Chapter 160:Morning Complications

(Aiden's POV) I leaned back against the counter in Roman's grand kitchen, sipping a mug of freshly brewed coffee. The rich aroma and warmth brought an odd sense of comfort. For once, the icy tension from Roman's frosty glares wasn’t lingering in the air like a heavy fog—at least not for now. I stepped out into the hallway and noticed Scarlett trying her best to avoid me. She moved quickly, her gaze darting to the floor as if she could blend into the wallpaper. "Hey, Scarlett!" I called out, knowing full well why she was being so evasive. Her shoulders jerked as if struck by lightning, but she didn’t turn around. Instead, she picked up her pace. So, naturally, I followed her. "Scarlett, wait up!" I pressed, grinning mischievously. When she glanced over her shoulder for the briefest second, her green eyes were wide with surprise and—was that panic? She came to a halt halfway down the hall, clearly realizing she couldn’t outrun me. Her face was flush red, backing up against the wal