Aria’s POV.
The room I rented on campus was small, but it felt warm and comfortable in its own way. It wasn’t fancy or anything special-just a bed against the wall, a small desk for my work, and a wardrobe to keep my clothes.
But it was mine. It was a space I could call my own, far away from everything and everyone that reminded me of the pain I had left behind. On my first night there, I sat quietly on the bed, staring up at the plain white ceiling.
I tried my hardest not to cry, even though the tears were just waiting to fall.
But I had made a choice. I was done crying.
The next morning, I made a promise to myself to start over, to give this new chapter of my life everything I had. I wasted no time and threw myself into the routine of a new student. I went to register for my classes and spent hours in the art studio, sketching out fresh designs for the projects I had planned. I even joined a group of students who loved fashion design as much as I did. They were such a cheerful and lively bunch, full of energy and support. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt like I belonged somewhere, like I had found people who understood me and shared my dreams.
Of course, my heart still hurt. I couldn’t completely escape the past, especially not at night. When the world around me grew quiet and the walls of my little room seemed to close in, my thoughts drifted back to him. Zander. I thought about the anger in his voice, the accusations in his words, and the way he had looked at me when he decided to break the bond we shared. I remembered how much I had loved him, how much I had given up for him, and how he had thrown it all away as if it meant nothing.
But I wasn’t going to let those thoughts control me anymore.
I had dreams to follow, a future I wanted to build for myself. My past might have shaped me, but it wasn’t going to define me. I made up my mind to leave all of it behind, no matter how hard it was.
The university held a formal dinner to welcome the new students and celebrate the beginning of the semester. The event took place in one of the most beautiful halls on campus. The tables were covered with elegant white tablecloths, and the room was filled with the soft sounds of people talking, laughing, and getting to know one another. The atmosphere felt warm and welcoming, like the perfect way to start something new.
For the dinner, I decided to wear a dress I had designed and made myself. It was a simple dress, but it made a statement. The deep red fabric hugged my body in all the right places with a fitted bodice, while the flowing skirt danced with every step I took. It wasn’t flashy or over-the-top, but it made me feel confident and strong. It reminded me of the woman I was becoming, someone who could stand on her own.
As I moved around the room, laughing and chatting with my new friends, I felt something I hadn’t felt in months: peace. It was the kind of calm that made me believe that things might actually get better. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I could breathe.
That peace shattered the moment I saw him.
Zander.
He stood at the entrance of the hall, and it felt like the entire room shifted. His presence was impossible to ignore, his tall and commanding figure drawing every eye. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit that fit him like a glove, showing off his broad shoulders and strong frame. His dark eyes scanned the hall slowly, and when they landed on me, I felt like time stopped.
For a moment, everything around me disappeared.
I froze where I stood, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure everyone could hear it. I saw him start walking toward me, his steps steady and purposeful. My wolf stirred faintly inside me at the sight of him, but I pushed her back. I didn’t want to feel anything for him, not anymore.
I turned back to my friends and forced a laugh at something one of them said, even though my mind was racing. I knew he was getting closer. I could feel his presence like a heavy weight pressing against me.
Then, I heard his voice. Deep and familiar. “Aria.”
I turned around slowly, keeping my face calm even though my emotions were all over the place. My voice was steady as I greeted him. “Zander.”
He looked at me with an expression I couldn’t quite read. His jaw was tight, and there was something in his eyes-regret, maybe, or sadness. Whatever it was, it didn’t matter.
“I need to talk to you,” he said, his voice quiet but firm.
I reached into my purse and pulled out the diamond necklace he had given me on our wedding day. It sparkled under the lights of the hall, a sharp reminder of everything we had lost, of all the promises that had been broken.
“I think this belongs to you,” I said, holding it out toward him.
For a moment, he just looked at it, his eyes flicking between the necklace and my face. “Aria-”
“Goodbye, Zander,” I said, cutting him off before he could say anything more. My voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.
He hesitated before taking the necklace from my hand. His fingers closed around it tightly, his expression darkening. “You’re not even going to let me explain?”
I gave him a faint smile, though it didn’t reach my eyes. “There’s nothing to explain, Zander. You made it very clear how you felt about me. You didn’t believe me then, and I don’t see why that would change now.”
I didn’t wait for his response. I turned around and walked back to my friends, who were still laughing and chatting like nothing had happened. Their voices felt like a shield, protecting me from the emotions I didn’t want to face.
But even as I pretended to be fine, I could feel his eyes on me. His emotions hung in the air, heavy and impossible to ignore. I didn’t turn back to look at him, no matter how much I felt the pull.