Chapter 4

Aria POV

Just after dawn, I left the apartment with a small suitcase.

I didn't call Ethan or say goodbye at the master bedroom. The master bedroom door was half open, Sofia still sleeping inside. Ethan sat by the bed watching over her, pulling the covers up over her. As I passed the doorway, he didn't look up.

I put the ticket in my bag. The wound on my arm had been simply treated, my lower back still aching. I walked slowly but didn't stop.

Around noon, Ethan seemed to notice I'd left.

I received a call from him.

When the call connected, I was already on the train.

Ethan's voice held suppressed anger. "Where did you go?"

"The old town." I leaned against the train window. "The project moved up. I came to see the site first."

"What about your arm and lower back?"

"Already treated."

"You went out of town alone with injuries?" Ethan's tone grew heavier. "Come back right now. I'll pick you up."

The sound of a door opening came from the master bedroom. Sofia's voice sounded weak. "Ethan, I woke up and didn't see you... I had another nightmare."

Ethan's breathing hitched. I heard it. I spoke first. "Take care of her. You don't need to come find me." After speaking, I hung up and put my phone on silent.

That afternoon, I arrived in the old town. The project manager took me to the restoration site. Police tape surrounded the courtyard, the old walls already showing reinforcement marks, staff moving materials.

The manager said, "We'll be here at least two months in the early phase. If you sign a long-term contract later, you won't be able to go home often. You can still back out now."

I looked at the old residence before me, my arm throbbing faintly. I said, "I won't back out."

The manager noticed my bandaged arm and saw I walked somewhat unnaturally. "Do you need to go to the hospital first?"

"No need." I set down my bag. "Let's do registration first."

When the registration form was handed to me, the staff member pointed to the emergency contact field. "It's best to fill in family here. The site has risks. If something really happens to you, we need to contact someone responsible immediately."

I held the pen and paused.

The staff reminded me again. "A spouse works too."

I didn't write Ethan's name. I filled in the project office phone number in that field.

The staff glanced at it. "You're sure you won't fill in family?"

"I'm sure."

I handed back the form and received the housing keys.

That evening, I received another call from Ethan. I'd just gotten the housing keys and was organizing materials in my room.

Ethan opened with, "The master bedroom has been dealt with. What happened last night won't happen again. Come back tomorrow and let's talk things through."

I looked at the keys in my hand. "I just joined the team here. I can't come back in the short term."

"That's not where you belong long-term." Ethan's voice hardened. "Home is."

I placed the housing keys on the table. "I'll be staying at the project site for this period."

Silence on the other end. Sofia's voice came through again. "Ethan, could you come look? I don't know where to put the new things."

I didn't wait for Ethan to respond. I ended the call and closed the door. The keys remained on the table. The sound of the lock falling echoed clearly in the empty room.