Ayra's POV
I didn't know how to start. How do you look someone in the eye and say, "Hey, the guy who haunted your nights and tainted your light is finally gone?"
I sat in the corner of the Reyes' living room, watching Selene's hands twist a thread on her sleeve. She had no idea what was coming—none of them did. Antonio had been delayed in a call with the legal team, but he said he wanted me to tell her first.
She deserved to hear it from someone who'd carried the storm with her.
Selene's parents were nearby, whispering in low tones. Mom Melinda—my mom—was pouring tea with a steadiness that made me wonder if she already knew. Antonio's mom, Devina, paced slowly, her face unreadable but tense. The room held a stillness that was fragile and expectant, like the hush before a downpour.
I cleared my throat.
"Selene…" I said gently, "something happened. Something… good."
Her eyes darted to mine—sharp, searching. "Ayra?"
I took a deep breath and knelt in front of her.
"Victor's been arrested. Permanently. Tried, charged, and sentenced to twenty-five years under federal law. He'll never come near you again."
She blinked. Once. Twice.
Then her lips parted. "What?"
"He walked into the trap Antonio and I set. Every step was documented. The court had all the proof they needed. He's gone, Selene. He's gone."
There was silence—staggering, weighty.
Then it cracked.
Her shoulders trembled. Her head dropped forward. She didn't sob. She didn't cry out. She just let out a shaky, disbelieving breath as her hands clutched mine.
"Are you sure?" she whispered.
"I saw it happen."
And then Devina moved first. She sat beside her and wrapped her arms around her tightly. "My firefly," she whispered. "You're free now."
Selene's mom burst into tears. Her dad stood with his hand clenched over his mouth, eyes glassy but fierce, like he was trying not to show how broken he felt for never knowing. And then, finally, Mom stood behind Selene and put her hands gently on her shoulders.
"I failed you once by not being around," she said softly. "But I swear to you now, none of us will ever let anything like that touch you again."
Just then, the door opened.
Antonio walked in—his suit a bit creased, tie loosened, jaw tense but eyes soft. He looked at her, at all of us, and then dropped his briefcase like it meant nothing.
Selene stood.
They didn't speak.
She just ran into him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and buried her face in his chest.
He held her close, kissed her hair, and whispered, "You're safe now. For real this time."
And in that moment, I swear, I could almost see the invisible scars start to fade.