Ariana’s POV
The bus ride home felt like waking from a dream you didn’t want to end.
The ocean was a distant memory now, just salt on my skin and secrets in my veins. Lana sat next to me, humming to herself, like she hadn’t nearly burned the entire world down. I didn’t speak. Couldn’t. My thoughts were too loud. Roman was up front, arms crossed, sunglasses on, completely unreadable. He hadn’t looked at me once.
Not since everything.
Not since the truth almost shattered us.
The moment we pulled up to the estate, the illusion shattered.
Back to marble floors, cold air-conditioning, polite smiles, and carefully arranged lies.
And at the front door? My mom.
In pearls.
Grinning like she hadn't just cried over the phone a few days ago.
“Oh good, you’re all back!” she said, clapping. “N
