Chapter 7

Aria POV

I moved into the old town project housing early.

The room wasn't large. Just a bed, a table, and a wardrobe. The door card was in my own hand, and the registration form had only my name on it.

I placed project materials on the table and pushed my suitcase against the wall.

The suitcase didn't hold much. A few commonly worn clothes, two contracts, and the old design drawing I'd brought from the apartment.

The jewelry and evening gowns Ethan had given me, I didn't take a single piece.

When the project manager took me to the site and saw my arm still wrapped in gauze, he asked, "Is your body holding up okay?"

I hung the work badge around my neck. "I'm fine."

When Ethan found me here, I was verifying restoration materials with project personnel.

I stood among the crowd, my arm not raised high, my shoulder and back still aching, yet I could already clearly communicate every issue with people.

When I finished communicating, Ethan walked over. "I want to talk to you."

I didn't avoid him. I followed him outside the courtyard.

Anger threaded through Ethan's voice. "Why did you suddenly move here? Because I protected Sofia first that day?"

I looked at him. "The project started early. I joined the team per contract."

"You're injured, living alone in a place like this, is that appropriate?"

"The project has safety procedures."

"Who did you put as emergency contact?"

I paused. "Not you."

Ethan's expression changed. "Aria Winters, we haven't separated yet. If something happens to you, the project team can only contact me."

"You won't need to be bothered with these things in the future."

Those words were soft, yet harder to hear than an argument.

Ethan fell silent for a long time, finally lowering his voice. "I'll handle things at the apartment. The master bedroom will be restored. I'll arrange for Sofia to move out."

I asked, "Where will you arrange for her to go?"

Ethan stopped. He seemed not to expect me to ask so directly. "I'll find another place and arrange someone to stay with her."

I nodded. "That sounds good."

My reaction was too calm, as if I were hearing about someone else's affairs.

Frustration showed in Ethan's eyes. "Are you still blaming me?"

I didn't answer. I took the old keychain from my pocket and handed it to him. "I found this in the closet. I should return it to you."

Ethan looked at the keychain, his fingers freezing.

That year when I stood downstairs with my luggage, too afraid to enter, he'd pressed the keys and keychain into my hands together, telling me not to stand outside waiting anymore.

I'd kept this keychain for many years. Now it was covered in dust, the edges still stained with blood from that day in the closet that hadn't been wiped clean.

Ethan didn't take it. "That was for you."

I placed the keychain in his palm. "That home needs to be rearranged now. There's no point in me keeping it."

Ethan's voice deepened. "The apartment won't become Sofia's home."

I looked at him. "She moved into the master bedroom, the closet was changed, and she invited friends to visit. These things already happened."

Ethan was blocked from speaking. After a long while, he finally said, "I'll take you back tonight and have her move out."

His phone rang at that moment. Sofia's name appeared on the screen.

Ethan didn't answer immediately. I glanced at it. "Answer it. She might need something."

Ethan hung up directly. "Today I'm handling your matters first."

The call came through again quickly. She kept calling Ethan. His expression grew uglier, until finally he answered.

Sofia cried breathlessly on the other end. "Ethan, I can't turn on the light. The room's so dark, like that old building back then... I can't find my medicine. Can you come?"

Ethan's brow furrowed sharply as he immediately asked if the door was open, if anyone was nearby. Sofia cried that she didn't dare move and could only wait for him.

After hanging up, Ethan looked at me. "Her condition might really be acting up."

I nodded. "You should go."

Ethan opened his mouth, as if wanting to say he'd come back after handling this. I'd already turned and entered the project courtyard. The gate closed behind me.