Aria's POV.
I tried to reach out, "Kael," I began, my voice trembling, "I swear to you, I don't know what they must have said, but I'm not at fault."
He stopped mid-step, then turned slowly toward me. His eyes locked on mine, and I almost wished they hadn't. They were sharp, piercing—filled with something I couldn't name but felt like betrayal.
"Not at fault?" His voice was low, dangerous. "Then who is?"
I swallowed hard.
"I gave you time," he continued, his tone rising, "I gave you more than enough time to come to me and tell me the truth. To come clean. But you didn't."
His words struck like a blow to the chest and it dawned on me.
My lips trembled. "Wait a second, you… you knew I wasn't Celeste?" The words slipped out before I could stop them.
For a moment, his eyes narrowed, cold and unreadable. "I expected more from you," he said finally, his voice breaking just enough for me to hear the hurt beneath the anger. "From the one I loved."
