Andrea nodded in understanding, his voice softening just a little. “Thank you,” he said quietly, offering a small, reassuring smile.
He paused before turning toward the door, his eyes scanning her face one last time. “You’re surprisingly calm today,” he remarked, a hint of amusement playing in his voice, “You seem different. Usually, you’re more... tense.”
Ariel raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by the observation. “Really? I didn’t notice.”
Andrea tilted his head, studying her for a moment. “Yeah. You seem more... patient. It’s like someone else is wearing your skin,” he said, his voice almost playful, but there was something more beneath his words.
Ariel felt a subtle jolt of surprise at his comment. She wasn’t sure how to respond, so she simply chose to ignore it, brushing it of
