#Chapter 75: One Slip

Aria & Third Person Aria The week dragged on like an eternity, each day blending into the next. Darren and I spoke only when necessary—quick exchanges about work tasks or brief updates about Lucas. Nothing personal, nothing meaningful. He kept his distance, and I let him, burying myself in my own responsibilities and pretending like I didn’t notice the way tension followed me wherever I went. I knew I hit a nerve when I talked to him in his office on Monday, but I didn’t go back on what I said. Not this time. I needed him to understand that I wasn’t okay with him lying about me, with all of the constant hiding and jealousy and unexpected kisses. And if he wasn’t going to find a way to break the mate bond anytime soon, then I needed him to know that there was only so much more of this I could take. Honestly, I considered quitting a couple of times, just to remove myself from the bad situation. But I couldn’t. I told myself that it was because I nee