CHAPTER 219

ADAM’S POV

As the soft glow of the screen illuminates my face, I sit alone in my living room, replaying the video from that fateful evening. The viral live feed captures everything; the glittering lights, Tony, an old lady and Aria. My heart tightens as I watch her, every movement exuding a confidence and strength that I hadn't fully appreciated before. She moves gracefully, her eyes scanning the room with a sharp, calculating gaze. It's in these moments, frozen in time, that I realize just how capable she is of protecting herself.

There's a sense of pride that wells up inside me, mingled with an almost painful admiration. Aria doesn't need anyone to shield her from the dangers of the world; she’s more than equipped to handle them on her own. And yet, the thought of her being put in such a position in the first place stirs a protective instinct within me. I can’t help but feel relieved that Tony never had the chance to scam her, that his schemes were thwarted before they could cause