ARYA'S POINT OF VIEW

I was standing in front of my bedroom mirror, smoothing out the emerald green dress I had chosen for tonight.

The color brought a smile to my face despite my nerves. It reminded me of that night in the courtyard and the first time Giovanni and I truly kissed.

But the smile quickly faded, replaced by a cold feeling in her chest.

Giovanni hadn't been around all day.

Not when I returned from gelato with Marco and Christabel, with their laughter still ringing in my ears.

Not when I showered and changed, trying on three different dresses before deciding on this one.

There was no message confirming tonight's plans.

And according to Matteo, he wouldn't go to the restaurant with me either.

But I would "see you there".

The distance felt deliberate, as if it were reminding me of my place after yesterday's kisses and confessions in the kitchen.

I pressed a hand against my stomach, trying to calm my nervousness.

Perhaps I had read too much into his gesture of bringing my fami