CHAPTER 17: SAVE YOUR HEART, ARIA 1

That evening, Aria took a deep breath as she stood in front of James’s condo, the soft glow from the hallway lights casting a shadow behind her. She hesitated for a moment before finally pressing the doorbell, her fingers trembling slightly with a mix of nerves and anticipation. The weight of their arrangement—and her own emotions—hung heavily in her chest, and she knew tonight’s conversation could tip the balance of everything they had agreed upon. Her heart raced as the seconds stretched out, each one amplifying the tension within her.

Finally, the door opened, and there was James, standing there with a relaxed smile, as if he hadn’t just upturned her entire life. “Hey, come in,” he greeted warmly, stepping aside to let her in. His casual demeanor, his unbuttoned shirt revealing a hint of his chest, contrasted sharply with the storm of thoughts running through Aria’s mind. She moved past him, her senses immediately overtaken by the scent of his cologne and the familiar comfort of h