CHAPTER 411

ARIA’S POV

Waking up to the soft light of morning, I feel a rare sense of peace. The tension from the past few days has eased, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I’m happy. As I stretch lazily, something catches my eye—a folded piece of paper on the nightstand. A note, from Adam.

Intrigued, I reach for it, my mind racing with thoughts of what it could say. Maybe it’s a sweet message or a casual reminder. But as I unfold the paper and read the words, my heart skips a beat.

"You need not worry, my love. I’m meeting the Mitchells and telling them that I’m the only culprit in their son’s loss at sea. I want them to leave you alone… I’ll be back soon."

A wave of shock floods through me. I reread the note, trying to process what Adam is saying. He’s planning to meet the Mitchells, to confess to something he didn’t do, just to protect me. The enormity of it hits me all at once—he’s willing to risk everything, his own safety, his reputation, our future, all to shield me from t