CHAPTER 435

ARIA’S POV

I roam through the quaint streets of Wickenburg, Arizona, absorbing the atmosphere. This town is far from the towering skyscrapers and relentless pace of New York City, yet it carries its own charm. The sun shines brightly, casting a golden hue on everything it touches, and the air is crisp, laced with a faint scent of desert blooms. There’s a sense of timelessness here, like life moves at its own unhurried rhythm, unaffected by the outside world.

The people are friendly, though not overly familiar. They smile as I pass by, tipping their hats or nodding in acknowledgement, but they don’t pry. Everyone seems to have their routine—shop owners chatting with customers, ranchers discussing livestock, and tourists snapping pictures of the town’s old Western buildings. It’s a simple life, a far cry from the chaos I left behind, but there’s something grounding about it.

I stop by a small café, a local favorite judging by the crowd, and pull out my phone. Ethan’s face stares back at