Kael's POV
The moment we stepped through the palace gates, the past slammed into me like a punch.
Home — or what used to be.
Before everything shattered.
Before Ronan was chosen heir.
Before he took Aria from me.
Before he took everything.
My chest tightened… and then I saw her.
Aria.
She was walking slowly down the garden steps, hand resting protectively over her swollen belly. She looked healthier… softer… almost glowing.
Her eyes lifted — and froze the second they found me.
Shock widened them. Her lips parted, like my name had caught in her throat.
I swallowed and forced my feet forward.
"Aria."
Her hand trembled as she tucked a curl behind her ear. "Kael… you're here."
"Yeah," I said quietly. "It's… been a while."
She nodded, then quickly looked away — like staring too long might tear open old wounds best left untouched.
But the wounds were still there.
Fresh.
Stinging.
