Scarlet Ink

ged to block out the memory of the encounter with Kael Romanov. But, as the saying goes, fate has a funny way of intervening when you least expect it. It happened on a rainy Thursday afternoon.

and pulled out the chair across from her, sitting down with an air of confidence. He leaned in, his voice lower now. "You're not maki

linch. "It's not like that. Not everything you hear about me is true." "Oh, please. Everyone knows the Romanovs run the show around here." She slammed her hand down on the table, frustration creeping into her voice. "And I don't want to be a part of it." There was a long, tense silence between them before Kael finally spoke, his voice soft yet firm. "Not everything is about what you think you know, Aria. There's more to me than the rumors. More to us all, really." Aria looked at him, trying to read his expression, but the storm in his eyes was unreadable. "I'm not interested in your apologies or explanations, Kael. So, if you don't mind..." She gestured toward the door. For a moment, Kael just stared at her, his gaze intense. Then, with a resigned sigh, he stood up