Claimed by Him

ARYA’S POV I followed him to the car, my legs feeling like they might give out at any moment. The night air was cold against my flushed skin, but it did nothing to cool the anxiety burning through me. Giovanni opened the back door, his movements sharp and controlled. I slid in, and he followed, the door slamming shut with a finality that made me flinch. The silence was suffocating. "Giovanni, please," I started, turning to face him. "Whatever you're going to do, don't punish Jasmine. This wasn't her fault. I wanted to go” He kept staring straight ahead, his jaw clenched so tight I could see the muscle jumping beneath his skin. "She was just trying to help me feel better. She didn't mean to do anything." He still kept ignoring.. I tried again, my voice smaller. "Giovanni, please say something." The car pulled away from the curb, and he remained silent, his hands tapping a spot on his lap. The drive back to the estate felt endless. Every second stretched out, and I kept glancing at him