words aloud creates an emptiness I've never felt before.


"Gone?" Her eyebrows rise. "Gone where?"

"If I knew, would I be here?" My tone is sharper than intended, more desperate.

She touches my arm, and I almost want to recoil. "Is this about what we discussed? The bond?"

I don't pull away, but every inch of skin protests her touch. "She's carrying my child, Lilith."

"We talked about this," she says softly. "Once the baby is born—"

"I need to find her first," I cut her off, with an urgency in my voice I don't recognize.

Lilith's expression hardens. "Why? This simplifies everything. No messy ceremony to break the bond."

I step back, suddenly unable to bear her proximity. "It's not that simple."

"It is," she insists. "You promised me, Drake. After everything my father did for you—"

"I know what I owe your family," I interrupt, feeling an irritation I've never experienced before. "But this isn't how I wanted it."

"You said yourself she was just a duty. An obligation."

Did I say that? Those words now sound so foreign, so wrong. My chest aches with some unnamed emotion.

"I need time to think," I say finally, my voice low.

Lilith studies my face. "Don't tell me you actually care for her."

I don't answer, but deep inside, a voice screams: yes, I care. Far more than I'm willing to admit.

"Drake, remember who stood by you all these years. Who understands you. Who deserves you."

I nod, distracted, my thoughts already drifting to where Aria might be. "I have meetings this afternoon."

"We'll talk later," she says, kissing my cheek before leaving.

Alone, I pull out the scarf again, run my thumb over the wine stain. It's the only connection to her I have left.

I need to find Aria.

I pick up the phone. "Marcus? Any news?"

"Nothing yet, sir."

"Keep looking." I pause, my voice almost pleading. "And Marcus? When you find her... tell her I need to talk to her. Tell her...." tell her I was wrong.

I hang up, stare at our wedding photo, truly seeing for the first time the love in her eyes, and the... indifference in mine.

What have I done?