CHAPTER 380

ARIA’S POV

In the days that follow, everything feels different. There's a heaviness in the air, a tension that wasn't there before. Adam, once my steady rock, seems distant, his mind always elsewhere. His avoidance is obvious—he’s more withdrawn, quieter, and constantly on edge.

I notice the way he skirts around me, his eyes clouded with worry. It’s not the usual stress from work; it’s something deeper, something more unsettling.

He’s spending more time in his study, often closing the door behind him. It’s unusual because he has never been one to shut me out, but now, he’s making an effort to keep me away from whatever he’s doing in there. I’ve seen him jump when I knock, scrambling to hide papers or close his laptop. His protectiveness over what’s in that room is unnerving.

At first, I thought it was just business, but the way he has been acting—almost scared—has me questioning everything. There are moments when I catch a glimpse of his face, and it’s as if he’s carrying the weight o