Chapter eighteen: mall moments

Aria’s pov

It has been three days of silence hung between us, making the house feel smaller. Xander's presence was there, but he kept to his study, and when we crossed paths in the kitchen, he'd just stare and vanish into his study.

He stopped cooking for me. Jackson brought food, and the fridge was stacked with microwaveable dinners. I hadn't gone back to the healers, Lucas only visited once and told us my case is complicated but I’ll try to find some solution soon.

I’m currently seating on Xander's bed, wearing a white tank top and one of his sweatpants—the only wardrobe I had since leaving the healers.

Then, a crash from Xander's study broke the silence. He'd been so quiet lately, and oddly enough, I found myself missing him.

I missed those soft forehead kisses, his warmth, and even our nightly arguments that weirdly felt like home. The silence became too much, so I decided to face him. I made my way to his study.

Jogging down the stairs, I sensed he must've heard me from the