The streets were quiet that evening. Streetlights made the wet pavement shine, and the air smelled faintly of rain. Aria Bennett hugged her bag tightly and hurried home from work. The cold made her shiver, but she didn't mind. She was used to walking alone.
Then she heard voices. Loud, angry voices. Curiosity made her slow down.
Three men were surrounding someone. At first, she thought it was a mugging. Then she saw him. A tall man in a dark suit, looking tense, his hands slightly raised.
Aria froze. Most people would have run. She didn't. Something in her just couldn't walk away.
"Hey! Leave him alone!" she shouted, her voice shaking more than she wanted.
The men turned toward her, frowning.
"Mind your own business, lady," one of them growled.
Aria's heart pounded, but she stayed in place. She swung her bag at the closest man. He yelped and staggered back.
The man in the suit—Adrian Cross—stood up straighter, eyes sharp. His jaw tightened. Who is this girl? Brave, reckless… and annoying, he thought. Why does she make my heart race?
"I… I couldn't just watch," Aria said, taking a shaky breath.
Suddenly, one of the attackers lunged at her. She ducked and shoved him back as hard as she could. The third man looked confused, unsure what to do.
Adrian finally stepped forward. He grabbed one attacker's arm and shoved him toward the street. The attackers ran, disappearing into the shadows.
Silence settled over the street. Aria's chest heaved. She was shaking—half adrenaline, half cold.
"You could have been hurt," Adrian said, his voice quiet, almost careful.
"I'm fine," she said, trying to sound braver than she felt.
He studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Most people would have run. You didn't."
Aria shrugged, a small smirk forming despite the fear. "I'm not most people." She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, a habit she had when nervous.
For a moment, they just looked at each other. The street seemed smaller somehow. Her heart was still racing.
"Thank you," he said finally, softer this time. Not dramatic, just… quiet. But it made her stomach flip.
"I should go," she said quickly, glancing toward her small apartment building. "The police will handle the rest."
He didn't stop her. Just watched her walk away, like he wanted to memorize her face.
Aria hurried home, hands still trembling. She couldn't stop thinking about him—about how calm he had been, even in danger. She didn't know who he was, but she knew she wouldn't forget that night.
Sometimes, one small act of courage is all it takes to change everything.
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